A sympathetic nerve block is a pain management treatment that involves the injection of a local anesthetic and a steroid medication into the sympathetic nerves, which are located along the spine. With these injections, nerve signals in the sympathetic nerves are blocked. This will soothe any inflammation and produce long-lasting pain relief. Sympathetic nerve blocks are often used to treat complex regional pain syndrome and other pain conditions that originate in the sympathetic nerves.

The first step of the sympathetic nerve block treatment is applying a local anesthetic to the treatment area. This helps to relieve any discomfort that may occur during the injection process. Once the treatment area is numbed, a needle will be carefully inserted into the sympathetic nerves, which are located along the front of the spine. This area will be accessed from your back, as you are lying face-down. After the needle is in place, the injection will be performed. This treatment is typically completed in less than an hour. After treatment, you may notice some minor swelling or bruising at the injection site, but these effects usually fade within a few days.