Our Treatments

The center was designed to deliver treatment to pain patients in a caring and compassionate manner,
with an understanding of how chronic pain can affect numerous facets of an individual’s life.

What is a Sympathetic Block?

Includes lumbar sympathetic block, stellate ganglion block, hypogastric block and ganglion of impar block. A sympathetic nerve block can be used to diagnose or treat pain involving the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. For example: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Upper and Lower Extremities, Pain and Spasms from Venous Insufficiency, Abdominal Pain (including due to the Pancreas, Liver, Gallbladder etc.), Pelvic Pain as well as Venous Insufficiency.

How does this procedure work?

The nerve causing the pain is localized under fluoroscopy. The treatment is performed percutaneously, through a small needle cannula under local anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care. This minimally invasive procedure blocks the nerves resulting in these various types of pain.

How many treatments will i need?

1-3 treatments are usually required in conjunction with physical therapy. A more permanent procedure may follow temporary blockade to achieve 1-2 years of relief; where treatments may be repeated every 1-2 years for severely damaged sympathetic nerves.

What is the recovery time of this procedure?

Once the procedure is complete, a band aid will be applied and the patient will be escorted to a recovery room where they will be monitored for a short time, and will be able to leave the office shortly after. Rarely temporary extremity weakness or numbness can occur; therefore, you should have a driver attend the appointment with you to drive you home.

You will be able to ambulate after the procedure and may feel slight discomfort, so it is recommended to take it easy for 24 hours and may resume full activity the next day. Soreness around the injection site is normal and may be relieved by using ice and taking a mild analgesic. It is a good idea to keep a record of your pain level during the next few weeks. You may notice a slight increase in pain, numbness or weakness as the numbing medicine wears off and healing begins. Follow-up is usually scheduled in 1-2 weeks and immediate rehabilitation therapy is recommended to return to normal life.

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