Pain relief is most often achieved after your treatment with an epidural steroid injection to the back for back pain, not immediately, but usually within 2 to 4 days following the injection treatment. The relief time frame will vary from one patient to another, with many even noting that they found relief from epidural steroid injections by the following day. If you are wanting to achieve the longest and best pain relief from an epidural steroid injection treatment, you may need more than one treatment. Typically, they will be separated by one week, up to several weeks.   An epidural steroid injection does work best in combination with other treatments like physical therapy and home exercises. Often, your physician will provide you with a list of home exercises you can continue once your treatment has commenced helping. This combination will aim to strengthen the muscles of the back and prevent further injury to the back and recurrent or continued pain.   The results of an epidural steroid injection will last many years and can prevent you from having to undergo any invasive spinal surgery.