Injection Therapy for Chronic Spine Pain — And Why Physiotherapy in Calgary IsEssential
- Colin Bouma, PT, FCAMPT
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
Living with chronic spine pain can affect everything from sleep to daily movement. Whether
caused by degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or nerve compression, chronic neck and back
pain can feel overwhelming.
If medications and physiotherapy alone haven’t worked, your doctor may recommend injection
therapy. But here’s what research shows: injections alone offer only temporary relief. To
achieve long-term results, you need to follow them with targeted physiotherapy, especially
here at our Calgary clinic on MacLeod Trail (Manchikanti et al., 2020).
Let’s break down what injection therapy involves—and how post-injection rehabilitation leads
to stronger, more sustainable outcomes.
What Is Spinal Injection Therapy?
Spinal injections are minimally invasive procedures that deliver corticosteroids and local
anesthetics to reduce inflammation and block pain near irritated nerves or joints (Chou et al.,
2015). Unlike oral medications, they work locally for faster relief.
Benefits Include:
Short-term pain relief
Reduced inflammation
Improved mobility
Greater tolerance for exercise rehab
Types of Injection Therapy Offered in Calgary
1. Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs)
Used for: Herniated discs, sciatica, nerve root irritation, spinal stenosis
Delivers anti-inflammatory meds around spinal nerves
Can reduce symptoms for weeks or months (Benyamin et al., 2012)
2. Facet Joint Injections
Used for: Arthritis or mechanical joint pain
Often used diagnostically; may precede radiofrequency ablation (Cohen et al., 2013)
3. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injections
Used for: SI dysfunction, low back pain
More effective when paired with stability exercises (Robinson et al., 2017)
4. Trigger Point Injections (TPI)
Used for: Myofascial pain and tight muscle bands
Best combined with manual therapy (Langevin & Sherman, 2007)
5. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Used for: Chronic pain from facet joints
Temporarily deactivates sensory nerves (Cohen et al., 2020)
Relief can last 6–12 months
6. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Used for: Degenerative discs, SI joints, ligament injuries
Natural healing with longer-lasting effects than steroids (Tuakli-Wosornu et al., 2016;
Levi et al., 2021)
The Evidence: Why Physiotherapy Must Follow Injections
While injections can “turn down” pain, they don’t fix:
Poor posture
Muscle imbalances
Faulty movement mechanics
Research shows patients get better results when injections are followed by active rehab
(George et al., 2018).
How Our Calgary Physiotherapy Team Supports Injection Recovery
1. Early Mobility & Gentle Movement
Once pain is reduced, we guide you through safe movements to prevent stiffness and restore
confidence.
2. Targeted Strengthening
Core stability
Glute activation
Deep spinal stabilizers
Flexibility and functional motion retraining
3. Posture & Ergonomics Training
We correct how you sit, stand, and move to reduce spinal load (O’Sullivan, 2005).
4. Manual Therapy Myofascial Release
Soft tissue tension doesn’t disappear with an injection. Hands-on treatment addresses lingering
restrictions (Bron et al., 2011).
5. Graded Activity Return
We help you reintroduce work, sport, and daily activities gradually—avoiding setbacks and flare-
ups.
Are Spinal Injections Right for You?
They may be appropriate if:
Pain limits daily function
Conservative care hasn’t helped
Imaging confirms a treatable issue
You're committed to post-injection rehab
Always speak with your physician and physiotherapist first.
Serving South Calgary with Comprehensive Spine Care
Our clinic at 8989 MacLeod Trail SW, Calgary works closely with local physicians and pain
specialists. Whether you've had an injection or are preparing for one, we’ll guide your recovery
with evidence-based, compassionate care.
We serve Haysboro, Acadia, Kingsland, Fairview, and surrounding South Calgary
communities.
Book Your Recovery Plan Today
Considering injection therapy or recovering from one? Let our expert team help you move better,
feel stronger, and stay pain-free.
Bibliography
Benyamin, R. M., Manchikanti, L., Parr, A. T., Diwan, S., Singh, V., Falco, F. J., &
Hirsch, J. A. (2012). The effectiveness of lumbar interlaminar epidural injections in
managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain. Pain Physician, 15(4), E363–E404.
Bron, C., Dommerholt, J., Stegenga, B., Wensing, M., & Oostendorp, R. A. (2011). High
prevalence of shoulder girdle muscles with myofascial trigger points in patients with
shoulder pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 12(1), 139.
Chou, R., Hashimoto, R., Friedly, J., et al. (2015). Pain management injection therapies
for low back pain. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). Comparative
Effectiveness Review No. 177.
Cohen, S. P., Hurley, R. W., Buckenmaier, C. C., Kurihara, C., Morlando, B. J., &
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George, S. Z., Fritz, J. M., Childs, J. D., & Brennan, G. P. (2018). A randomized clinical
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Langevin, H. M., & Sherman, K. J. (2007). Pathophysiological model for chronic low
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Manchikanti, L., Knezevic, N. N., Navani, A., Christo, P. J., & Hirsch, J. A. (2020). A
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Musculoskeletal System (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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