Lumbar, Thoracic, and Cervical: Epidural steroid injections are a treatment for back and neck pain. This injection can alleviate inflammation and pain in the lumbar (lower), thoracic (middle), or cervical (neck) area of the back, by delivering an anesthetic and steroid to the epidural space within the spine. This decreases inflammation of the nerve roots, which helps with injury healing and decreasing pain. This type of injection can result in pain relief that lasts for up to several months.