Sympathetic blocks are treatments available to patients who are suffering from CRPS or chronic pelvic or abdominal pain.
Sympathetic nerve blocks are safe procedures for treating a variety of chronic pain issues affecting different areas of your body. The key to success is in the proper targeting of the nerve that manages the area causing the pain.
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Conditions Treated With Sympathetic Blocks
A sympathetic nerve block can be used to diagnose or treat pain involving the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. Examples of conditions for which a sympathetic nerve block might be used include:
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
- Leg pain and swelling
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Pelvic Pain
- Abdominal pain
We perform sympathetic blocks in our Manhattan and Brooklyn locations.
Typical Benefits Of Sympathetic Blocks
- The goal is to “reset” the spinal cord and brain and interrupt the pain cycle.
- Less need for systemic opioids (narcotics) and less nausea as a result.
- Improves mobility.
- Reduces pain and swelling.
- Provides pain relief or provides diagnostic support to determine whether pain was originating from the sympathetic nervous system.
- Very short recovery period. Patients may return to work same day or next day.
Book an Appointment Online 929-363-0303
Commonly Asked Questions About Sympathetic Blocks
What conditions do sympathetic blocks treat?
Sympathetic blocks treat pain related to Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), pelvic pain, chronic abdominal pain, post surgical pain and cancer related pain.
What is a lumbar sympathetic block?
When the pain experienced by an individual stems from sympathetic nervous system, a lumbar sympathetic block can be performed. Using an X-ray machine, a small needle is advanced towards the nerves that are damaged. A local anesthetic and a steroid is injected around the nerves, which interrupts the pain pathway. The procedure is designed to be both diagnostic and therapeutic, and typically offers immediate pain relief to the patient.
What to expect after a sympathetic nerve block?
You will be monitored in the recovery room for 30 minutes. Most of the time the pain reduction occurs within minutes. This is typically accompanied by increased temperature of the affected extremity. The anesthetic medication which causes pain relief will typically stop working in a few hours and the steroid medication will start working in a few days. Thus, while the pain reduction is typically immediate we encourage our patients to wait a full week for full results.
How long does a sympathetic nerve block last?
The results are variable and will depend on the severity of the condition. For some patients this treatment provides long lasting pain relief. For other, the effects can last a few weeks to months, and the procedure may need to be repeated. For patients suffering from CRPS or chronic pelvic pain, we offer this treatment up to 4 times a year if needed.
How is a sympathetic nerve block done?
The procedure is done with the assistance of anesthesiologist to provide you with a painless experience. An IV is placed and a mild sedative is injected. You do not need to be completely asleep, but comfortably sedated. The patient is positioned on the table face down. Using a live X ray machine, a small needle is inserted through the back towards the sympathetic chain. Once in place, a local anesthetic and a steroid is injected through the needle to effectively block pain transmission from those nerves.
When sympathetic nerve block wears off?
It typically takes a few weeks to months for the block to wear off. However, when used in series the results can last much longer.
How Sympathetic Blocks Work
A sympathetic nerve block injection involves injecting a local numbing anesthetic (Lidocaine, Bupivacaine) and a corticosteroid into a space where the sympathetic nerve roots are located. The location of your pain usually determines where you’ll receive the nerve block. The sympathetic nerves come together outside the spine in a networks of nerves called the sympathetic chain. If you’re experiencing pain in the upper part of your body, you may get pain relief from blocking the stellate ganglion or sympathetic chain in your neck area. If you have pain in the lower part of your body, a ganglion near the lower spine may be targeted with a lumbar sympathetic block.
A local skin anesthetic is injected to numb the skin. A needle will be inserted near the ganglion or sympathetic chain under X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy). Once proper positioning is confirmed, local anesthetic and steroid is injected around the sympathetic chain. This procedure takes less than 15 minutes. You will be offered intravenous sedation to make the procedure more comfortable. It is generally not painful and very well tolerated.
If you are suffering from back, neck, nerve, or another type of pain please contact us at 929-363-0303 or book an evaluation online to learn if a sympathetic block is right for you.
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We Accept Most Insurances:
- 1199 SEIU Funds
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- New York State: The Empire Plan
- Cigna
- Consolidated Health Plans
- Fidelis Care
- GHI
- HealthFirst
- HIP – Emblem Health
- Magncare
- Medicare
- Meritain Health
- MetroPlus Health Plan
- Multiplan
- Oscar
- Oxford Freedom
- Tricare
- UMR
- United Healthcare
To book an appointment fill out the form below, or call 929-363-0303 if you have any questions or prefer to book over the phone.