Pain Block

Chronic or severe pain in your neck, back, arms, or legs can not only limit your mobility and stop you from doing the things you love, it can even block you from getting the physical therapy you need to strengthen your muscles and prevent worse injury.

On-going pain can also take a toll on your mental health and leave you feeling frustrated and depressed.

In these cases, a Pain Block can help you find relief, so that you can get back to your life and back to the rehabilitation and exercise you’ve had to give up.

At Cahaba Pain and Spine Care, our Board Certified Pain Physicians specialize in Pain Blocks for patients who suffer from chronic or severe pain, and have helped thousands of patients just like you finally find relief.

So that you can determine if a Pain Block is right for you, we’ve put together our patients’ most common questions, from what a Pain Block is, to how it can help and types of blocks your doctor may recommend.

What Is a Pain Block and How Can It Help Me?

A pain block, which in some cases may also be called a nerve block, is used to disrupt the pain signals to your brain, so that you can feel better. Put simply, the block “turns off” the nerves that are causing you pain temporarily, in order to give you both relief and time to heal. These blocks can also be used to find the specific cause of your pain, so that a more permanent pain relief solution can be utilized.

During your Pain Block, you will receive an injection of a combination of medications, including a corticosteroid and an anesthetic. The steroid works to reduce inflammation, while the anesthetic numbs the pain coming from the nerves, shutting down the pain signal.

To perform the block, your doctor will use x-ray guidance to insert the needle into the specific targeted area, so that you can get the maximum benefits from the injection.

When Is A Pain Block Recommended?

A Pain Block may be recommended if you suffer from either acute or chronic pain. This pain could originate in your back or neck, but may also affect your neck, buttocks, legs, and arms.

Thanks to the medications in the Pain Block, your nerves are given time to heal, rather than remaining in a constant state of irritation. Additionally, a Pain Block can provide valuable diagnostic information to your physician. By performing the block and monitoring how you respond, your doctor is able to better pinpoint the source of your pain and guide your future care.

Types of Pain Blocks

Depending on your specific pain and medical conditions, your doctor may recommend from a number of types of Pain Blocks. These include:

• Stellate Ganglion Block
• Lumbar Sympathetic Block
• Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
• Lumbar Medial Branch Block
• Cervical Medial Branch Block
• Sacroiliac or SI Joint injection
• Intercostal Nerve Block
• Greater Occipital Nerve Block
• Brachial Plexus Block

These procedures are all minimally invasive, performed on an outpatient basis, and require little downtime.

What Benefits Can I Expect?

Although each patient is different, a Pain Block may help you achieve either temporary or more long-term relief from the pain you’re currently experiencing. You may also be better able to participate in physical therapy in order to strengthen weakened muscles and get back to your normal level of activity.

To find out if you’re a good candidate for a Pain Block, contact the expert team at Cahaba Pain and Spine Care today.