For patients who have been dealing with severe pain, nerve blocks have become a highly effective and common treatment. Nerve blocks are injections of localized anesthesia and steroids that are directed in the region of pain—towards a nerve or a group of nerves. The goal of this treatment method is to reduce your overall pain while increasing your quality of life.
Finding the best comprehensive pain management treatment plan can be tricky, which is why it’s important to visit the pain management doctors at ISPM. Our medical team has vast experience in non-surgical therapy, pain medications, epidural steroid injections, kyphoplasty and so much more. Our pain management doctors will help you determine the best plan for your pain.
How Nerve Block Injections are Used for Pain Management
Nerve block injections are a minimally invasive procedure that is often more effective than prescription pain medication. When you receive a nerve block injection in a particular area of the body, the pain is relieved and circulation is increased. This allows for more oxygen and nourishment to be brought to the area.
The duration of pain relief will vary from 1-2 hours to a number of days. If you experience pain relief from a nerve block, a series of injections may be recommended to break the pain cycle entirely.
Types of Nerve Blocks
Depending on the area of pain, it will require a different type of nerve block. Here is a list of a few nerve blocks that the pain management associates of ISPM commonly use and which part of the body they affect:
• Celiac Plexus Block (abdomen)
• Inferior Hypogastric Nerve Block (pelvis)
• Intercostal Nerve Block (ribs and chest)
• Lumbar Sympathetic Plexus (Ganglion) Block (neck)
• Medial Branch Block (back)
• Nerve Root Blocks (arms and legs)
• Occipital Nerve Block (head)
• Sympathetic Block (autonomic nervous system)
• Superior Hypogastric Nerve Block (pelvis and tailbone)
• Selective Nerve Root Block (arms, chest and legs)
Pain Management Response
Each person is unique in the way they respond to nerve blocks. Some patients will notice immediate relief while others need a series of injections before they notice pain beginning to subside. Pain is extremely personal which explains why the outcomes of never block injections can vary from individual to individual.
If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain for many years, there could be multiple pain generators involved. It’s possible that your first injection will take away a portion of your pain and future injections will continue to improve your pain over time. It’s also important to note that nerve block injections can be combined with other forms of treatment such as physical therapy, lifestyle changes or medication.
Interventional Spine and Pain Management
Living with regular discomfort is not the answer! Here at the ISPM, we strive to offer the best pain management patient care and bring you sustainable pain relief.
ISPM have convenient locations throughout Utah at Bountiful, Murray, Ogden and Providence
Get in touch with us by calling 801-262-7246
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