Neck Pain Relief
Nerve Blocks for Neck and Back Pain Relief
If you’re dealing with back or neck pain, you know how debilitating it can be. When it comes to finding the right neck pain relief, there are lots of options you can try that can make dealing with this type of pain easier. One method to help with neck and back pain relief is something called nerve blocks. What is this procedure, and how can it help you? Read on to find out more.
What are Nerve Blocks?
Your body has several nerves that connect to different parts of the body. When these nerves become damaged or inflamed, they send pain signals to the brain. In order to get neck pain relief or back pain relief, an injection is given to numb the nerve in a specific part of your body. Once the nerve is numb, you should experience the back and neck pain relief you’ve been waiting for. Typically, a cervical epidural, thoracic epidural, and lumbar epidural block are administered for the back and neck, while a cervical plexus or paravertebral block may be given for pain in the upper neck area.
How Does it Work?
Once you schedule a consultation and determine that a nerve block is needed, a small needle is inserted through the skin and toward the injection site. The medication in the injection will be administered as close to the areas of your body where you feel pain as possible. Once the medication takes effect, it will shut down the pain receptors within the nerves that are causing you pain. Imaging is used to ensure that the needle is being placed in the best location. It should only take a few minutes after the nerve block is administered for you to start feeling relief.
What Else You Should Know
While a nerve block can give you back pain relief, they’re only a temporary solution. You should have relief for about one to two weeks, then you might notice that the nerve block is starting to wear off. You may need several rounds of nerve blocks in order to get more long-term relief. The process only takes a few minutes, and it can be well worth the effort if you’re currently suffering from moderate to severe pain in the back or neck.