There are multiple ways to treat chronic back pain without the use of prescription medications and invasive surgeries. Two options are the sacroiliac injection and the nerve block. Despite similarities in the two procedures, they are distinct and different. They are utilized for different purposes.
The Problem With Back Pain
Back pain is among the most common complaints heard in doctor’s offices around the country. It is so common that nearly every adult will experience back pain at some point. The problem with back pain is that it is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat.
Many different things can cause back pain. But that is only the beginning. Further complicating matters is the fact that pain can radiate throughout the back and into the extremities. Pain associated with a latissimus trigger point is the perfect example. A trigger point in the lower latissimus can actually cause pain in the shoulder.
Both sacroiliac injections and nerve blocks are designed to do the same thing: reduce pain by addressing it at its source. But the mechanisms by which they accomplish pain relief are slightly different.
Sacroiliac Injection
The sacroiliac injection is a more specific type of treatment, according to the pain medicine experts at Lone Star Pain Medicine in Weatherford, TX. Lone Star explains on its website that the therapy is designed to relieve pain by reducing inflammation.
For the record, the sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis. Its location and the nature of its purpose make the joint especially susceptible to degradation. Normal functions like walking, standing, and sitting down gradually wear away bone tissue. So with age, it is common to experience sacroiliac pain.
Relieving the pain is a matter of reducing inflammation. That is what the sacroiliac joint injection does. The therapy involves injecting a combination of anesthetic and steroid medications into the affected joint. Immediate pain relief is offered by way of the anesthetic. In the meantime, the steroid medications work on reducing inflammation. Less inflammation means less pain.
Lone Star says that some patients enjoy relief that can last for months. The other side of that coin is the reality that multiple injections could be needed on an annual basis to provide continual relief. But some patients would rather endure multiple injections than take prescription pain medication long term.
Nerve Blocks
Where sacroiliac injections are aimed specifically at a single type of joint, nerve blocks are more general. Pain medicine clinics offer a variety of nerve blocks that target different parts of the body. A nerve block’s mechanism is in the name itself.
Nerve blocks are injection therapies designed to interrupt communication between targeted nerves and the brain. Pain signals from targeted nerves never reach the brain because they are blocked.
A targeted nerve could be painful because it is being compressed. Another nerve might be sending pain signals because it is inflamed. Regardless of the root cause, a nerve block interrupts pain signals, thereby offering relief.
Speak With a Pain Management Doctor
All sorts of back pain can be treated with injection therapies. But not every therapy is appropriate for every kind of back pain. If you suffer from chronic back pain, consult with a pain management doctor about your options.
If your doctor recommends sacroiliac injection, rest assured that the therapy has been around for a long time. It represents a safe and effective way to relieve back pain without long term medication and invasive surgery. And if it’s not right for you, your doctor might recommend a nerve block instead. But you will never know if you do not ask.