This injection is commonly used for spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, sciatica, and herniated disks. This injection is performed to relieve low back pain and radiation of pain to the legs. The steroid medication can reduce swelling and inflammation caused by the spinal condition. In this procedure, the patient lays facedown. A cushion is placed under the stomach area for comfort and to arch the back. The physician uses a fluoroscope to find the small opening at the base of the sacrum called the sacral hiatus. A local anesthetic numbs the skin and all the tissues down to the surface of the sacral hiatus. The physician then guides a needle through the anesthetized tract and into the epidural space. The needle is carefully inserted about one to two centimeters. Once inside the sacral hiatus space, a contrast or non-allogenic iodine-based solution is injected. This solution helps the physician see the diseased and painful area using a fluoroscope. A steroid/anesthetic mix is injected into the epidural space, bathing the painful area in a medication. The needle is removed. A tiny surface wound is covered with a small bandage. In some cases it may be necessary to repeat the procedure as many as 3 times for the patient to feel the full benefits of the medication. However, many patients feel significant relief from only one or two injections.