This non-surgical procedure treats pain and can also serve as a diagnostic tool. Conditions typically treated include sciatica, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis. Your doctor injects a combination of anesthetic and steroid drugs either directly into the collection of nerves in the back or into the joint spaces of the spine. A majority of patients experience significant pain relief after just one steroid injection. However, some patients may need to undergo the procedure two or three times to reap the full benefits of the treatment.