Sympathetic Nerve Block

Resetting the Pain Response: How Sympathetic Nerve Blocks Offer Relief from Chronic Nerve Pain

Some types of pain are more than physical—they come from a misfiring nervous system that keeps sending pain signals long after an injury has healed. If you’re experiencing chronic, burning, or shooting pain—especially in the arms, legs, hands, or feet—a sympathetic nerve block may offer the relief you’ve been searching for.

At Pain Management Solutions, we use sympathetic nerve blocks to help patients break the cycle of nerve-related pain and regain control of their lives.

What Is a Sympathetic Nerve Block?

A sympathetic nerve block is an injection of medication around a group of nerves called the sympathetic nerves—part of the autonomic nervous system that helps regulate involuntary body functions like blood flow, digestion, and sweating. In some conditions, these nerves become overactive and contribute to ongoing pain, inflammation, and changes in skin temperature or color.

The goal of a sympathetic block is to “reset” these nerves and reduce pain signals to the brain.

Conditions Treated with Sympathetic Blocks

Sympathetic nerve blocks are commonly used to diagnose and treat several painful conditions, including:

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS / RSD)
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Chronic abdominal or pelvic pain
• Shingles-related pain (postherpetic neuralgia)
• Vascular pain or poor circulation in limbs

How the Procedure Works

Depending on the location of the pain, different types of sympathetic blocks may be used—such as stellate ganglion blocks (for the neck and upper limbs) or lumbar sympathetic blocks (for the lower back and legs).

The procedure typically involves:

1. Lying comfortably while your skin is cleaned and numbed.
2. Using image guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) to place a small needle near the sympathetic nerve chain.
3. Injecting an anesthetic (and sometimes a steroid) to block the nerve signals.

The entire process usually takes 30 minutes or less and is done on an outpatient basis.

What to Expect After the Injection

• Some patients feel immediate relief, while others notice improvement over the next several days.
• Temporary side effects may include warmth, redness, or slight weakness in the limb.
• Multiple injections may be recommended for long-term relief or as part of a broader treatment plan.

Why Choose Pain Management Solutions?

Dr. Francis Pecoraro and our team at Pain Management Solutions specialize in advanced interventional techniques for chronic pain. If you’ve been diagnosed with CRPS or another nerve-related condition, a sympathetic nerve block may be a key step toward reducing your pain and improving function.

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Next Steps

If nerve pain is interfering with your daily life and other treatments haven’t helped, a sympathetic nerve block may offer a new path forward. Contact Pain Management Solutions today to schedule an evaluation and learn more about your options for lasting relief.