The Right Injection, in the Right Place, Can Change Everything
Many patients arrive having heard that injections “don’t work” or having tried one that didn’t help.
What those experiences often reflect is not a failure of injections as a category, but a mismatch between the injection used and the actual source of the pain.
At Brock Pain Medicine, injections are selected based on diagnosis, not protocol. When the right injection reaches the right location, the results can be significant.
Discover the Right Injection for YouOr Call Brock Pain Medicine: (469) 742-9950
How Pain Management Injections Work
Most pain management injections work through one of two mechanisms: reducing inflammation at or around the pain source, or interrupting the nerve signal that is transmitting pain to the brain.
Some injections do both.
Because injections are placed under imaging guidance, they reach the exact target rather than distributing medication throughout the body the way oral medications do.
This precision is what makes injections effective at doses that minimize systemic side effects.
The duration of relief varies by injection type, the condition being treated, and the individual patient. Many injections provide relief lasting weeks to months.
Injections Offered at Brock Pain Medicine
Epidural Steroid Injections
A corticosteroid is injected into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots, reducing inflammation around compressed or irritated nerves. Performed under fluoroscopic guidance for precise placement.
Best for: Herniated disc, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, nerve root compression
Expected relief: Varies — days to months depending on the individual and condition; may be repeated as part of an ongoing plan
Facet Joint Injections
The facet joints between vertebrae can become arthritic and inflamed, causing localized back or neck pain. A direct injection of corticosteroid reduces inflammation and confirms whether the joint is the primary pain source — helping guide decisions about radiofrequency ablation.
Best for: Facet arthropathy, spinal arthritis, axial back or neck pain
Expected relief: Weeks to months; often serves a diagnostic purpose alongside therapeutic benefit
Medial Branch Nerve Blocks
The medial branch nerves carry pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. An anesthetic placed directly on these nerves temporarily interrupts that signal. Significant relief confirms the facet joint as the source and establishes candidacy for radiofrequency ablation.
Best for: Confirming facet-generated pain; evaluating candidacy for RFA
Expected relief: Short-term — duration of the local anesthetic used; primarily diagnostic
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA uses heat generated by radio waves to disrupt the medial branch nerves supplying painful facet joints, providing longer-lasting relief than injections alone. Performed after medial branch blocks confirm the facet joint as the pain source.
Best for: SI joint dysfunction, sacroiliitis, post-lumbar-fusion SI pain
Expected relief: Typically 6–12 months; some patients experience longer benefit. Can be repeated if nerves regenerate.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
A corticosteroid injected directly into the SI joint reduces inflammation and confirms whether it is the primary source of lower back, hip, or pelvic pain — a diagnosis frequently mistaken for lumbar spine pathology.
Best for: Confirmed facet joint pain that has responded to medial branch blocks
Expected relief: Weeks to months; also serves as a diagnostic confirmation tool
Nerve Block Injections
Targeted injections deliver anesthetic and/or corticosteroid to specific peripheral nerves generating pain. Used for conditions including intercostal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, and other nerve-mediated syndromes. Can be both therapeutic and diagnostic.
Best for: Myofascial pain, muscle spasm, referred muscle pain
Expected relief: Varies by condition and nerve targeted
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger points are tight, painful knots in muscle tissue that cause localized and referred pain. A direct injection of anesthetic releases the tension and interrupts the pain cycle. Used for myofascial pain that has not resolved with physical therapy alone.
Best for: Peripheral nerve pain, post-surgical nerve pain, specific nerve-generated conditions
Expected relief: Days to weeks; may be repeated as part of an ongoing plan
What to Expect From an Injection Procedure
Before
Most injection procedures at Brock Pain Medicine are performed in our state-of-the-art in-office surgical suite under fluoroscopic guidance. More complex procedures or higher-risk patients may be performed at Methodist McKinney Hospital. Your physician will explain which setting is appropriate for your specific procedure.
You will receive instructions about what to eat, drink, and avoid before the procedure. Most patients are advised to arrange a driver for the day of the appointment.
During
The procedure itself is typically brief. Most injections take 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish. You will be positioned comfortably, the target area will be cleansed and numbed, and the injection will be placed under imaging guidance. Mild pressure or a brief sensation is common during placement.
After
Most patients go home within an hour of the procedure. Some temporary soreness at the injection site is normal for 24 to 48 hours. Your care team will provide specific post-procedure instructions and tell you what to expect as the medication takes effect. Follow-up is scheduled to evaluate your response and adjust the plan as needed.
“...I have had multiple epidurals and facet blocks from him and they have all had magnificent results…
” — Verified patient review, Healthgrades”
” — Verified patient review, Healthgrades”
The Right Injection Starts With the Right Diagnosis
Not all injections are the same, and not all pain has the same source. At Brock Pain Medicine, we begin by understanding what is actually driving your pain and then selecting the injection that addresses that specific source.
If you are considering injections for chronic pain and want to understand which option is appropriate for your situation, an evaluation is the right first step.
Discover the Right Injection for You