We must say beforehand that there is not a lot of evidence to support that the use of amniotic fluid injections for back pain has benefits. However, one study found that these injections were associated with improvements in pain and function in a group of people with chronic low back pain.
Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are common treatments for specialists to manage the chronic pain of their patients. They consist of a shot that your doctor will apply on your back, which will have results depending on your specific case.
Amniotic fluid injection is one type of ESIs and is widely used by specialists all over the world as patients describe betterment. No dangerous side effects have been found related to these injections yet.
Pain and inflammation reduction can come as a result of this treatment, and results can come as quickly as just a few hours after the procedure. Different testimonies of patients show that within weeks or even days after the procedure, their sensations get a lot better.
Nevertheless, the best option is to always consult with a trusted specialist. Your doctor will be the right individual to determine whether amniotic fluid injections are the best course of action for your specific situation.
Visit our healing centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Let us explain what are amniotic fluid injections. Learn about them and maybe think if you’re a candidate for this treatment.
Amniotic fluid injections
ESIs involve the injection of corticosteroid medication (such as methylprednisolone) into the epidural space, which is the area around the spinal cord. The medication reduces inflammation and pain.
ESIs may be done on an outpatient basis or as part of an inpatient hospital stay. The most common side effects of ESI are headache, nausea, and vomiting, but they are known to be safe.
As we mentioned before, amniotic fluid injections are a type of ESI. Doctors choose this treatment because of the components of the fluid, which can be beneficial for a patient that’s enduring intense pain.
Amniotic fluid (AF) is rich in materials that experts think help to reduce inflammation and pain. Doctors can perform ESIs with amniotic fluid right in the area where they analyze where the pain lies.
Our bodies respond to these materials by assimilating them, and it is believed that they stimulate the healing process in your body. If your biggest issue is back pain, for example, the materials of the fluid will permit less intense pain, or not even pain at all.
Components of the amniotic fluid injection
There are stem cells are derived from the amniotic fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. This is a rich source of stem cells, which are the body's natural repair cells.
When our bodies suffer damage, stem cells are the ones in charge of the rebuilding. The stem cells activate during an ESI shot, and your body responds to them naturally.
The cells are extracted and processed before the procedure. Doctors carefully use them to ease the pain of their patients in minimally invasive procedures. Patients treated with this treatment won’t require surgery or hospitalization.
Amniotic fluid injections for back pain are not quite the only treatment doctors perform with the fluid. Injections of amniotic stem cells are effective in treating a variety of conditions, including:
Joint injuries.
Tendon injuries.
Ligament injuries.
Muscle injuries.
Spinal cord injuries.
Brain injuries.
Burns.
Wounds.
However, the best thing you can do in case of need of chronic pain treatment is to consult with your doctor. They’ll have the correct approach for your treatment, even if it’s not an AF injection. Check out the options we offer at our treatment centers in NJ and PA.
Risks associated with amniotic fluid injections
There are no known dangerous side effects of amniotic fluid injections. Patients nor doctors have reported experiencing or noting risky secondary effects after an amniotic fluid injection.
Just in rare cases, infection, nerve inflammation, allergic reaction, and uterine rupture have been associated with the injections, but in these cases, there were pre-existing conditions.
How long does it take for amniotic fluid injections to work?
There is no set answer to this question as each person's body will respond differently to the injections. However, the effects of the injections might come as quickly as right after the doctor finishes the procedure.
Other patients have described that they’ve felt the effects after a few days or weeks after the injection. This works as other injections for back pain: their effects depend on each patient, but we can sometimes talk about immediate relief.
Some women may begin to feel relief from the pain and pressure almost immediately, while others may not experience any relief until after several weeks of treatment.
Other treatments that also use injections for back pain
Among amniotic fluid, there are other substances used in injections to treat back pain. Doctors use different components to treat their patients depending on the dosage and the effects of the shot.
The best option is to always consult with your doctor. They are the experts and will recommend you the best treatment for your specific case. If you experience back pain and you’re near New Jersey and Pennsylvania, come to our treatment centers and let us deal with your pain.
Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)
Epidural steroid injections are a treatment for back and neck pain that is caused by inflammation. The injection is given into the epidural space, which is the space around the spinal cord. The injection contains a steroid and a numbing medicine.
This is a type of injection that doctors use to treat nerve root pain.
Facet Joint Injections
Facet joint injections are a treatment option used to relieve pain in the joints that connect the vertebrae in the spine. The injection contains a numbing medication and a steroid medication.
Specialists usually use it to treat conditions of the spine.
Trigger Point Injection:
This is a type of injection used to treat muscle pain. Trigger Point Injections are an injection of a numbing agent and a corticosteroid into a trigger point.
Trigger point refers to the specific location of your body that contains the pain. The medicine numbs this area and you feel relief.
Peripheral Nerve Block:
A peripheral Nerve Block is a type of injection doctors use to treat pain, especially in the arms or legs. They isolate the nerves and prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Doctors use this injection to treat the chronic pain of their patients.
A spinal cord stimulator is a device that sends an electrical current through the spinal cord to help relieve pain. Your specialist will inject the device into the exact spot of your body to ease your pain.
The device starts transmitting electrical pulses to the spinal cord. This helps to reduce pain signals that are sent to the brain, which is “tricked” into not sensing pain.
FAQ about amniotic fluid injections for back pain
Can injections treat deep back pain?
In a lot of patients, yes. This treatment has shown to be effective in cases of severe and chronic pain. The best alternative is to always consult with your specialist to be sure that it is the best option for you.
Are amniotic injections safe?
There is no evidence whatsoever that amniotic fluid injections cause significant harm. Infection, nerve inflammation, allergic reaction, and uterine rupture are associated with them in rare cases.
Are amniotic fluid shots the only injections used for back pain?
No. There are multiple treatments that specialists use to ease the pain of the back of their patients. Some treatments don’t even involve injections, it just depends on your case. Consulting with your doctor is always your best option.
How do I get amniotic fluid injections?
Your doctor must evaluate you first. With the information obtained, the specialist will determine if you are a fit candidate for a treatment such as an amniotic fluid injection.
