At PMIR Medical Center, our pain and spine specialists understand the nuances of chronic pain. We interview each patient to determine what caused their pain and how long it’s been bothering them and to discuss customized treatment plans that often include nerve blocks. Nerve blocks are a procedure that aims to reduce or eliminate pain by disrupting nerve activity in a specific region of the body, thereby limiting the severity of pain signals traveling through the area and helping to control pain and achieve temporary pain relief.
What Are Nerve Blocks?
A nerve block is a medical procedure used to relieve pain by disrupting the transmission of pain signals through specific nerves or groups of nerves, often achieved using a local anesthetic. It typically involves the injection of medication (e.g., local anesthetics, corticosteroids, or other medications) near or around a nerve, or a group of nerves, to either numb them temporarily or reduce inflammation and pain. Nerve block injections are often performed as outpatient procedures and can provide temporary relief from acute or chronic pain. These injections are typically temporary and may not provide long-term relief. Injections are generally used for people with severe chronic pain, including (but not limited to):
Nerve Blocks Differ from Other Non-Surgical Interventions for Back Pain
Nerve blocks are one of several non-surgical treatments for back pain, and they differ from other methods in how they target pain relief.
A nerve block directly addresses the pain-signaling nerves, either by numbing them temporarily or targeting the cause of pain at a more specific point (e.g., inflammation around the nerves or pressure due to injury, herniated discs, or arthritis).
CONTACT US TODAY
Types of Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks can be categorized into several types based on their technique, duration of action, and the outcome being aimed for (diagnostic vs. therapeutic):
Temporary Diagnostic Nerve Blocks:
Specialists use nerve blocks to diagnose the source of the pain or identify the specific nerves causing discomfort. A small amount of anesthetic is injected into the region of a nerve root or an affected joint. The relief or change in symptoms helps the doctor pinpoint the source of the pain, guiding further treatment.
If a patient has pain suspected to be coming from a facet joint, a diagnostic nerve block may be used to confirm the facet joint as the pain source.
Therapeutic Nerve Blocks:
Here at PMIR, we use therapeutic nerve to relieve pain rather than diagnose it. Therapeutic nerve blocks are designed to provide pain relief by reducing inflammation or “turning off” pain transmission in affected nerves. Anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents (like corticosteroids) are injected to reduce inflammation or “turn off” pain transmission in affected nerves. Therapeutic nerve blocks can also reduce the need for pain medication by providing effective pain relief.
A facet joint block or a caudal epidural block may be performed to treat inflammation around the nerves and provide extended pain relief. These are specific types of nerve blocks, named by where and how they are applied.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA):
This is a more permanent approach than traditional nerve blocks, as it involves the use of radiofrequency energy to destroy nerve tissue, thereby interrupting the transmission of pain signals for longer durations (up to a year or more). While radiofrequency ablation can provide longer-lasting relief, traditional nerve blocks can provide temporary pain relief, allowing patients to manage their pain more effectively. A needle-like probe is inserted near the target nerve, and radiofrequency waves generate heat to cauterize or destroy the nerve tissue that carries pain signals.
This technique is often used for facet joint pain and in patients with chronic back pain where diagnostic nerve blocks have previously shown temporary pain relief.
Epidural Steroid Injections:
To relieve inflammation around the spinal nerves (such as in radiculopathy or spinal stenosis). The injection site is carefully prepared by cleaning and numbing it to minimize discomfort. Steroid medications are injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord, which helps reduce inflammation and provides long-term relief of symptoms. Potential post-procedure sensations around the injection site may include mild pain or warmth.
When Would a Doctor Recommend a Nerve Block?
Doctors generally consider a nerve block when other conservative treatments (such as physical therapy, oral medications, or lifestyle modifications) have not provided adequate pain relief. In cases where other treatments have failed, a sympathetic nerve block may be recommended to reduce pain signals from the sympathetic nervous system. Nerve blocks can also lead to a decreased need for pain medication during recovery, as they effectively control acute pain post-surgery, reducing reliance on opioids and other pain medications.
We at PMIR may recommend blocks if:
- The patient suffers from persistent back pain that does not respond to basic interventions (medication, exercise).
- When the source of back pain is difficult to pinpoint (such as for degenerative conditions or nerve impingement), a nerve block can help diagnose the specific nerve causing the pain.
- In cases of severe pain that limits mobility or quality of life, a nerve block can provide significant, short-term relief, giving the patient some breathing room to address the root cause.
- If the relief from a temporary nerve block is substantial, it may indicate the patient would benefit from additional, more permanent interventions like radiofrequency ablation or surgical options.
Patients are often advised to limit the use of pain medications on the day of the procedure to better assess the effectiveness of the nerve block.
Why Choose PMIR Medical Center?
At PMIR Medical Center, our team of medically trained pain management specialists understands your pain and the most effective way to treat it. We use standards of excellence, state-of-the-art equipment, and innovative procedures to develop customized integrative treatment plans to help you achieve long-term, sustainable pain relief. To learn more about how we can help you return to a pain-free, productive lifestyle, schedule an appointment with a PMIR physician today.
