Quick answer: A nerve block is a minimally invasive injection of anesthetic, often with anti-inflammatory medication, placed near a specific nerve. It does two jobs: it relieves pain by interrupting pain signals, and it helps pinpoint the exact source of your pain when imaging alone isn’t enough.
How a nerve block locates pain
If numbing a specific nerve relieves your pain, that nerve is confirmed as the source, which tells your specialist exactly where to direct the next, more lasting treatment.
The main types
- Peripheral nerve blocks for pain in the arms, legs, or other extremities
- Sympathetic nerve blocks, often used for conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Spinal nerve blocks in or around the epidural space for back and neck pain
What to expect
Nerve blocks are quick, highly targeted, and performed with fluoroscopy or ultrasound for precision and safety. Relief can be immediate, and for some patients it lasts well beyond the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Is a nerve block a treatment or a test?
Both, it relieves pain and, just as importantly, helps confirm the source of your pain.
How long does the relief last?
It ranges from days to months, depending on the type of block and your condition.
Is a nerve block safe?
Yes, it’s minimally invasive and performed under real-time image guidance.
If the source of your pain is still unclear, a diagnostic nerve block can provide answers and relief at once. Schedule a consultation with Interventional Spine Specialists of Florida: call (954) 708-1184 or book online here.
