Evidence-based cortisone treatments to reduce inflammation and restore mobility — administered by our Glendale providers to help you move comfortably again.
The Impact of Pain
Pain has a way of quietly changing how you live. At first, it may feel manageable. A knee that aches after a long day. A shoulder that feels tight when you reach overhead. A back pain that lingers longer than it should.
Over time, discomfort can gradually change your routine. You may avoid certain movements, reduce enjoyable activities, or experience disrupted sleep due to ongoing pain.
At Total Medical & Wellness, we encounter this daily. Many patients seek effective, targeted treatments that address inflammation at its source and restore comfortable movement, rather than temporary solutions or ongoing medication.
Understanding Treatment
A cortisone injection (or steroid injection) is a medical treatment that delivers a powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into a painful or inflamed area of the body.
Unlike oral medications that circulate throughout your entire body, cortisone injections deliver medication directly to the problem area.
Combined with a small amount of local anesthetic for short-term comfort while the corticosteroid goes to work on the inflammation.
This focused approach allows for stronger local relief while greatly reducing the risk of widespread side effects associated with daily pills.
The Real Culprit
Inflammation is a natural and necessary part of healing. Problems arise when it does not resolve as expected. Chronic inflammation can cause swelling that limits movement, increase pressure inside joints, irritate surrounding nerves, weaken tissues, and create persistent pain even without a new injury.
Cortisone injections work by calming this overactive inflammatory response, reducing swelling, and giving irritated tissues a chance to settle down and heal.
Total Medical & Wellness
Expert Pain Management
Focused on accuracy, safety, and long-term improvement for our Arizona patients.
Targeted
Placement
Fast
Procedure
Lasting
Results
Local
Care
Conditions Treated
Cortisone injections are widely used for many musculoskeletal and nerve-related conditions.
*For spinal conditions like stenosis, herniated discs, and sciatica, the injections are typically epidural steroid injections—a subtype often performed under fluoroscopy by pain management specialists. At Total Medical & Wellness, we do not do cortisone injections for herniated discs, stenosis, or sciatica.
The Process
The injections are typically performed in our Glendale office and require only a short visit. We prioritize accuracy to maximize results and minimize side effects.
A thorough evaluation, physical exam, and review of your medical history to ensure accurate targeting of the pain source.
The skin is cleaned to reduce infection risk. Imaging guidance is used when necessary to ensure precise placement.
A thin needle delivers cortisone directly into the inflamed joint or tissue. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes.
Relief may not be immediate. The local anesthetic provides temporary relief within hours. Cortisone begins reducing inflammation over several days, with maximum benefit often felt within one to two weeks.
Relief can last several months for some, while others use them strategically to manage flare-ups. We carefully limit injection frequency to protect joint health and ensure long-term safety.
Treatment Comparison
Many people use oral anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief, but long-term use carries risks to the stomach, kidneys, and blood pressure.
FAQ
Have questions about safety, recovery, or whether cortisone is right for you? Find answers below.
Trusted Sources
Mayo Clinic – Cortisone Shots
Read the Mayo Clinic GuideCleveland Clinic – Cortisone Shots
Read the Cleveland Clinic Guide