Category: Neck Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: February 23, 2026
We administer spinal injections pretty regularly to patients who are dealing with new or chronic issues in their spine, but these injections shouldn’t be viewed as a stand-alone or long-term option for your discomfort. It can be the perfect treatment for some patients, while it would be largely ineffective for others, so how can you know whether or not a steroid injection would be right for your neck or upper back pain? We explore who might be a candidate for a neck pain steroid injection in today’s blog.
Neck Pain And Steroid Injections
A steroid injection works by providing concentrated medicine with anti-inflammatory properties to the specific area that needs it most. It will help to drown out pain signals and relieve inflammation in the area, but it’s not going to be able to provide long-term relief on its own. Eventually the medication will fade, and unless you’ve paired that treatment with a plan to attack the root cause of your discomfort, you can expect neck pain to return. Also, because steroid injections typically get less effective the more they are administered, you shouldn’t expect to be able to get a steroid injection every six months in perpetuity to keep your discomfort at bay. You need to take advantage of the pain relief that is being provided and pair the injection with proactive interventions like physical therapy, gentle stretching, exercise or mobility programs.
Even though a steroid injection isn’t designed to provide long-term relief, that doesn’t mean it is a smart option for patients dealing with any and all forms of spinal discomfort. Steroid injections may be recommended for patients dealing with the following issues:
Aside from the above conditions, a steroid injection may be recommended for patients who are dealing with certain symptoms. Patients with debilitating pain, those who are struggling to perform daily tasks because of cervical discomfort or patients who can’t pursue active interventions because of their pain may benefit from a steroid injection.
How It Works
The specifics of your steroid injection will vary, so talk with your spine specialist and care team to get a better understanding of what you should expect before, during and after the procedure. That said, the injection is usually pretty simple and straightforward. In most instances, the area around the neck or upper back will be sterilized and a topical anesthetic may be applied. With the help of imaging devices that help ensure precise location, the surgeon will then guide the needle into place before releasing the injection. The needle is then carefully removed, and the injection site can be treated with a bandage.
For most patients, symptom relief is almost immediate, and you should be able to notice the effects of the injection within minutes. However, remember that these effects won’t last forever, and you’ll want to make the most of your new-found pain relief. Follow your doctor’s instructions and pursue light exercise, stretching techniques or physical therapy to take advantage of your short-term pain relief. If you pair the injection with proactive interventions, you may notice that discomfort fades even as the effects of the injection decreases over the next few weeks or months.
To learn more about cervical steroid injections or to see if a spinal injection may be right for your individual needs, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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