Whether it is because of an ankle injury, sore throat, post-surgery, or another health issue, pain is part of everyday life. Though it is usually transient and subsides over time, it is not always the case. Sometimes, pain can become chronic, lasting months or even years. As a result, it could have a substantial effect on your physical, emotional, and social wellness. Nerve blocks today are an important part of the therapy for numerous persons who struggle with chronic pain. So, how does a nerve block in Houston work? Continue reading to find out more and discover what you can expect following this procedure.
What Exactly Is A Nerve Block?
At Houston Pain Specialists, certified pain management specialist Hui Kang, MD, and his expert team offer noninvasive nerve blocks. The procedure entails injecting a drug into a particular nerve or a group of nerves. Anesthetic is included in the injection substance to inhibit nerve signals in the targeted area from informing your brain that you are in pain.
Your specialist may incorporate anti-swelling medicine (steroid) in the injection based on the area and nature of your pain. This anti-inflammatory drug will assist to alleviate inflammation and swelling at the targeted region.
What Conditions Could A Nerve Block Help Correct?
A nerve block injection helps alleviate chronic pain caused by various conditions, including:
- Headaches
- Back discomfort caused by constricting of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), herniated discs, and other illnesses
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS); a type of chronic pain that causes persistent burning or throbbing in the affected area
A nerve block does not actually ‘fix’ the problem that is triggering your discomfort. Nevertheless, it could provide you with relief for several, which is really useful in and of itself.
Moreover, it allows you to undertake rehabilitation, including guided physical therapy and other restorative therapies that you might have trouble engaging in without the pain relief offered by a nerve block.
Will You Require An Assessment First?
Pain is one of the body’s best cues that something is amiss. Therefore, Dr. Kang does not suggest a nerve block till you have had a comprehensive assessment and diagnostic investigations as needed to uncover the root problem.
Pain can sometimes radiate or appear to come from an unconnected location. Shooting or burning pain in the back of your thigh and buttocks, for example, might appear to be a leg or hip problem. However, this type of discomfort is frequently caused by spinal compression fractures in the lower back. A comprehensive examination will help your provider determine this, and a nerve block may be just one aspect of the care plan.
During A Nerve Block Injection, What Should You Expect?
Before you plan a block, Dr. Kang and his team will go through everything in detail. Nonetheless, it is a fairly straightforward process that normally takes less than an hour. The procedure is conducted at Houston Pain Specialists.
Your specialist will ensure that you are comfortable before cleansing and numbing the injection site. He then inserts the needle and uses cutting-edge X-ray images to confirm the injection enters the correct treatment zone before releasing the drug.
After your nerve block injection, you may feel some slight discomfort at the injection site, but it will fade rapidly. There is no need for prolonged recovery after your session. Nonetheless, Dr. Kang may advise you to rest for a brief period to allow the drug to function.
Do not allow daunting pain to take a toll on your overall wellness and life quality when there are simple solutions that could provide you the relief you need. Though nerve blocks are quite effective for many people in addressing their concerns, it is not a one-size-fits-all. To determine if nerve blocks are appropriate for you, call the office of Houston Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.
