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Interventional Pain Management: Targeting the Source of Pain

Aptiva Health Editorial Team

2 min readLast reviewed June 11, 2026

Interventional pain management uses procedures — often guided injections — to find and treat the source of chronic pain, aiming to reduce pain and improve daily function.

Written by Aptiva Health Editorial TeamMedically reviewed by Thomas Huhn, MD and Robert Williams, MDEditorial & review standardsHow we research

What is interventional pain management?

“Interventional” means using procedures rather than medication alone. This specialty uses minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to locate and treat the source of pain — not just mask it. The goal is to lower pain enough to move, work, and take part in physical therapy.

Common conditions

  • Long-lasting neck and back pain
  • Sciatica and nerve-related (radicular) pain
  • Joint arthritis pain
  • Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain in the lower back/pelvis
  • Certain headaches and nerve pain conditions

Common procedures explained

  • Epidural steroid injection — anti-inflammatory medicine placed near irritated spinal nerves
  • Facet joint injection / medial branch block — medicine placed at small spine joints or the nerves serving them
  • Radiofrequency ablation — using heat to quiet a nerve that is sending pain signals
  • Joint injections — medicine placed directly into a painful joint

These are typically done in an office or procedure suite, often with live X-rayA quick imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to show bones and check for fractures or alignment problems. (fluoroscopy) or ultrasoundAn imaging test that uses sound waves (no radiation) to view soft tissues, tendons, and blood flow in real time. to guide placement.

What to expect

Many procedures take a short time and you go home the same day. Some give temporary relief; others last longer. Your providerAnyone licensed to give you medical care — a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Clinics use "provider" as a catch-all for whoever is caring for you. should explain how long relief may last and what comes next if it helps or does not.

Smart questions to ask

  • What is this injection meant to doA medical doctor — "MD" or "DO" — with four years of medical school plus a multi-year residency in a chosen field., and how long might it last?
  • What are the risks and the cost?
  • How does this fit with physical therapy or other care?
  • What is the plan if it does not relieve my pain?

Sources