This post was written by Dr. Andrius Giedraitis, Pain Management, Parkview Bryan Hospital.
When your pain finally improves after a procedure, it can feel like a burden has been eased. But many patients wonder why it worked, how it worked and what’s happening inside the body during that relief. Pain is complex, and so are the mechanisms behind effective treatment. In this post, we aim to clarify the “why” behind their relief—because knowledge builds confidence, engagement and long-term success.
Pain is more than damage
Most people assume pain directly reflects damage, but it is actually an output of your nervous system. Studies have shown that people can have significant MRI findings like bulging discs, arthritis or stenosis without experiencing any pain at all. However, others with normal imaging report having severe, life-changing pain. This happens because pain is influenced by inflammation, nerve sensitization, muscle tension, biomechanics, stress, sleep and prior injury. When any of these systems malfunctions, pain can persist long after tissues have healed.
How pain procedures interrupt the pain cycle
Interventional pain procedures work because they target the specific biological processes that keep the pain “switched on.” Here’s how:
-
Reducing inflammation. Inflammation is one of the biggest drivers of neck, back and joint pain. Steroid injections, epidurals and joint injections reduce chemical irritation around nerves and joints, calming pain signals almost like turning down the volume on a speaker.
-
Calming overactive nerves. When nerves become irritated or compressed, they fire excessively even after the threat has passed. Procedures like nerve blocks or selective nerve root injections give the nerve a “reset,” reducing abnormal firing patterns and restoring normal communication.
-
Improving joint motion and stability. Facet joints and sacroiliac joints are common sources of chronic pain. When they become inflamed, they send distress signals constantly. Medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation quiet these signals, often for months, by interrupting the overactive nerve pathways.
-
Restoring function during the healing window. Pain reduction isn’t the end of the story—it's the beginning of healing. When pain calms down, patients move better, restore flexibility, retrain weak muscles, sleep more deeply and reduce stress hormones. All of these support longer-lasting recovery.
Common procedures
Depending on the type of pain, there are several options for treatment, including:
-
Epidural steroid injections: Target inflammation around spinal nerves that cause radiating arm or leg pain.
-
Medial branch blocks/radiofrequency ablation: Identify and treat arthritic facet joints, offering 6–12+ months of relief for many patients.
-
Nerve blocks: Interrupt faulty pain pathways and calm hypersensitive nerves.
-
Joint injections: Reduce swelling and restore mobility to joints like the shoulder, hip, or knee.
Each works differently, but the theme is the same: reduce irritation, restore balance and improve function.
Why results sometimes fade
Pain relief may diminish over time due to:
-
Natural degenerative changes
-
Reinjury
-
Poor posture
-
Weak supporting muscles
-
Inflammation returning
This is why ongoing therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes matter. Procedures open the door—movement and strengthening keep it open.
Final thoughts
Your procedure worked because it targeted the true source of your pain, allowing the nervous system to reset and the body to heal. With a multimodal approach that includes interventional care, strengthening, movement therapy, and lifestyle support, pain relief can be meaningful and long-lasting.
At Parkview Bryan Hospital's Pain Management Clinic in Ohio, our team offers personalized and balanced care, with no referral necessary. To learn more or schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call 419-633-7343.
At PPG—Pain Management in Indiana, appointments are by referral only. If you suspect you need to see a pain management specialist, contact your primary care physician.
