Epidurals and chronic pain

[CartoBarto]

How common is chronic back pain after an epidural? There are loads of health websites saying that there is no correlation between the two, but I've seen posts on this site saying otherwise. What have you heard/been through yourselves?
Thank you!

[Greybeardy]

there is no causative relationship between epidurals and chronic back pain. Is this related to your other thread about having a GA for a c-section? If you look at the labourpains website I suggested on that thread you’ll find objective numbers relating to the risks/benefits of different types of anaesthesia for delivery.

Post-partum back pain is common and multi-factorial. Important factors include things like ligamentous relaxation due to hormone changes, weight gain, position during childbirth/ lifting & carrying a baby. Operative delivery under both regional anaesthesia (ie. spinal, which is most commonly used or epidural) and GA causes (and requires) profound muscle relaxation which may contribute to some stiffness. HTH.

[willywilliam]

Chronic back pain after an epidural is not a very common occurrence. However, some people may experience temporary or ongoing discomfort after the procedure.

For individuals suffering from chronic pain, Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) therapy as mentioned in itmtherapy.com/step/safe-pain-relief-program/ is a recommended safe pain relief therapy. It's a type of dry needling therapy that involves inserting fine needles into tight muscles to release tension and improve function. IMS has been found to be effective for treating chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, and sciatica. As always, it's best to consult with a medical professional for proper evaluation and treatment.