Pain Medicine in Fort Worth, TX

An epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication around irritated spinal nerves to reduce back or leg pain, such as sciatica. A nerve block targets a specific nerve or nerve branch with an anesthetic (and sometimes a steroid) to diagnose or treat pain, like a medial branch block for facet joints. Epidurals are mainly therapeutic; some nerve blocks are diagnostic to predict the success of radiofrequency ablation. Both are outpatient procedures done with X-ray or ultrasound guidance for precision.

Medications may stop working due to tolerance, condition changes, incorrect pain mechanism targeting (e.g., neuropathic vs inflammatory), drug interactions, or central sensitization. The solution isn’t usually a higher dose; it’s a re-evaluation. In Fort Worth, a pain medicine specialist can adjust your regimen, rotate medications, add procedures like nerve blocks or RFA, and layer in rehab and sleep strategies. Don’t change doses on your own; schedule a review to update your plan safely.

Plan to avoid driving the day of your injection. Local anesthetics can cause temporary numbness or weakness, and sedation impairs reaction time, so most clinics require a driver. Many people return to desk work the next day. If your job is physical, allow 24–48 hours before heavy lifting. Follow the specific instructions you’re given, and resume activities gradually as soreness resolves. Safety comes first, especially in busy Fort Worth traffic.

Taper slowly and with medical guidance. A common approach is reducing your total daily dose by about 5%–10% every 2–4 weeks, pausing if withdrawal or pain flares. Non-opioid medications, nerve blocks, or physical therapy can support the process. Staying hydrated, sleeping well, and using clonidine or lofexidine for symptoms may help. Never stop suddenly unless medically directed. If opioid use disorder is a concern, ask about buprenorphine-based treatment.