The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are conducting a multistate investigation into fungal meningitis among patients who got an epidural steroid injection, as the most of us are aware from recent considerable press coverage. A few of these patients also experienced strokes, which are thought to have been brought on by their infection. There had been 24 documented deaths as of mid-October.

You run the risk of problems whenever you receive any type of injection. Injections of steroids increase the likelihood of infection and other problems. Is there an alternative to these injections, which is the real query?

I injured my knee a few months back while attempting to exit my aircraft seat. I started using my PEMF therapy as soon as I arrived home since it became sore right away. I even used a SomaPulse while wearing a knee brace and walked 3 miles every day as I typically do. I underwent an MRI since I continued to experience pain whenever I applied any pressure to my knee. The results showed that I had a minor ACL strain and a minimally torn lateral meniscus.

I saw a renowned orthopedic physician, who advised me against engaging in any intense activity. He suggested I have an injection of steroids for my knee. I refused, stating that I would rather keep up my PEMF therapy. He glared at my decision as one would expect.

My knee now felt virtually normal, so I departed without getting the injection and continued using my PEMF for the following month. My ACL and meniscus have obviously not yet been repaired by my body, but I did not require or receive the injection to make the pain go away.

I resisted getting the steroid injection, why? I knew better because I’m a doctor. In my career, I’ve administered steroid injections, as do the majority of other medical professionals. But the fact that the risks almost always outweighed the advantages concerned me. These were the only alternatives I had at the time. This is one of the reasons I started looking for different pain relief options, where I eventually discovered PEMFs.

I am aware that nothing is cured by these shots. They do in reality produce hazards, not the least of which is the potential of infection. The tissues into which steroids are administered thin out over time (let me say it again-OVER TIME). Doctors will normally inform you that you are only permitted to receive one or two steroid injections in the same region for this reason.

The possibility of a ligament rupturing increases if you inject steroids there. Almost always, if you inject them under the skin, you will see a small pock mark. These injections work as strong anti-inflammatories and tissue destroyers. Certainly, they lessen pain and inflammation, but only momentarily.

Why then do doctors utilize them while knowing this? As they bought the steroids and have them in their refrigerators, they should at least receive their money back since they expire if not used promptly. They don’t know of any other options.

Steroids can be replaced with safe, non-invasive, and non-toxic alternatives. Also, when it’s possible, they actually aid in the underlying tissue’s recovery. Even the use of steroids is ineffective when it is impossible. With the underlying issue, PEMFs almost always provide some level of assistance. More importantly, after you have received a diagnosis and a suggested course of treatment, you do not need to see a doctor for this therapy. PEMF treatments can be performed at home, independently, at your convenience, and almost without danger. Also, other members of the home can gain from this.

Steroid use is sometimes advised. Steroids are incredibly helpful in treating a number of serious illnesses and diseases. Steroids should be seriously examined in these situations. These kinds of illnesses include bad poison ivy rashes, serious infections termed sepsis, severe asthma, severe rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups, and other autoimmune conditions that can be incapacitating or fatal. Orthopedic steroid injections, whether epidural or into joints or ligaments, are infrequently medically essential.

Injections of steroids can be administered directly into the skin or muscle, as well as into ligaments or tendons, joints, including spinal joints, or the area directly above major nerves, such as the spinal cord.

These injections that caused meningitis were administered in what is referred to as the epidural space. Chronic back pain is routinely treated with epidural injections. These are quite unpleasant and may or may not function. They obviously pose a threat of infection to the neurological system, in addition to other potential side effects like hemorrhage and paralysis.

My medical expertise has taught me to always try to address pain in a non-invasive, non-toxic, safe manner before turning to injections. My objectives also include enabling you to perform your own treatments whenever it is most convenient for you, with the added anticipation that we will actually be able to aid in the healing of the underlying tissue and the source of the pain.

Tissues obviously require time to repair. Anything that provides you with quick relief from a persistent issue is either a medication, a procedure, or a surgical operation. These methods typically have issues or don’t last very long.

The consequences are typically unforeseen and may be severe and irreversible. Once more, this is the reason I generally attempt to start with a more cautious approach, usually using PEMFs.

Inflammation has been found to be significantly reduced by PEMFs as well. Perhaps they don’t act as swiftly or dramatically, and therein lies the allure of steroid injections. Often, you will discover within a week whether the steroid injection is indeed effective. If the underlying problem is not addressed as well, the advantages still do not endure very long. Moreover, PEMFs may lessen swelling, enhance circulation, and promote tissue healing. They also have the additional advantage of having a property known as anti-nociception, which allows them to directly lessen pain. In fact, it has been discovered that they are equivalent to around 10 mg of morphine without the morphine in both animals and people.