Corticosteroids can be taken orally in pill form or can be delivered by means of an injection. Don't let the term "steroids" mislead you; corticosteroids are not the same substance as the steroids many elite athletes take to help their game.
Corticosteroids simulate cortisol, one type of steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland from cholesterol. (The adrenals are small glands that sit on top of each kidney.) This type of medication works by blocking and reversing the damaging the effects of inflammation. Specifically, it inhibits the production of prostaglandins and other chemicals. The most common type of steroid injection used to control back pain is the spinal epidural injection.
Inflammation is an activity of the immune system, similar to an army being sent out to protect from an invader. When you are injured, the insult to your body stimulates the immune system to send chemicals to the affected area to mediate the damage and allow you to heal. But inflammation can quickly get out of hand. When it does, it can harm your tissues, even to the point of being more damaging than the initial injury. That's why doctors recommend taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as Motrin or aspirin, as soon as possible after an injury. If your back condition is chronic, chances are that you are constantly irritating the injured area, which in turn may be creating chronic inflammation. Corticosteroids can be injected right into the inflamed area to alleviate the pain and swelling, and to reduce the activity of the immune system.
