Nerve Block Injections for Pain Relief

A nerve block injection, which is also commonly called a neural blockade, is a type of procedure where a medication – composed of an anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, or corticosteroid – is injected into a specific area of the body to target a nerve or group of nerves to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Nerve blocks have many different uses and can be utilized to treat a vast range of conditions. For example, they may be used as a medium for chronic pain relief or they may be used to temporarily numb an area during surgery. They are commonly used to treat nerve complications in the limbs and hips and can be more effective than IV pain medications for certain individuals. Additionally, they may be used as a diagnostic tool, to find the source of pain in an individual based on their response to the nerve block. Typically, an anesthesiologist or other qualified medical professional will evaluate whether a nerve block is the best option for your needs, which may not be the case if your pain is not related to a single nerve or a small group of nerves.

Nerves in your body are like wires that are capable of relaying information like pain directly to the brain. So, nerve blocks fundamentally work by stopping the pain signals from reaching your brain. This is accomplished in the form of injectable medication that is delivered to a single or set of irritated nerves. The type of pain being experienced will determine the precise injection site. The anesthetic within the injection will then temporarily prevent the nerves from transmitting electrical signals, which results in reduced pain or complete pain relief. In diagnostic use, the source of pain can be determined if pain relief is achieved. In therapeutic use, the nerve block will continue to work for a period, providing pain relief, before it wears off.

Nerve block injections can treat a wide range of conditions, and their versatility can be utilized for many acute and chronic pain conditions. Some examples of conditions treatable with nerve block injections include chronic pain conditions, post-surgical pain, joint and musculoskeletal pain, headaches and migraines, cancer-related pain, and regional pain symptoms. Conditions treated with nerve blocks may also be treated with additional methods, such as physical therapy or lifestyle changes. Due to the differences in the vast number of conditions, the treatment process may vary depending on what is being treated. This may include differences in the site of injection, the effective length of the nerve block, or the group of nerves targeted. To decide if nerve block injections are the right course of action for you, you should speak with your provider.

The length of pain relief might have considerable variety depending on a couple of important factors. For example, the type of nerve block, the area being treated, the type of medication, and the individual response may all contribute to and determine the total period of effect. However, there are generally clear expectations, depending on the type of nerve block. Local anesthetic nerve blocks can provide short-term pain relief, between a few hours and a few days. On the other hand, nerve blocks designed for long-term relief–especially when used in conjunction with corticosteroids–may last for a much longer period. Generally, they can be expected to last for several weeks to several months. Due to their long-lasting nature, these types of injections tend to be used to treat chronic pain. The length of nerve blocks can be affected by individual variability, which may be influenced by underlying conditions and the overall health of the patient. Another way to extend the pain relief benefits of a nerve block is by receiving follow-up nerve block injections. However, this option may only be suitable for certain conditions and treatment plans. It is always important to talk directly to your provider about what to expect from nerve block injections and how they fit into your pain management program. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.