Nerve Blocks
Nerve pain can feel overwhelming, but fortunately, it doesn’t have to control your life. At Procura Pain & Spine, we specialize in advanced treatments like nerve blocks to help you find targeted relief that actually works. Nerve blocks are an excellent option to help you manage the pain caused by many conditions. By tackling the pain directly at its source, nerve blocks can provide immediate and often long-lasting relief, helping you get back to the pain-free life you deserve.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, nerve irritation, or another condition that is affecting your mobility, nerve blocks can help. With a team that is dedicated to compassionate and expert care, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan that works just for you.
How Does a Nerve Block Work?
A nerve block is a minimally invasive procedure involving injecting medication near specific nerves or nerve clusters to interrupt the pain signals. The medication often includes a local anesthetic that provides immediate relief and a steroid that can help reduce inflammation and provide longer-lasting relief.
Types of Nerve Blocks
At Procura Pain & Spine, we offer a wide range of nerve block treatments, each designed to target specific areas of pain and address your specific conditions.
Stellate Ganglion Block
The Stellate Ganglion Block is one of our most frequently performed procedures. It is very effective for managing complex pain conditions. This nerve block is injected into the stellate ganglion, a group of nerves in the neck that influences the pain signals in the head, neck, upper chest, and arms.
The Stellate Ganglion Block can treat conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), upper extremity nerve pain, and even certain types of headaches.
The procedure is precise and minimally invasive. Our patients often report some very noticeable improvements in both their level of pain and their mobility after just one session. However, additional treatments are sometimes recommended to achieve the best results.
Occipital Nerve Block
Occipital nerve blocks are injected into the nerves at the back of the head. This treatment is an excellent option for treating occipital neuralgia, migraines, and cluster headaches. It can help reduce pain and inflammation and effectively treat headaches that start in the upper neck or the back of the head.
Sphenopalatine Nerve Block
The sphenopalatine nerve block treats facial pain, severe headaches, and certain migraines. This nerve block targets the sphenopalatine ganglion, a nerve cluster behind the nose. It can be very effective for helping with conditions like trigeminal neuralgia or cluster headaches.
Brachial Plexus Nerve Block
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulders, arms, and hands. We commonly use brachial plexus nerve blocks to relieve pain in these areas caused by injuries, nerve compression, or surgeries.
Suprascapular Nerve Block
The suprascapular nerve block is a specialized treatment for shoulder pain. It’s often used for rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, and frozen shoulder.
Intercostal Nerve Block
Intercostal nerve blocks target the nerves between the ribs. This treatment can help pain caused by rib fractures, shingles, or post-surgical pain after specific chest or abdominal procedures.
Celiac Plexus Block
The celiac plexus block is a nerve block that treats pain in the upper abdomen. Conditions like chronic pancreatitis or abdominal cancer often cause this pain. This nerve block interrupts pain signals from the celiac plexus, a group of nerves located near the diaphragm.
Hypogastric Plexus Block
This nerve block is used to help with pelvic pain that is caused by conditions like endometriosis, pelvic cancer, or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. By focusing on the hypogastric plexus, this treatment can help reduce pain and improve the quality of life for patients who have chronic pelvic discomfort.
Ganglion Impar Block
The ganglion impar block is a specialized treatment that helps with pain in the lower pelvis, tailbone, or perineum. This nerve block can be beneficial for treating conditions like chronic tailbone or genital pain.
Medial Branch Block
A medial branch block is used to diagnose and relieve pain from the facet joints in the spine, which can become inflamed due to arthritis, injury, or degeneration. This procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic near the medial branch nerves, which transmit pain signals from the facet joints to the brain.
Medial branch blocks are commonly recommended for chronic neck or lower back pain that worsens with movement, such as twisting or bending. If pain relief is temporary, this confirms the facet joints as the source of pain, and a longer-lasting treatment like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be considered. This minimally invasive procedure can help improve mobility and function for patients with persistent spine-related pain.
What to Expect During a Nerve Block Procedure
We understand that trying out a new treatment can feel intimidating, so we strive to make your experience as smooth and comfortable as possible. At Procura Pain and Spine, our nerve block procedures are performed in our office and are minimally invasive. This means that you’ll get the relief you need and be able to go home the same day.
Before the procedure, your provider will review your medical history and all your symptoms to determine the best type of nerve block for your specific condition. You’ll lie comfortably during the procedure while a local anesthetic will numb the area.
The procedure is quick, usually taking only 10 to 30 minutes, and most of our patients experience minimal discomfort. After the injection, many people notice immediate relief from the anesthetic, with longer-lasting effects developing over the next few days.
Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including when to resume your normal activities and what to watch for during recovery. We’ll also work closely with you to monitor your progress and determine whether additional treatments are needed.
Common Questions about Nerve Blocks
The effects of a nerve block can vary depending on the type of block and your specific condition. Your provider will discuss what to expect and whether follow-up treatments might be needed.
The number of treatments we’ll recommend for you will depend on how you respond to nerve block treatment and the severity of the pain you’re experiencing. Some patients experience complete pain relief after just one injection, while others may require a series of treatments for the best possible results.
Nerve blocks are considered safe. As with any medical procedure, there are some risks, such as infection or bleeding, but these are very rare. We will carefully review any potential risks and answer all of your questions before the procedure.
Take Control of Your Pain with Nerve Blocks
At Procura Pain & Spine, we’re committed to helping you find the relief you deserve. Nerve blocks are a powerful treatment option that can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.
Enjoy a life free from pain. Call us today at 936-758-7169 or schedule an appointment online to learn more about nerve block therapy.