Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers: Do Steroid Epidural Injections Help with Disc Pain—and Can Disc Bulges Ever Heal?
Can Disc Bulges Ever Ever Heal?
If you're struggling with herniated discs or bulging discs causing back or neck pain, you're not alone. Disc-related spinal pain is one of the most common conditions treated at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers. One of the most effective nonsurgical treatments we offer is the epidural steroid injection (ESI).
But how do these injections work? And does a disc bulge ever go away on its own? Here's what you need to know.
What Is a Bulging or Herniated Disc?
Between each vertebra in your spine are intervertebral discs—soft cushions that absorb shock and allow flexibility. A bulging disc occurs when the outer layer of a disc weakens and the inner material pushes outward. A herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc) happens when the inner gel-like core leaks through a crack in the outer layer.
Both conditions can put pressure on nearby spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. This often leads to conditions such as:
Lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica)
Cervical radiculopathy (pain radiating into arms)
Chronic neck or back pain
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
How Steroid Epidural Injections Help With Disc Pain
Epidural steroid injections deliver a powerful anti-inflammatory medication (usually a corticosteroid) directly into the epidural space—the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. Here’s how they help and please read carefully. There are mutliple avenues of relief. Not just for acute pain but also for chronic nerve pains diagnosed via EMG/NCV:
1. Reduce Inflammation
When a disc bulge or herniation irritates spinal nerves, it triggers inflammation that worsens pain. The injected steroid calms this inflammation, decreasing nerve irritation and pain signals.
2. Relieve Nerve Compression Symptoms
By reducing swelling around the nerve roots, epidural injections can relieve radicular symptoms such as:
Shooting pain down the leg or arm
Tingling or numbness
Muscle weakness
3. Improve Function
Pain relief often allows patients to move more freely, return to physical therapy, and perform daily activities with less discomfort.
4. Delay or Avoid Surgery
For many patients, ESIs offer enough relief to avoid or postpone the need for spinal surgery.
Types of Epidural Steroid Injections
There are several approaches to delivering the steroid medication, including:
Transforaminal ESI: Targets the area where the nerve exits the spine; often used for radiculopathy.
Interlaminar ESI: Administered between vertebrae, bathing a broader area of the spine.
Caudal ESI: Injected at the base of the spine; useful for multiple pain levels or patients with prior surgery.
Your provider will determine the best approach based on the location and severity of your pain.
Do Disc Bulges or Herniations Ever Go Away?
Many patients ask: Will my disc ever go back to normal? The answer depends on the severity and your body's natural healing response.
The Good News:
Disc herniations can shrink over time.
Studies show that in many cases, the body gradually reabsorbs part of the herniated material, especially in the first 6–12 months.
Bulging discs may stabilize.
The disc may not fully "go back into place," but inflammation and nerve pressure can reduce, leading to symptom relief.
Contributing Factors to Healing:
Staying active with guided physical therapy
Reducing inflammation through medications or injections
Maintaining a healthy weight and posture
Avoiding repetitive strain
However, some people continue to experience symptoms despite conservative care. In these cases, procedures like epidural injections or minimally invasive spine treatments may be necessary.
When Should You Consider an Epidural Steroid Injection?
Epidural injections are typically considered when:
You’ve had chronic neck or back pain lasting more than a few weeks
Pain radiates into the arms or legs (nerve root involvement)
Other treatments like rest, NSAIDs, or physical therapy haven’t worked
You're trying to avoid or delay spine surgery
What to Expect From the Procedure
Epidural injections are performed under image guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) to ensure accuracy. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and involves minimal downtime. Many patients report improvement within a few days, though results vary.
For some, the relief lasts weeks to months; others may need a series of injections spaced over time. In some cases, this therapy helps reduce pain long enough for the disc to begin healing naturally.
Let Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers Help You Heal
At Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers, we specialize in non-surgical pain relief for herniated discs, chronic back and neck pain, radiculopathy, and other spinal conditions. If you're suffering from disc-related pain, we offer epidural steroid injections as part of a personalized treatment plan that may also include:
Physical therapy
Medication management
Diagnostic imaging
Minimally invasive procedures
We’re here to help you find relief—and avoid surgery when possible.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’re struggling with a bulging or herniated disc, don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Contact Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers in Oklahoma City, Norman, Yukon, or Weatherford today to see if an epidural steroid injection could be right for you.
Written by Dr. Blake Christensen, the authority writer
