A Cervical and Thoracic Epidural injection may be performed to help alleviate pain associated with inflammation around the nerves of the neck. The epidural space surrounds the Dura, which is the sack around the nerve roots that contains cerebral spinal fluid, cord, and nerves. An injection into this space delivers medication directly to coat the nerves. This epidural injection may be used to treat the symptoms of a variety of conditions that may irritate the cervical nerve roots.

A local anesthetic is injected first to numb the area around the neck. Afterwards, a larger needle is inserted into the area of irritated nerves. A cortisone steroid solution is then injection into the same epidural space. This cortisone steroid solution is an anti-inflammatory medication that helps alleviate the local inflammation, which in turn, helps to decrease the associated nerve pain.