Chronic back or neck pain that won’t go away, no matter how many stretches or over-the-counter pain medications you try, creates frustration and even hopelessness. But did you know that nerve blocks and other pain injections may offer you an effective solution to back and neck pain related to nerve irritation, compression, or inflammation?
At Total Spine Institute, Dr. Andrew Fox and Dr. Ryan Mattie provide nerve blocks to new and existing patients around Sherman Oaks and Calabasas, California. If you’re wondering what to expect from this type of injection procedure, here’s the information you need.
Nerve block injections can address back or neck pain related to multiple types of conditions, from degenerating spinal discs to spinal stenosis and arthritis. Nerve blocks are also effective relief for pinched or compressed spinal nerves.
If you’ve tried multiple conservative treatment methods to address your chronic pain without sufficient success, your Total Spine Institute provider may recommend a nerve block injection.
In this type of treatment, an injection containing a local anesthetic rapidly numbs the area where your pain originates. That might be enough to break the cycle of chronic pain for you, resolving your symptoms. Nerve block injections can also give your provider important diagnostic information about the exact location and nature of your pain complaint.
A nerve block is a relatively simple, minimally invasive procedure. It takes less than half an hour to complete, and you won’t need to do anything special to prepare for your appointment.
When you arrive for your procedure, your provider positions you on an exam table, ensuring the targeted injection area is easily accessible. We clean your skin thoroughly before your injection.
Before the injection, we use topical numbing agents to ensure you won’t feel too much discomfort from the needle. You may still feel a slight pinching sedation when the needle penetrates your skin. Mild sedatives are also available to help you stay calm during treatment.
The guidance of ultrasound technology helps your provider to exactly target your nerve block injection. Many nerves can be targeted for nerve blocks. Once the injection is delivered, you rest for a short period while the medication in the injection takes effect.
After your injection is complete, you can head home or back to work. You may need a ride after your appointment if you've received sedation.
With nerve block injections, your pain relief results typically appear right away. This pain relief can make life easier for you in the coming days and may give your body the chance it needs to recover from cyclical nerve inflammation problems, potentially ending your pain in the long term.
You should know, however, that not every patient finds results with this type of treatment. If your nerve block isn’t effective, your provider at Total Spine Institute continues to work with you on effectively addressing your back or neck pain. You may also need multiple nerve block treatments for effective results.
For the support you need to recover from back and neck pain, contact the team at Total Spine Institute today and learn if nerve block injections could be right for you. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online or over the phone.
