Pain, especially the chronic kind, can affect your whole life. But we have a variety of solutions, including injections which can be helpful in offering pain relief in the short and long term.

Atlanto-axial Joint Block: The atlanto-axial joint is a joint between the first and second vertebrae of the cervical spine. Injections into the atlanto-axial joint may be used to treat pain at the back of the head.

Atlanto-occipital Joint Block: The atlanto-occipital joint is a joint between the base of the skull and first vertebrae of the cervical spine. Injections into the atlanto-occipital joint may be used to treat pain at the back of the head.

Botulinum Toxin Injections: Botulinum toxin is injected into localized areas of muscle in extremely low concentrations. This potent medication blocks the release of chemicals from nerves supplying muscle. This may result in decreased pain and muscle spasms lasting several months.

Epidural Neurolysis: A specially designed epidural needle is placed under X-ray control and through it a catheter is directed to the site of pain and scarring. Through this catheter, local anesthetics, steroids and concentrated saline are injected to shrink scar tissue and decrease pain.

Epidural Steroid Injections: The epidural space is within the spinal canal and surrounds the spinal cord. Steroid injections into this space can help to decrease inflammation of spinal nerves. These injections are usually given in a series of three for a cumulative effect. They are used for problems such as, herniated discs, sciatica, radiculopathy, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), and discogenic low back pain. They can be given in the neck (cervical spine), upper back (thoracic spine), lower back (lumbar spine), and from the level of the tailbone (caudal approach). [Learn More + Video]

Facet Injections: The facet joints allow movement of the spine bones. The facets joints start near the base of the skull at the cervical region and extend to the sacrum. These joints can be a source of pain. Injections into the joints can be used to diagnose and treat this type of pain. If local anesthetic and steroid injections give only short-term relief, then radiofrequency heating of the nerves supplying the joints may give more prolonged relief. [Learn More + Video]

Muscle Injections: Myofascial trigger point injections using local anesthetics and steroids may provide relief of muscle pain and spasm.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections: The sacroiliac joints are joints in the region of the low back and buttocks where the pelvis actually joins with the spine. If the joints become painful they may cause pain in the low back, buttocks, abdomen, groin or legs. Injections into the sacroiliac joints can be used to diagnose and treat this type of pain.

Selective Nerve Root Injections: These injections are performed to determine if a specific spinal nerve is the source of pain. Local anesthetic and steroid is injected very close to the nerve in question. This type of injection can also be used to reduce inflammation around the nerve root, thus relieving the pain. [Learn More + Video]