Chronic pain can affect much more than the area that hurts. It may interfere with your sleep, movement, work, mood, and ability to enjoy ordinary activities. When medication, rest, or other conservative treatments have not provided enough relief, a nerve block may help identify where the pain originates and, in some cases, provide meaningful relief.
At Pain & Wellness Institute, Dr. Devang Padalia offers several types of image-guided nerve blocks for patients at our Tampa and Apollo Beach locations. The exact procedure recommended depends on the location, cause, and pattern of your pain.
What Is a Nerve Block?
Nerves carry messages between your body and brain. When a nerve becomes irritated, compressed, injured, or unusually sensitive, it may repeatedly send pain signals—even after the original injury has healed.
A nerve block involves placing medication near a specific nerve or group of nerves. The medication may include a local anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory medication, or a combination selected for the individual procedure.
By temporarily interrupting or reducing pain signals, a nerve block may serve two purposes:
- Diagnostic: It helps determine whether a specific nerve is responsible for the pain.
- Therapeutic: It may reduce pain and inflammation, making daily movement and other treatments more manageable.
Some nerve blocks are also used before a longer-lasting procedure, such as radiofrequency ablation. If a temporary block provides substantial relief, that response may confirm that the targeted nerves are contributing to the symptoms.
When May a Nerve Block Be Recommended?
Nerve blocks may be considered when chronic pain follows a recognizable nerve pathway or comes from a particular structure supplied by specific nerves.
Depending on the type of block, they may be used for:
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Pain originating from the spinal joints
- Sciatica and radiating nerve pain
- Rib, chest, or abdominal wall pain
- Chronic postsurgical pain
- Pelvic or groin pain
- Trigeminal neuralgia and certain facial pain conditions
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Cancer-related pain
- Pain associated with shingles
- Persistent pain after an injury
A nerve block is not automatically appropriate for everyone with chronic pain. We first evaluate your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, physical findings, and available imaging to identify the most likely source.
Types of Nerve Blocks Offered at Our Practice
Pain & Wellness Institute provides different nerve-block procedures based on the affected area.
Medial Branch Blocks
Medial branch nerves carry pain signals from the facet joints in the spine. A medial branch block may help determine whether these joints are contributing to chronic neck or back pain. A successful response may indicate that radiofrequency ablation is an appropriate next step.
Intercostal Nerve Blocks
Intercostal nerves run beneath the ribs. These blocks may be used for persistent rib, chest, or upper abdominal pain caused by conditions such as shingles, scar tissue, fractures, or previous surgery.
Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
Stellate ganglion and lumbar sympathetic blocks target nerves involved in the sympathetic nervous system. They may be considered for complex regional pain syndrome and certain chronic pain conditions affecting an arm or leg.
Pelvic and Abdominal Nerve Blocks
Ganglion impar, hypogastric plexus, ilioinguinal nerve, and celiac plexus blocks may be used for selected forms of pelvic, abdominal, groin, or cancer-related pain.
Trigeminal Nerve Blocks
The trigeminal nerve supplies sensation to much of the face. A targeted block may be considered for trigeminal neuralgia or other difficult-to-manage facial pain.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Most nerve blocks are performed as outpatient procedures. You will be positioned so Dr. Padalia can safely reach the targeted area. The skin is cleaned, and a local anesthetic may be used to improve your comfort.
Depending on the type of block, fluoroscopy or another imaging method may be used to guide the needle. Image guidance helps confirm accurate placement near the intended nerve while avoiding nearby structures. The medication is then administered, and you may be monitored briefly afterward.
The procedure itself is generally short, although preparation and recovery time vary. You may need someone to drive you home, particularly if sedation is used or temporary numbness and weakness are expected.
How Long Does Pain Relief Last?
The answer depends on why the nerve block was performed and which medications were used.
A diagnostic block may only provide relief for several hours. That short response can still give us useful information about the source of your symptoms. When an anti-inflammatory medication is included, relief may take several days to develop and could continue for weeks or months.
Some patients receive significant relief, while others notice only limited or temporary improvement. A nerve block cannot guarantee a particular result, but your response can help us determine the next step in your care.
Are There Risks?
Nerve blocks are minimally invasive, but every procedure carries potential risks. These may include temporary soreness, bleeding, infection, numbness, weakness, medication reactions, or nerve injury. Certain blocks have additional procedure-specific risks based on the anatomy being treated.
Before recommending treatment, we review your medications and health history. Be sure to tell us if you take blood thinners, have an infection, are pregnant, have allergies, or have previously reacted to anesthetic or contrast material.
Find the Source of Your Chronic Pain
When chronic pain has not improved, knowing which nerve or structure is generating the symptoms can make treatment more focused. At Pain & Wellness Institute, we take the time to listen, evaluate your condition, and determine whether a diagnostic or therapeutic nerve block belongs in your care plan.
To learn whether a nerve block may be appropriate for your chronic pain, call Pain & Wellness Institute at (813) 873-7777 to schedule an appointment at our Tampa or Apollo Beach office.