Chronic pain is any pain that lasts for over three months. It could be due to an injury or illness or something as simple as sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long. The pain may also be linked to something like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Chronic pain is a serious issue for most people. If left undressed, it can interfere with your ability to work, go about your daily life, and enjoy lasting relationships. There are several treatment options for chronic pain, including nerve blocks Austin.
Here is everything you need to know about nerve blocks.
What are nerve blocks?
Nerve blocks are a type of injection that your doctor can use to treat chronic pain. The block involves injecting an anesthetic (numbing medicine) into the nerve that controls the pain. The aim is to deter the signals from traveling along that nerve to the brain.
Nerve blocks are ideal for several body parts but are primarily used in the legs and the spine. They often treat back or leg pain resulting from arthritis, herniated discs, and sciatica.
How do nerve blocks work?
Nerve blocks are usually done under local anesthesia so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your doctor will inject a small amount of anesthetic into an area next to where nerves come together, for example, near tendons or ligaments, to temporarily stop them from sending messages to your brain. Depending on the specific condition being treated, this may relieve pain for several months or longer.
Type of pains that require nerve blocks
Back pain: Nerve blocks can treat chronic back pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments, such as exercise and medications. They are also sometimes used before spine surgery to help relieve pain until surgery can be done.
Neck pain: Nerve blocks can be helpful for certain types of neck pain, such as cervical radiculopathy (nerve compression in the neck).
Muscle spasms and cramping: Patients with muscle spasms or cramping may benefit from steroid injections into the muscles (peripheral nerve blocks). These injections reduce inflammation in muscles and help relax them.
Surgery complications: In some cases, nerve blocks are used to numb areas that will be cut or operated on so patients don’t feel discomfort when they wake up from anesthesia.
Headaches: A headache can be caused by many things, including stress, tension, or muscle spasms. If you have chronic headaches, your doctor may recommend a nerve block to help relieve the pain. The procedure works by blocking the impulses sent from your brain to the problem muscles in your head and neck that cause pain. This can stop muscle spasms and reduce inflammation in the surrounding tissues.
Pain is a normal, protective response by the nervous system to noxious stimuli such as heat or pressure. In many cases, it is impossible to identify where the pain originates in the body. Nerve blocks can help determine whether the pain is coming from a particular area of your body by blocking one or more nerves near the site of your pain. If you are struggling with chronic pain, experts at Republic Spine and Pain can help. Give them a call today.