Did you know that over 51 million adults in the United States live with chronic pain? According to the CDC, that’s more than 1 in 5 Americans dealing with ongoing discomfort that impacts daily life and well-being. For those seeking real, lasting relief, nerve block injections offer a minimally invasive, highly targeted approach to treat nerve pain and reduce the need for oral medications.
At The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists, our experienced team — led by Dr. Randy Rizor — provides personalized nerve block procedures across Georgia to help patients manage chronic pain, improve mobility, and reclaim their quality of life.
Read on to learn how nerve block injections work, what they treat, and how they may help relieve your pain.
What Are Nerve Block Injections and How Do They Work?
Nerve block injections are a type of pain relief injection that delivers local anesthetic, steroids, or anti-inflammatory medication near specific nerves to block the transmission of pain signals.
Pain travels through nerves to the brain, where it's interpreted—even after the original injury has healed. Nerve blocks disrupt this pain communication loop, stopping signals at the source and allowing healing, mobility, and relief.
Common Types of Nerve Blocks and Their Uses
- Medial Branch Block: Treats spinal joint pain from the facet joints. Relief may last weeks to months.
- Genicular Nerve Block: Used for knee pain from arthritis. Offers relief for several weeks or more.
- Stellate Ganglion Block: Targets neck, head, and upper limb pain, often associated with CRPS or PTSD.
- Lumbar Sympathetic Block: Focuses on lower back and leg nerve pain, often repeated over time.
- Intercostal Nerve Block: Helps relieve chest and rib pain, including pain from shingles or trauma.
- Celiac Plexus Block: Provides relief from abdominal pain due to pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, lasting weeks to months.
These procedures are typically performed under imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) for precision and safety.
What Conditions Do Nerve Blocks Treat?
Nerve block injections can provide relief for a wide variety of acute and chronic pain conditions, including:
- Chronic neck and lower back pain
- Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
- Osteoarthritis and joint degeneration
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Post-surgical nerve pain
- Pain after shingles (herpes zoster)
- Cancer-related abdominal pain (e.g., from pancreatic cancer)
If you've tried nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, or prescription pain medicines with limited success, nerve blocks may be a more targeted and longer-lasting option.
How Do Nerve Blocks Deliver Long-Lasting Relief?
Nerve block injections provide extended relief by interrupting the pain signal pathway and calming inflammation around irritated nerves. When a local anesthetic is injected near a targeted nerve, it temporarily disables the nerve’s ability to send pain messages to the brain. In many cases, a corticosteroid is also added to reduce local inflammation, which enhances the duration of pain relief.
This combination often results in pain relief that lasts for weeks or even months, especially when supported with follow-up treatments like physical therapy or lifestyle adjustments.
How Are Nerve Block Procedures Performed?
The Nerve Block Procedure
- The patient lies in a comfortable position.
- The skin is sterilized and numbed with a local anesthetic.
- Using fluoroscopy or ultrasound, the provider guides a needle to the target nerve.
- Medication is injected to block the nerve.
- The procedure takes 15–30 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis.
Many patients feel immediate relief; others may notice improvement within a few days. For those who respond well, the pain relief may last weeks to months, especially when combined with physical therapy or other treatments.
How Long Does a Nerve Block Last?
The duration of relief depends on the type of block and the condition being treated:
- Diagnostic nerve blocks (used to locate the pain source) typically last several hours.
- Therapeutic nerve blocks often provide relief for several weeks to months.
- Celiac plexus blocks (for abdominal cancer pain) may offer pain relief lasting multiple months.
Some patients return for repeat injections as needed, or may transition to longer-term solutions such as radiofrequency ablation or spinal cord stimulation.
Benefits of Nerve Block Injections
Compared to other treatments like oral medications or surgery, nerve blocks offer several advantages:
- Rapid, targeted pain relief
- Outpatient and minimally invasive
- Lower reliance on opioid medications
- Improved ability to complete physical therapy
- Useful for diagnosis and treatment planning
- Fewer systemic side effects
For patients struggling with chronic pain, mild to moderate pain, or nerve pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, nerve blocks can be life-changing.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
While nerve block procedures are considered safe, mild side effects can occur:
- Temporary numbness or weakness
- Bruising or tenderness at the injection site
- Rare risk of bleeding or infection
At The Physicians, our providers use advanced imaging and sterile techniques to ensure a safe and effective procedure every time.
How Do Nerve Blocks Compare to Other Pain Management Options?
Here’s how nerve blocks differ from other common treatments:
- OTC Pain Medicines (NSAIDs): Provide short-term relief but may not help with nerve-related pain and can cause side effects with prolonged use.
- Prescription Medicines: Can offer relief but may involve side effects or dependency risks.
- Nerve Block Injections: Target the source of pain and offer weeks or months of relief with minimal side effects.
- Physical Therapy: Essential for recovery, but many patients need pain relief first to fully engage.
- Surgery: Sometimes necessary, but invasive and not always required; nerve blocks offer a more conservative approach.
Nerve blocks serve as a bridge—strong enough to manage pain effectively, but conservative enough to delay or avoid more aggressive treatments.
When Should You Consider a Nerve Block?
You may be a candidate for nerve blocks if you:
- Have chronic pain that hasn't improved with medication
- Want to avoid or reduce opioid usage
- Experience pain worse after nerve block (as a diagnostic clue)
- Have pain localized to a specific nerve
- Need a diagnostic tool to guide next treatment steps
Our best pain management specialists will evaluate your history, symptoms, and prior treatments to determine the best interventional option.
Discover Lasting Pain Relief with The Physicians
Nerve block injections are a safe and effective solution for managing chronic pain by targeting irritated nerves to reduce discomfort and restore quality of life. At The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists, our Georgia-based team offers advanced interventional pain management techniques tailored to your needs.
If you're searching for experienced pain management specialists near you, contact us today to schedule a consultation and see if nerve blocks are the right fit for your condition.
