By the Pain Management Team at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Suzanne Manzi, MD
Updated April 2026
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For workers and families across Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, La Porte, Crosby, and the wider Houston Ship Channel community, chronic back, neck, or radiating nerve pain has a way of taking over both the workday and the time off. A turnaround crew shift at the ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, a load-out at the Ship Channel, a long day on Garth Road, even unloading the truck at home — everything gets harder when a herniated disc or pinched nerve is firing every time you move. When physical therapy and oral medication have not been enough, an epidural steroid injection (ESI) is often the next reasonable step before surgery is on the table.
At the Baytown office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, located on West Baker Road just off I-10 and Garth Road, Dr. Suzanne Manzi performs epidural steroid injections under fluoroscopic guidance to deliver targeted anti-inflammatory medication directly to the inflamed nerve root. The office offers bilingual English and Spanish care, accepts workers’ compensation for refinery and petrochemical injuries, and is built around keeping East Harris County patients out of TMC traffic and on the job.
If chronic spine pain has limited your work or your time with family, a consultation in Baytown is encouraged.
What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space surrounding your spinal nerves. The epidural space is the area between the protective covering of the spinal cord (the dura) and the vertebrae. When a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowed spinal canal presses on a nerve root, it creates inflammation that drives pain, numbness, or weakness into your back, neck, arms, or legs.
The injection contains two components: a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation at the nerve root and a local anesthetic that provides immediate but temporary pain relief. Together, these medications calm the irritated nerve and create a window for healing and rehabilitation.
All epidural steroid injections at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine are performed under fluoroscopic guidance, which means real-time X-ray imaging is used to guide the needle to the precise location. This image-guided approach helps ensure the medication reaches the targeted nerve root accurately. According to the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), fluoroscopically guided epidural injections carry Level I evidence supporting their long-term effectiveness for conditions like disc herniation (Manchikanti L et al., Pain Physician, 2021).
Three primary approaches to ESI are used, selected based on your specific condition and anatomy:
- Interlaminar: The needle enters between two vertebrae from the back. This is the most common approach and covers a broad area of the epidural space.
- Transforaminal: The needle enters from the side, targeting the specific nerve root where it exits the spine. This delivers a more concentrated dose to the affected nerve.
- Caudal: The needle enters through the sacral opening at the base of the spine. This approach is often used for lower back conditions affecting multiple nerve levels.
The most appropriate approach is recommended after reviewing your imaging and evaluating your symptoms during the consultation.
Conditions Treated with ESI in Baytown
Baytown is, by economy and culture, one of the most clearly defined industrial-worker patient populations in the Houston region, and the spine conditions we see at the West Baker Road office reflect that reality. Many patients work at the ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou, Covestro, or one of the dozens of operators inside the Cedar Crossing Industrial Park; others are longshoremen, stevedores, mariners, and logistics staff on the Houston Ship Channel; we also treat turnaround contractors, welders, pipefitters, and instrumentation technicians, Goose Creek CISD educators, and Houston Methodist Baytown and Lee College health-program staff. A 2022 systematic review in Pain Physician confirmed that epidural injections are effective for lumbar radiculopathy (Manchikanti L et al., 2022), and the American Academy of Neurology (2025) found that ESIs probably reduce short-term pain and disability in both cervical and lumbar radiculopathies (Armon C et al., Neurology, 2025).
Conditions commonly treated with epidural steroid injections at the Baytown office include:
- Herniated or bulging disc. A leading cause of chronic low back pain in refinery and chemical-plant operators, turnaround crews, welders, pipefitters, and longshoremen whose work demands repeated bending, lifting, climbing, and standing on hard surfaces for long shifts. Targeted ESI at the inflamed nerve root often allows return to work and meaningful physical therapy.
- Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy). Shooting pain that runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. Common in commuters from Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, La Porte, and Crosby whose drives chain hours of seated, vibration-loaded posture together on I-10 every week.
- Spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves and produces leg cramping with walking. ESI extends mobility for older Baytown patients who want to keep walking the Goose Creek Greenbelt and the Baytown Nature Center.
- Cervical radiculopathy. Nerve compression in the neck that radiates into the shoulder and arm, frequent in instrument and electrical technicians, dockworkers, and industrial inspectors whose work requires sustained overhead reaching, awkward neck postures, and helmet weight.
- Degenerative disc disease. The natural loss of disc height that irritates surrounding nerves over decades of industrial work, common in long-tenured ExxonMobil and Chevron Phillips operators across East Harris County.
- Failed back surgery syndrome. Persistent nerve irritation after a prior spinal procedure. Many of our Baytown patients arrive with continued symptoms after surgery and benefit from a focused ESI strategy.
- Spondylolisthesis. When a vertebra slips forward over the one below it, producing nerve compression that may respond to epidural steroid treatment.
During your Baytown consultation, your MRI or other imaging is reviewed to identify which condition is driving your symptoms and whether an ESI is the right next step.
What to Expect During Your ESI in Baytown
Knowing exactly what happens before, during, and after the procedure helps Baytown patients arrive prepared and leave with a clear plan. Here is the step-by-step process at the West Baker Road office.
Before Your Procedure
Your epidural steroid injection begins with a thorough evaluation in the Baytown office. Dr. Manzi reviews your MRI or CT imaging, your pain history, prior physical therapy notes, prior injections, current medications, and any work-related injury history. The pre-procedure visit also includes guidance on which medications to pause, particularly blood thinners. Plan to have someone available to drive you home; we recommend not driving immediately after the procedure. Spanish-language pre-procedure instructions are available on request.
During Your Procedure
The injection itself typically takes 15 to 30 minutes and is performed as an outpatient procedure. You lie face down on a procedure table; the injection area is cleansed and numbed with a local anesthetic. Using fluoroscopic real-time X-ray guidance, Dr. Manzi advances the needle precisely into the epidural space at the targeted level of your spine. Once correct needle placement is confirmed on the fluoroscopy monitor, the corticosteroid and anesthetic medication are delivered. Most patients describe the sensation as pressure rather than sharp pain.
After Your Procedure
You rest in the recovery area for 15 to 30 minutes while the care team monitors you. Some Baytown patients notice immediate relief from the local anesthetic, although that effect is temporary. The corticosteroid typically takes two to seven days to reach its full anti-inflammatory effect. Most patients return to light daily activities the following day; strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are best avoided for 24 to 48 hours. Because Baytown summers are long and humid, hurricane season runs June through November, and excessive ozone alerts can occur near the surrounding industrial complexes, your team will discuss hydration, indoor air-conditioned recovery, respiratory considerations on alert days, and a contingency plan if a tropical system disrupts a follow-up visit. Spanish-language aftercare instructions are available. A follow-up visit at the Baytown office is scheduled to assess your response and decide whether additional injections may be beneficial.
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
For Baytown and East Harris County patients dealing with chronic back or neck pain from nerve compression, epidural steroid injections offer several meaningful advantages as part of a comprehensive treatment plan:
- Minimally invasive and non-surgical. An ESI requires only a needle insertion. There are no incisions, no general anesthesia, and no hospital stay. You go home the same day.
- Targeted inflammation reduction. Unlike oral medications that circulate through the entire body, an epidural injection delivers the anti-inflammatory medication directly to the inflamed nerve root, which matters for patients in safety-sensitive refinery, petrochemical, and offshore roles where DOT and process-safety rules apply.
- May reduce or delay the need for surgery. Research published in The Spine Journal followed patients for five years after lumbar transforaminal ESI and found sustained benefit with reduced progression to surgical intervention (Kennedy DJ et al., 2018).
- Enables full participation in rehabilitation. One of the most important benefits is that ESI pain relief lets you engage fully in physical therapy and exercise, which are essential for return-to-work timing on a turnaround crew or a Ship Channel load-out.
- Quick procedure with fast recovery. The injection takes 15 to 30 minutes, and most Baytown patients resume light activities the next day. There is no extended downtime.
- Can be repeated if effective. If the first ESI provides meaningful relief, your physician may recommend a series of up to three injections to extend the benefit. ASIPP guidelines support repeated epidural injections when clinical improvement is documented (Manchikanti L et al., Pain Physician, 2021).
ESIs work best as one component of a broader pain management strategy and are typically combined with physical therapy, activity modification, and other conservative treatments tailored to your specific condition and goals.
If you are considering an epidural steroid injection for back or neck pain, call the Baytown office at 346-217-1111 to schedule a consultation. Hablamos español.
Why Choose Performance Pain in Baytown for Epidural Steroid Injections
Choosing the right physician for an epidural steroid injection matters. ESI outcomes depend on accurate diagnosis from your imaging, precise needle placement under live fluoroscopy, and disciplined patient selection. These require a physician with deep training in interventional spine procedures and a team that knows the patients of Baytown and East Harris County, the rhythms of refinery turnarounds and Ship Channel labor, and the realities of bilingual, family-centered care in a majority-Hispanic community.
At Performance Pain and Sports Medicine in Baytown, ESIs are performed by:
- Dr. Suzanne Manzi, MD — Quadruple board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine, with residency at Baylor College of Medicine and fellowship training in interventional spine and pain management. Dr. Manzi serves as off-site clinical faculty at UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School and is a founding member of the Society of Women Innovators in Pain Management. She sees patients from Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, La Porte, Crosby, Anahuac, Beach City, Cove, Old River-Winfree, Wallisville, Dayton, and Liberty at the Baytown office.
What sets the Baytown office apart:
- Physician-led care with a board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional pain specialist
- Every epidural injection performed under live fluoroscopic guidance for precision
- TMC-caliber care without the 35 to 45-minute I-10 drive into the Texas Medical Center
- Bilingual English and Spanish care for our majority-Hispanic East Harris County community
- Workers’ compensation accepted for refinery, petrochemical, Ship Channel, and contractor cases
- Convenient Baytown location on West Baker Road, accessible from Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, La Porte, Crosby, Anahuac, Beach City, Dayton, and Liberty
For Baytown patients exploring biologic alternatives or adjuncts to ESI, the practice also offers PRP therapy in Baytown.
Our Baytown Location
The Baytown office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine occupies Suite A at 1650 W. Baker Rd., a short drive from the ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou, Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, Lee College, and the Fred Hartman Bridge. West Baker Road sits just off I-10, the primary east-west spine of East Harris County, with quick access from Garth Road, SH-146, and the Grand Parkway.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine — Baytown
Address: 1650 W. Baker Rd., Ste A, Baytown, TX 77521
Major Cross Streets: West Baker Road at Garth Road, just off I-10
Nearby Landmarks: Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, Lee College, ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, Baytown Nature Center
Parking: Free on-site parking
Phone: 346-217-1111 (Bilingual / Hablamos Español)
Conveniently located in the heart of East Harris County, the Baytown office serves patients from Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, La Porte, Crosby, Anahuac, Beach City, Cove, Old River-Winfree, Wallisville, Dayton, Liberty, and the wider Houston Ship Channel community, with quick access from I-10, Garth Road, SH-146, and the Fred Hartman Bridge.
Frequently Asked Questions: ESI in Baytown
Are epidural steroid injections available in Baytown, TX?
Yes. Epidural steroid injections are performed at the Baytown office of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine, located at 1650 W. Baker Rd., Ste A. Dr. Suzanne Manzi, MD, performs ESI under live fluoroscopic guidance for patients across East Harris County, the Houston Ship Channel community, and the wider Baytown area. The office offers bilingual English and Spanish care. Most insurance plans, Medicare, and workers’ compensation cases cover medically necessary ESI. Call 346-217-1111 or request an appointment online.
Do you accept workers' compensation for refinery, petrochemical, and Ship Channel back injuries?
Yes. The Baytown office regularly treats workers’ compensation patients from the ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou, Covestro, Cedar Crossing Industrial Park operators, Houston Ship Channel longshoremen and stevedores, turnaround and contractor crews, and Goose Creek CISD staff. We coordinate with case managers and adjusters and document objective findings — including imaging review and exam findings — that support appropriate work status decisions. Call 346-217-1111 to discuss your specific case.
Do you accept referrals from Houston Methodist Baytown, Altus, and Harris Health primary care?
Yes. Dr. Manzi routinely accepts referrals from Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, Altus Baytown Hospital, the Harris Health Baytown Health Center, and independent primary care, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedic, and physical therapy practices throughout East Harris County. Most patients are seen within one to two weeks. Records can be sent through your referring practice or directly to the Baytown office at 346-217-1111.
Will an epidural steroid injection help a herniated disc?
Herniated discs are one of the most common conditions we treat with ESI in Baytown. Research supports the use of epidural injections for reducing pain and inflammation caused by disc herniation, particularly when the disc is compressing a spinal nerve. Not every herniated disc requires an injection; some respond well to physical therapy alone. Your imaging and exam findings guide that recommendation.
How long does pain relief last after an epidural steroid injection?
Duration of relief varies. Some Baytown patients experience weeks of relief, while others benefit for several months or longer. A 2025 systematic review published in Neurology found that epidural steroid injections probably reduce short-term pain in cervical and lumbar radiculopathy (Armon C et al., Neurology, 2025). ESIs work best when paired with active rehabilitation.
How many epidural steroid injections can I receive?
There is no single universal limit, but most physicians follow a guideline of no more than three to four ESIs within a six-month period. The decision depends on your response to the first injection and whether the clinical benefit justifies additional treatments. ASIPP guidelines support repeated injections when documented clinical improvement is present.
Does insurance cover epidural steroid injections?
Most insurance plans cover ESI when it is medically necessary and supported by imaging and physical examination. Coverage details vary by plan and may require prior authorization. Call the Baytown office at 346-217-1111 to verify your benefits before scheduling.
How soon can I return to refinery or Ship Channel work after an ESI?
Most patients return to light daily activities the next day. Refinery operators, turnaround crews, and Ship Channel workers should discuss return-to-duty timing with their employer’s safety-sensitive policies; strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and prolonged bending are best avoided for 24 to 48 hours. The injection site may feel sore for a day or two; your physician will provide written aftercare guidance, available in English and Spanish.
Schedule Your Baytown ESI Consultation
If chronic back pain, neck pain, or radiating nerve pain has limited your ability to keep up at work or at home, an epidural steroid injection may help you find meaningful relief without surgery. Patients across Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Channelview, Highlands, La Porte, Crosby, and the wider East Harris County / Houston Ship Channel community are welcome to schedule a consultation with Dr. Manzi at the Baytown office. Bilingual English and Spanish care is available.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine — Baytown
1650 W. Baker Rd., Ste A, Baytown, TX 77521
Phone: 346-217-1111
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information presented reflects an interventional pain management perspective and is intended to support, not substitute, your relationship with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results vary based on diagnosis, pain duration, overall health, and response to treatment. Some procedures may not be covered by insurance. Treatment outcomes depend on proper patient selection and accurate diagnosis. Always consult a board-certified physician before pursuing any pain management treatment.
Performance Pain and Sports Medicine
Medically reviewed by Suzanne Manzi, MD — Quadruple Board-Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. Teaching Faculty, UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School. Last reviewed April 2026.
