Cortisone is manufactured naturally by the body's adrenal glands and is also made synthetically. Cortico steroids are the man-made steroids that produce similar results as the cortisone produced in our body. They have been found to have a marked anti-inflammatory effect and help us deal with an injury.

For our discussion, cortisone and its derivatives are steroids and are among the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs known. Their use can substantially reduce the swelling, warmth, tenderness and pain that are associated with inflammation.

Oral steroids are a non-narcotic type of prescription medication and are sometimes an effective treatment for low back pain. Like narcotics agents, oral steroids are only intended for use for short, one to two week periods of time. When used on a short-term basis, there are generally few complications associated with oral steroids.

There are, however, a number of potential complications associated with long-term usage of oral steroids. With long-term use, adverse side effects can include changes in appearance, acne, weight gain, redistribution of fat, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, collapse of the hip joint, as well as other complications. In some cases, the skin becomes more fragile, which leads to easy bruising. These take weeks to begin appearing.

Psychological side effects of steroids include irritability, agitation, euphoria or depression. Insomnia can also be a side effect. These changes in appearance and mood are often more apparent with high doses of steroids, and may begin within days.

An increase in susceptibility to infections may occur with very high doses of steroids.

Other side effects that may be caused by the long-term use of steroids include cataracts, muscle weakness, avascular necrosis of bone and osteoporosis.

Avascular necrosis of bone, usually associated with high doses of steroids over long periods of time, produces hip pain and an abnormal MRI scan. Caught early, the joint can be saved by "decompression" by an orthopedic surgeon. Once full developed, avascular necrosis is painful and often requires surgical joint replacement for pain relief.

It is important to note that diabetics should not use oral steroids since the medication increases blood sugar. Steroids should also not be taken by patients with an active infection (e.g. sinus infection, urinary tract infection) because they can make the infection worse. .

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is used to help relieve lower back pain. It has an approximate success rate where 50 of patients find measurable pain relief that can last for 1 week to 1 year. There is evidence that epidural steroid injection can be beneficial in providing relief for patients during an episode of severe back pain and allows patients to progress in their rehabilitation.

ESI deliver medication directly into, or very near, the source of pain generation. In contrast, oral steroids and painkillers have a dispersed, less-focused impact and may have unacceptable side effects. Additionally, since the vast majority of pain stems from chemical inflammation, an epidural steroid injection can help control local inflammation while also "flushing out" inflammatory proteins and chemicals from the local area that may contribute to and exacerbate pain.

Epidural injections are often used to treat radicular pain, also called sciatica, which is pain that radiates from the site of a pinched nerve in the low back to the area of the body aligned with that nerve, such as the back of the leg or into the foot. Inflammatory chemicals and immunologic mediators can generate pain and are associated with common back problems such as lumbar disc herniation or facet joint arthritis. These conditions, as well as many others, provoke inflammation that in turn can cause significant nerve root irritation and swelling.

Steroids inhibit the inflammatory response caused by chemical and mechanical sources of pain. Steroids also work by reducing the activity of the immune system to react to inflammation associated with nerve or tissue damage. A typical immune response is the body generating white blood cells and chemicals to protect it against infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. Inhibiting the immune response with an epidural steroid injection can reduce the pain associated with inflammation.

The epidural steroid injection procedure takes place in a surgery center, hospital, or a physician's clinic.

Epidural steroids injections are most effective in the presence of nerve root compression.

However, there are potential risks and side effects from steroid injections. Although rare, people considering any steroid injection should be aware of the following:
A transient decrease in immunity
High blood sugar
Stomach ulcers
Transient flushing
Increased appetite
Severe arthritis of the hips

When you own a BackPro, you will not experience any of the side effects from an epidural. You will enjoy the effects of the treatment that you can do in the privacy of your home on your time schedule and without the trauma of visiting your medical practitioner.

Medications are the most frequently recommended treatment for lower back pain. Recent reports show that 80% of primary care patients with low back pain were prescribed at least one medication when seen by the primary care provider and more than one third of those, were prescribed two or more medications

Prescribing anti-depressants has, in the past, been recommended to help alleviate depression which can often occur with chronic back pain sufferers. Now many physicians and researchers are finding that certain anti-depressants can reduce pain symptoms in people who are not depressed.

Certain types of anti-depressants as medication to treat your physical pain. Tricyclics and amitriptyline are two medications that have gained wide support in helping alleviate chronic back pain. They are believed to have primary analgesic abilities.

When taken at night by back pain sufferers', the sedating properties of these agents can be beneficial in those pain patients experiencing difficulty with sleep. Some patients report better sleep and pain relief when taking these medications.

Taking low dosages of antidepressants have few negative effects. People with heart conditions should not take any antidepressant since they can cause severe cardio side effects.

The most common side effects are: daytime sleepiness, dry mouth and blurred vision.

As a physician, the greatest challenge to prescribing any medication is what medication(s) will be the safest and most effective in alleviating lower back pain.

While anti-depressants have been demonstrated as useful in the treatment of pain, the extent of their usefulness is unclear.

More research is needed to see which medications work best and are the safest to use to alleviate lower back pain.

But no further research is needed to find how the BackPro will help you regain your mobility without the side effects of an anti-depressant. Just using it for 30 days will show you how to achieve freedom from pain in the comfort of your home. Order one today and see for yourself.