Nerve Blocks

Nerve Blocks in The Woodlands and Houston

If you are dealing with chronic pain or getting ready for surgery, you may be wondering what your treatment options are for pain relief. Fortunately, not everyone has to take prescription medications, which may lead to side effects. There is another way to deliver nerve pain medication in the form of a nerve block. At Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, we are proud to offer nerve blocks in The Woodlands and Houston. What do you need to know about this style of pain management?

What Is a Nerve Block?

A nerve block is an injection that delivers a dose of pain medication directly to the nerve. If your healthcare professional is able to identify exactly what nerve is causing chronic pain, he or she may be able to use a nerve block to numb that nerve and treat your pain effectively.

How Does a Nerve Block Work?

Your brain interprets pain when it receives specific signals from nerves in your body. Will deliver medication to problematic nerves during a nerve block that will silence them, preventing them from sending pain signals to the brain. Therefore, this can provide effective numbing before a procedure. Depending on the specific nerve, location, and types of nerve blocks of medication used, a nerve block could also provide long-term pain relief.

What Are the Benefits?

There are several benefits of undergoing a nerve block. These include:

• A nerve block may not lead to the same side effects as opioid or narcotic medications used for nerve blocks taken orally.
• A nerve block is not nearly invasive as a surgical procedure, which can prevent you from having to set foot in an operating room.
• A nerve block can be incredibly effective as it silences problematic nerves for several weeks or months.
• A nerve block is a safe and effective procedure with minimal side effects.
• A nerve block can also be used in lieu of general anesthesia for an upcoming procedure.

These are just a few of the many benefits of receiving a nerve block as a treatment for chronic pain.

When and Where it can Administer?

A nerve block can administer at just about any time. As long as the doctor can identify exactly which nerve is causing problems, he or she may be able to target it with a nerve block. If the prior injection wears off, patients can return for a repeat injection without having to worry about excessive complications or side effects. A nerve block is also recommended for patients who are unable to control their pain with other methods but do not want to have surgery.
In addition, a nerve block is used to numb the specific nerves before surgical procedures. There are several locations where nerve blocks might be effective. These include:

• A nerve block can be effective in targeting certain nerves in the hand.
• A nerve block can target nerves in the elbow and forearm.
• Nerve blocks are also used to numb the upper arm and shoulder before surgery.
• Nerve blocks can also be used prior to knee surgery.
• Some patients have a nerve block to treat pain in the hip, foot, or ankle.
• Specific nerve blocks can also be used prior to facial surgery.

Keep in mind that a nerve block can be used to treat acute pain and chronic pain in addition to numbing nerves prior to surgical procedures.

Contact Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers for a Nerve Block Appointment

If you are looking for a new style of nerve pain medication in Houston, we can help you. We are Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, and we are a multidisciplinary service located in the Greater Houston and The Woodlands areas. We offer physical therapy, pain management, treatment for neuropathy, nerve blocks in The Woodlands and Houston, and more. We offer every patient a consultation, and we only recommend surgery as a last resort. Contact us today to make an appointment!