How Soon Can I Exercise After Epidural Steroid Injection?

At Northstar Joint and Spine, we understand that many patients are eager to return to their normal activities after receiving an epidural steroid injection. Your recovery and safety are our top priorities, so it’s important to know when and how you can safely resume exercise.

Immediately After Your Injection
For the first 24 hours following your epidural steroid injection at Northstar Joint and Spine, we recommend taking it easy. Please avoid any strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise during this initial period. This helps reduce the risk of complications, such as increased pain or bleeding at the injection site.

Gradually Returning to Activity
After the first day, most of our patients can slowly reintroduce light activities, such as walking or gentle stretching, as tolerated. However, the timeline for returning to more intense exercise—like running, weightlifting, or high-impact sports—can vary from person to person. Factors such as your overall health, the underlying reason for your injection, and your response to the procedure all play a role.

Personalized Guidance from Northstar Joint and Spine
Our team will provide you with individualized recommendations based on your specific condition and goals. If you experience increased pain, numbness, weakness, or any new symptoms as you resume activity, please stop and contact Northstar Joint and Spine right away for further evaluation.

Your Safe Recovery is Our Goal
In general, most patients can return to their regular exercise routines within a few days to a week after an epidural steroid injection—provided they feel comfortable and don’t experience any concerning symptoms. Always listen to your body and follow the personalized instructions provided by your Northstar Joint and Spine provider.

If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you at every step of your healing journey.

After receiving an epidural steroid injection with our team, it is generally safe to walk, provided you feel steady and do not experience significant weakness or numbness in your legs.

Following your procedure, our staff will monitor you for about 15 to 30 minutes to ensure there are no immediate complications or adverse reactions. Once you are cleared by your Northstar Joint and Spine provider and feel comfortable, you can typically resume light walking.

Some patients may notice temporary numbness, tingling, or mild weakness in the legs due to the local anesthetic used during the injection. These sensations usually fade within a few hours. If you experience persistent or worsening numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking, please contact Northstar Joint and Spine immediately.

We encourage gentle walking to promote circulation and reduce stiffness after your injection. However, our physicians recommend avoiding strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or high-impact exercise for the first 24 hours. Always follow the personalized post-procedure instructions provided by your Northstar Joint and Spine care team to ensure a smooth recovery and the best possible outcome.

If you have any questions or notice any unusual symptoms after your epidural steroid injection, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support your recovery every step of the way.

At Northstar Joint and Spine, your recovery and long-term well-being are our top priorities. If you’ve recently received an epidural injection at our clinic, it’s important to give your body adequate time to heal before resuming strenuous activities such as weight lifting.

How Long Should I Wait Before Lifting Weights?
Most patients are advised to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before engaging in any intense physical activity, including weight lifting. This rest period helps minimize the risk of complications such as increased pain, bleeding, or infection at the injection site.

Individualized Guidance for Your Recovery
The exact amount of time you should wait before returning to weight lifting may vary based on the reason for your epidural injection, your overall health, and your specific treatment plan. Some patients—especially those being treated for significant back pain or who experienced complications—may need to wait longer. At Northstar Joint and Spine, our providers will give you personalized instructions based on your unique situation.

Listening to Your Body
When you do return to exercise, pay close attention to how your body responds. If you notice increased pain, numbness, or weakness, stop the activity immediately and contact our office for guidance. We recommend starting with lighter weights and gradually increasing intensity as your comfort allows.

Follow Your Provider’s Instructions
Always follow the advice and post-procedure guidelines provided by your Northstar Joint and Spine physician. Our team is here to support your recovery every step of the way and will help you safely return to your regular activities.

If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery after an epidural injection, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Northstar Joint and Spine.

Our team specializes in the treatment of spine and joint conditions, including delivering epidural injections to manage pain and inflammation from issues like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. If you have recently received an epidural injection at our clinic, it’s important to follow our post-procedure guidelines to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

Resuming exercise too soon after your injection can interfere with your recovery. Engaging in strenuous physical activity may increase inflammation or disrupt the area where the medication was delivered. This can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment, delay pain relief, or, in some cases, worsen your symptoms. Additionally, early return to high-impact exercise can raise the risk of complications such as bleeding or infection at the injection site.

To maximize the benefits of your epidural injection, Northstar Joint and Spine recommends a brief period of rest immediately after your procedure. Light activities, such as gentle walking, are typically encouraged after the first 24 hours, but you should avoid vigorous exercise or heavy lifting until your provider gives you personalized clearance.

Every patient’s situation is unique. Please follow the specific instructions provided by your Northstar Joint and Spine care team regarding activity restrictions. If you are unsure when it is safe to return to your regular exercise routine, do not hesitate to contact our office. We are committed to helping you recover safely and return to the activities you enjoy. For more information contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7704 San Jacinto Pl Suite #200 Plano, TX 75024. We serve patients from Plano TX, Willow Bend TX, Frisco TX, Allen TX, Addison TX, North Dallas TX, and surrounding areas.