Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain
Rise in Epidural Injections for Low Back Pain
Therapies abound for low back pain and the rate of epidural steroid injections is increasing in doctors’ offices and hospitals. In 2010 nine million people received epidural steroid injections for low back pain. This low back pain treatment does not come without risk. The most serious complications reported have been paralysis and death. In 2007 a physician survey revealed that there were 78 cases of serious injury and 13 deaths that year. From the years 2005-2008 there were 31 cases of spinal cord injury and eight strokes. Less serious complications involve nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, transient amnesia, infection and more.
 Epidural Injection: Risky Procedure
The severity if these complications have caused the FDA to conduct a review of the safety of these injections. Concern exists over the placement of the needle that occurs within millimeters of critical arteries feeding the spinal cord. Another concern is the type of steroid used in these injections. Particulate steroids are most commonly used for epidural injections and are a form of drug that slowly dissolve. This slow dissolution may create blockages if they are injected into arteries. These blockages have the potential to trigger a stroke. Stroke, paralysis and death are scare side effects for a low back pain treatment.
A Safe Back Pain Treatment: Prolotherapy
Most doctors agree that epidural injections are only temporary in relieving pain from spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, herniated discs, degenerated discs and sciatica. There’s great news for chronic low back pain sufferers – Prolotherapy safely and effectively treats all of these conditions and more! When compared to epidural steroid injections, Prolotherapy shines as the clear choice for pain relief:
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 Epidural injections are temporary.
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Prolotherapy permanently heals injured structures by addressing the root cause of pain.
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Epidurals are often injected four times in a six month period but are sometimes limited because the steroids weaken spinal bones and nearby muscles while upsetting hormone balance.
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Prolotherapy is performed every 3-6 weeks, the solutions are side-effect free and the average number of treatments is 3-6, although more may be (safely) administered for more severe cases.
Chronic low back pain is a serious and debilitating condition but there is hope with Prolotherapy. Before you go through a risky and temporary procedure such as epidural injections, give Prolotherapy a shot! Or if you are suffering from low back pain despite having an epidural injection or other low back pain treatment, contact us. Prolotherapy is a safe and simple procedure that will address the root cause of your pain and give you permanent relief! For more on Prolotherapy contact Caring Medical today.
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