When is an epidural steroid injection typically recommended? Epidural steroid injections for rehabilitation In general, an epidural steroid injection is used to help provide pain relief to enable patients to progress with their rehabilitation. Individuals who have less back pain and feel more comfortable are generally able to work on the active therapies—such as stretching, strengthening/pain relief exercises and low impact aerobic conditioning—that are critical in rehabilitating the lower back and helping prevent (or minimize) future episodes of low back pain. Epidural steroid injections for pain Several common conditions—including a lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar spinal stenosis—can cause severe acute or chronic low back pain and/or leg pain. For these and other conditions that can cause chronic pain, an epidural steroid injection may be an effective non-surgical treatment option.