Nerve blocks are minimally invasive treatments that involve injecting a nerve-numbing medicine into the group of nerves responsible for chronic pain. The nerves are responsible for carrying information from the body to the brain and vice versa. As such, various injuries, dysfunctions, and disorders can lead to the nerves sending pain signals into the brain, leading to chronic pain. We identify the root cause of pain and curate a personalized nerve block in Edison to block the transmission of pain signals.
How do Nerve Blocks Work?
Nerves are responsible for all communications between the brain and the body. Different parts of your body contain different groups of nerves, known as a ganglion or plexus. Most of the nerve roots from the spinal cord move through various ganglions to reach the brain. If you’re suffering from injuries, diseases, or dysfunctions on any part of the body along the spine, the nerve roots will carry the relevant pain signals.
A nerve block is a type of treatment that involves delivering specific medications into a targeted part of the body. Different types of pain require different types of nerve blocks. Injecting a local anesthetic into the targeted nerves helps the pain doctor diagnose the true source of pain, so they can curate a treatment plan for long-term pain relief. The pain doctor can also inject an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Types of Nerve Blocks
Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
Sympathetic nerves are those that extend down the length of the spine. They control the involuntary functions of the body, such as the dilation of blood vessels. A sympathetic nerve block in Edison determines if there’s damage to the sympathetic nerve chain.
Ganglion Nerve Blocks
Ganglion nerve blocks can determine if damage to the sympathetic nerve chain is responsible for the transmission of pain signals related to the head, neck, chest, or arm. A ganglion nerve block can identify the inflamed nerves and provide long-lasting pain relief.
Facet Joint Blocks
Facet joints are those that connect the bones of the spine together. A facet joint block is injected into targeted facet joints to reduce inflammation and determine if they’re the source of your pain. Facet joint blocks can improve your overall mobility.
Benefits of Nerve Blocks:
- Minimally invasive pain treatment
- Diagnoses the root cause of pain
- Immediately alleviates pain
- Concludes within 30 minutes
- Helps the pain doctor curate a long-term treatment plan
- No harsh side effects or complications
- No downtime
Your Nerve Block Treatment in Edison
Your nerve block treatment starts with a thorough evaluation of your condition. The pain doctor performs a physical examination, discusses your symptoms, and administers imaging tests to identify the source of pain. During the nerve block treatment, the pain doctor administers local anesthesia and inserts a specialized needle into the targeted region. The needle delivers numbing medicine and anti-inflammatory corticosteroid into the targeted nerves to prevent them from sending pain signals into the brain.
Schedule an Appointment
Edison Spine & Pain Management is a state-of-the-art interventional pain management practice specializing in minimally invasive pain treatments. Our pain doctors use cutting-edge technologies to identify and treat the root cause of chronic pain. We aim to alleviate the source of pain without relying on opioids or risky surgeries. If you experience back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or other types of pain, please schedule an appointment to explore your treatment options for a nerve block in Edison.