Spine Injections

For diagnosing and treating your neck or back pain.

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About Spine Injections

Epidural Steroid Interlaminar Injections (ESI) are used to calm inflammation and reduce pain so that you can take part in a rehabilitation program to improve your neck and back health.

In an ESI (Epidural Steroid Injection) a steroid is injected into the epidural space around the irritated nerves in your neck or back. The injection calms the inflammation and reduces pain. It takes 2-7 days to feel the full effects and the resulting pain relief varies from patient to patient. Side effects are few and rare. The goal is to reduce your pain enough so that you can make progress in your rehabilitation (physical therapy or other exercises) program.

If Dr. Esparza MD determines that you are a good candidate for an Epidural Steroid Injection he will give you information and answer all your questions. The procedure is performed in the office and there is very little discomfort except for some tenderness at the injection site.

Cervical, Lumbar or Thoracic Selective Nerve Root block is prescribed when Dr. Esparza MD suspects that your pain is caused by an irritated nerve root in your neck, upper or lower back. The irritation might be caused by compression or impingement (“pinching”) of the nerve from age-related degeneration such as osteoarthritis (called “wear and tear arthritis”) or other conditions. This procedure lets the doctor identify the cause of your neck or back pain and can also alleviate inflammation and pain.

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Types of Injections

  • Lumbar or Thoracic Facet Joint Injections can ease the pain caused by damage to the facet joints which are small joints between the vertebrae on the back of the spine. When they are healthy, the facet joints limit friction, support the spine and provide stability and flexibility. If they are inflamed you might experience pain when you bend, twist, flex or even walk. Facet joint injections can accompany physical therapy, making it possible for you to strengthen the muscles around the weakened joints.

  • Medial Branch Nerve Blocks are used to determine whether your pain is caused by the facet joints of the spine. If the facet joints are inflamed, the medial branch nerves will relay pain signals to the brain. During this procedure the doctor will use contrast dye and X-ray guidance to see if the facet joints are causing your neck or back pain. From here, Dr. Esparza MD can make the best decision about your treatment.

  • PRP Injections (Platelet Rich Plasma) is a process where a very small amount of your blood is drawn right before your procedure. It is spun in a centrifuge to concentrates the platelets in your blood. The product that results is rich in growth factors that have been shown to enhance the body’s natural healing process. PRP is safe and has been used to treat a variety of conditions for many years, (even cosmetic and procedures involving the eye!) Some advantages of PRP for neck and back conditions include faster healing, tissue repair, and even bone regeneration. By using your own blood you reduce the chance of blood-born infection and bring out your own natural healing abilities to treat your condition. Ask Dr. Esparza if this “cutting edge” technology is right for you.

  • There are many trigger points in your neck and back – areas where muscles can “knot” or spasm. Trigger points can be sore to the touch and can sometimes be felt as knots under the skin. The pain from these knots can be long-lasting and can radiate, causing pain to the extremities. If you’ve ever had them, you know they’re tough to get rid of. Trigger point injections involve injecting medication directly into the muscle to reduce pain and inflammation. Sometimes Dr. Esparza MD will use “dry-needling” into the trigger point, which means he does not inject medication, but reduces the pain by inserting a needle only.

    Trigger point injections are also used to treat headaches and painful conditions such as fibromyalgia.