Living with persistent pain can disrupt daily life and limit activities. While medications and physical therapy help many, some patients need targeted interventions to manage their discomfort effectively. Nerve blocks offer a precise approach to pain relief by interrupting pain signals at their source. Let’s explore how nerve blocks work and when they are recommended.
Targeting Pain at Its Source
A nerve block is a procedure that involves injecting a local anesthetic, steroid, or other medication near specific nerves to interrupt pain signals traveling to the brain. By “blocking” these signals, the procedure can reduce or eliminate pain in a targeted area—such as the neck, back, arms, legs, or face.
Nerve blocks may be diagnostic (to help identify the source of pain) or therapeutic (to treat the pain itself). Depending on the condition and severity, relief can last from several hours to several months. Nerve blocks are recommended for a variety of conditions, including:
- Chronic pain conditions such as arthritis and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Post-surgical pain management to reduce opioid use and enhance recovery
- Nerve compression or damage, like herniated discs and spinal stenosis
- Severe acute pain episodes and headaches, including migraines
Nerve blocks can also help reduce the need for opioid medications or delay the need for surgical intervention.
Understanding the Different Types of Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks vary based on the location of pain and the type of nerves involved. Here are some common types:
- Epidural Nerve Block: Often used to manage lower back and leg pain, especially in conditions like sciatica or during childbirth. The medication is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord.
- Facet Joint Block: Targets the small joints in the spine that can become inflamed due to arthritis or injury. This block helps diagnose and treat back or neck pain.
- Peripheral Nerve Block: Involves blocking a specific nerve outside the spinal cord. Commonly used for pain in the arms, legs, hands, or feet—such as after surgery or injury.
- Sympathetic Nerve Block: Aimed at the sympathetic nervous system, which can contribute to chronic pain conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). These blocks can also help with poor circulation or excessive sweating.
- Occipital Nerve Block: Used for headaches and migraines originating from the back of the head. This block targets the greater and lesser occipital nerves near the base of the skull.
- Stellate Ganglion Block: Injected near the neck’s sympathetic nerves to treat pain in the face, neck, or upper extremities, and sometimes PTSD-related symptoms.
Each type of nerve block serves a specific purpose and is chosen based on the location and nature of the pain.
The Technique of Nerve Block Injections
Nerve block procedures are typically performed in an outpatient setting. Using image guidance (such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound), the nerve or nerve group causing discomfort is precisely targeted. The injected medication calms inflammation and disrupts the pain signals traveling through the nervous system.
Most patients experience minimal downtime and can return home shortly after the procedure. Relief can be almost immediate, depending on the type of block used.
Are Nerve Blocks Right for You?
Nerve blocks are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but they can be highly effective as part of a personalized pain management plan. They are often used alongside other treatments, including physical therapy, medications, and regenerative therapies.
Schedule a consultation to determine if a nerve block is appropriate for your condition.
AUTHOR: Vinay C. Belamkar, MD is the founder of Apollo Pain Center in Indianapolis with over a decade of experience exclusively in comprehensive pain care and fellowship in Interventional Pain Management, Anesthesia, and Internal Medicine, with a fellowship in spinal surgery.
