Do injections hurt?

All injections begin essentially the same way, with lidocaine injection into the skin and deep tissues, to provide local numbness. This is the same medicine used if you would need stitches. This allows us to place injection needles into target areas with minimal discomfort. Most people feel pressure or slight pinching sensation when medicines are injected. If someone is scared of severe pain or feel they cannot hold still, we can provide moderate sedation for most of our injections. See further questions below.

What are the most common injections you perform?

Epidurals are the most common injection we perform. In general, there are 3 types of epidurals. 

How long do injections last?

The initial 1 or 2 epidurals patients usually last 3-6 weeks. Thereafter, most patients receive 2-3 months of relief. Significant relief is 50% or more relief.

Does everyone get pain relief with injections?

The majority of patients receive relief with injections. However, some patients do not receive enough relief or relief lasting long enough to continue with injections.

What other injections are offered?

See “What we offer”

Are there any risks?

Every time someone does an injection, there are tiny risks. For epidurals, the risks are the same for our patients as for pregnant ladies getting epidurals for labor. Some of the other risks may include transient bruising and local muscle pain.

Does my insurance pay for the treatments, and do you take my insurance?

Most insurance plans cover our procedures. Some insurance plans require prior authorization before we can perform a procedure. We take most major insurances, Medicare, most Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicaid. We also accept cash and credit cards.

Can my family watch my injection?

We perform our injections in an operating room with a sterile field. We also use live X-Ray for needle guidance and medication injection. For these reasons, we do not allow family or visitors in the operating room.

How long do the injections take?

Most injections take 5-10 minutes. There are a few select procedures which can take as much as 45 minutes. Most patients must wait 20 minutes after the procedure for recovery time.

If I am not hurting much when my follow-up appointment comes up, do I need to keep the appointment?

We never inject if there is not much pain present. If you are not having much pain when your appointment comes up, call us a day ahead and postpone your appointment or cancel your appointment. If or when your pain returns, please call for us to work you in. A new referral is not necessary unless it has been more than 2 years.

What is sedation?

We use moderate sedation when a patient is very nervous or very scared of needles and they request sedation. The majority of patients do not request sedation. If you get sedation, you must have a driver present to drive you home. No exceptions. You may not drive for 4 hours afterward.