Feeling nervous about your upcoming cervical facet injection?
This procedure, designed to ease neck pain, might seem daunting at first. But understanding what lies ahead can ease those jitters. A cervical facet injection is a quick, invasive procedure aimed at delivering relief right where your neck hurts the most.
Ready to take the first step towards pain relief? Keep reading to discover all you need to know about your cervical facet injection.
Pre-procedure Preparation
Getting ready for your cervical facet injection involves a few simple steps. Your doctor will ask you to avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the procedure. This is a common practice to ensure your stomach is empty, making the process safer.
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing on the day of your procedure and remove any jewelry or accessories that could interfere. Following these easy preparations can help make your cervical facet injection go and stress-free.
Initial Assessment
The initial assessment for your cervical facet injection is a key step in your pain management plan. During this visit, your doctor will talk to you about your neck pain, how long you’ve had it, and what makes it worse or better.
They might also ask you to move in certain ways to see what causes pain. This helps them understand the best way to help you. Remember, this part is important for making sure your injection targets the right spot and offers you the most relief.
Positioning and Sterilization
For the medical procedure, your positioning is important to ensure the injection is as effective as possible. You will be asked to lie on your stomach on an X-ray table. This allows your doctor to see your neck clearly and guide the injection accurately.
Before the injection, the area of your neck that will be treated cleaned with an antiseptic solution. This sterilization process is crucial to prevent any infection and ensure the procedure is safe. Everything is done to keep you comfortable and secure throughout.
Anesthetic and Injection
Before the cervical facet injection, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area. This ensures that you feel little to no discomfort during the procedure. The doctor will then use a very thin needle to inject medicine directly into the facet joint of your neck.
This medicine helps reduce inflammation and pain. The process is quick and precise, targeting the source of your neck pain. You may feel a slight pressure during the injection, but the anesthetic makes it more comfortable.
Follow-up and Pain Management
This visit lets the doctor check on you and see how you’re feeling. They want to make sure the pain is going away. If you still hurt, the doctor might talk about other ways to help you feel better. This could include exercises or maybe another injection if needed.
It’s also good to think about all-around holistic ways to manage pain. Holistic pain management means not just looking at the spot that hurts but taking care of your whole self. Simple things like eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and maybe trying yoga or meditation can help your neck and the rest of your body feel better.
Learn All About Cervical Facet Injection
In short, cervical facet injection can help with neck pain. It’s a quick thing where doctors put medicine right where it hurts to make you feel better. After, you might feel a bit sore, but chilling and taking it easy does the trick. Now you know what’s up with these shots and how they might get your neck feeling good again.
