The epidural for back pain procedure has to take place in a hospital, physician’s clinic, or surgery center.  The injections procedure usually takes around 30 minutes.  You will be asked to lay on a flat table, and the area where the injection is to be inserted will be cleaned and sterilized.  The needle will be inserted into the skin and directed toward the epidural space.  Once the needle is in the proper position, the steroid solution will be injected.  The solution is injected very slowly, and the patient will usually feel a small amount of pressure as the solution goes in.  After the injection the patient needs to be monitored for about 30 minutes to ensure there are no adverse side effects from the steroid.  Some tenderness may be experienced at the injection site.  An ice pack will help relieve the soreness.