Nerve Block Injections in Phoenix, AZ
If you are experiencing nerve-related pain in Phoenix, a precisely guided nerve block may help identify the source of your symptoms and provide meaningful relief. At Premier Pain Management, nerve block injections are performed using advanced imaging guidance and a structured evaluation process to ensure accuracy, safety, and appropriate patient selection.
What Are Nerve Blocks?
Nerve blocks are injections that place numbing medicine around a specific nerve or group of nerves. The goal is to stop pain signals from traveling along that nerve pathway. These injections can do two things. They can help your doctor figure out which nerve is causing your pain. They can also provide real pain relief.
Nerve blocks can target nerves outside the spinal cord (called peripheral nerves) as well as nerves closer to the spine. Because the medicine works right at the nerve level, it can reduce pain in a specific part of your body without affecting feeling or movement in other areas.
At Premier Pain Management, we use imaging guidance during every nerve block to make sure the needle is placed in the right spot. Whether your pain comes from a nerve injury, a long term nerve condition, or a structure connected to a specific nerve, a nerve block may help us find the source and bring you relief.
Schedule a Nerve Block Evaluation in Phoenix
If you are searching for a nerve block specialist in Phoenix, Mesa, Maryvale, or Queen Creek, our team is available to evaluate your symptoms and discuss whether this procedure is right for you.
Appointments are available at our Phoenix-area locations, and same-day or next-available scheduling may be possible.
Contact Premier Pain Management today to schedule your nerve block evaluation and take the next step toward targeted, precision-based pain relief.
Nerve Block Injections for Pain Relief
A nerve block is a procedure where your doctor injects numbing medicine around a specific nerve. When the medicine surrounds the nerve, it temporarily stops that nerve from sending pain signals to your brain. It can also stop motor signals along that nerve for a short time.
There are many types of nerve blocks. Some target a single spinal nerve root. Others focus on the medial branch nerves that connect to the facet joints in your spine. Still others target peripheral nerves in your arms or legs. The type your doctor recommends depends on where your pain is and what is causing it.
Every nerve block is performed with imaging guidance. This usually means fluoroscopy (a type of live X-ray) or ultrasound. Imaging lets your doctor see the anatomy and place the needle exactly where it needs to go. This careful placement lowers the risk of nerve injury or accidental injection into a blood vessel. It also gives the nerve block the best chance of working.
Medial Branch Blocks
Medial branch blocks target the small nerves that transmit pain from the facet joints of the spine. These injections are commonly used to evaluate and treat neck and back pain originating from degenerative or inflamed facet joints.
In our Phoenix clinics, medial branch blocks are performed with precise imaging guidance to confirm correct needle placement. A successful diagnostic medial branch block may indicate candidacy for radiofrequency ablation, which can provide longer-term relief.
Nerve Root Blocks
Selective nerve root blocks target individual spinal nerve roots that may be irritated by disc herniation, bone spurs, or spinal narrowing.
By placing medication directly adjacent to the affected nerve root under fluoroscopy, we can reduce inflammation and confirm whether that nerve is the source of radiating pain into the arm or leg.
Both procedures require careful patient selection and imaging precision which are standards we maintain across all Phoenix-area locations.
Conditions Treated with Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks can treat a wide range of pain conditions where the pain travels along a specific nerve or group of nerves. Common uses include neck pain, back pain, radiculopathy (pain that radiates into the arms or legs), peripheral nerve pain from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica, and pain that follows surgery or injury.
Nerve blocks are also helpful when the nerve itself is damaged or irritated. This includes conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In these cases, a targeted nerve block can interrupt abnormal pain signals and may help reset the pain pathway.
The specific nerve or nerves that need to be blocked depend on your symptoms and test results. Your doctor will do a full evaluation that includes your medical history, a physical exam, and often imaging studies. This helps pinpoint which nerve is most likely causing your pain so the injection can be as accurate as possible.
Diagnostic vs Therapeutic Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks serve two important roles: diagnostic and therapeutic. Understanding the difference can help you know what to expect and why your doctor may recommend one or both.
Diagnostic Nerve Blocks
A diagnostic nerve block uses a short acting numbing medicine to test whether a specific nerve is the source of your pain. If the injection takes away your pain right away and the relief lasts as long as the medicine does, that tells your doctor the targeted nerve is the problem.
This information is very valuable. It helps guide your next treatment steps. For example, if a diagnostic block confirms that a certain nerve is causing your pain, your doctor may then recommend radiofrequency ablation or another targeted therapy that can provide longer lasting results.
Therapeutic Nerve Blocks
A therapeutic nerve block uses the same general approach but with the goal of providing extended pain relief. Longer acting numbing medicines may be used. In some cases, additional medicines may be added to the injection to help the pain relief last even longer than the numbing medicine alone.
Therapeutic nerve blocks are often part of a larger pain management plan. They can give you a window of relief that makes it easier to participate in physical therapy, stay active, and improve your daily quality of life.
How Long Nerve Block Relief Lasts
How long pain relief lasts after a nerve block depends mainly on the type of numbing medicine used. Short acting medicines like lidocaine usually provide relief for several hours up to a day. Longer acting medicines like bupivacaine or ropivacaine may provide relief that lasts several hours to a few days.
When your doctor adds medicines like corticosteroids to the injection, the relief may last weeks or even months. The steroid works by reducing inflammation around the nerve. However, the main effect of a nerve block comes from the numbing medicine, and that effect is temporary.
Because standard nerve blocks provide temporary relief, they are often used as a stepping stone to longer lasting treatments. A successful diagnostic nerve block may lead to radiofrequency ablation, which can provide pain relief for many months. A series of therapeutic nerve blocks may also be part of a complete pain management plan that includes physical therapy and other treatments.
What to Expect During a Nerve Block Procedure
Nerve blocks are performed on an outpatient basis in our Phoenix-area procedure suites equipped with imaging technology.
During the procedure:
- The treatment area is sterilized
- Imaging is used to identify the target nerve
- A thin needle is guided into position under live visualization
- Medication is injected precisely around the nerve
The procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Most patients tolerate it well and return home the same day. Because temporary numbness may affect coordination, patients should arrange transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nerve Blocks
Are nerve blocks painful?
Most patients feel only mild discomfort during a nerve block. Your doctor may numb the skin with a small injection of local anesthetic before placing the main needle. You might feel some pressure or a brief sting, but the procedure is generally well tolerated. Many patients say it is less uncomfortable than they expected.
How many nerve blocks will I need?
The number of nerve blocks you need depends on your specific condition and how your body responds to the first injection. Some patients get significant relief from a single block. Others may benefit from a series of injections as part of a broader treatment plan. Your doctor will work with you to decide the right approach based on your results.
What is the difference between a nerve block and an epidural steroid injection?
Is a Nerve Block Right for You?
Persistent nerve-related pain can interfere with sleep, work, and daily movement. If your pain radiates down your arm or leg, worsens with certain positions, or has not improved with conservative care, a targeted nerve block may help identify the source and provide meaningful relief.
At Premier Pain Management, nerve blocks are not performed casually. Every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether the procedure is medically appropriate and which nerve should be targeted. Imaging guidance is used for every injection to ensure precision and safety.
If a nerve block confirms the source of your pain, it can open the door to longer-lasting treatment options and a more structured recovery plan.
Schedule a Nerve Block Evaluation
If you are experiencing persistent nerve-related pain in Phoenix, Mesa, Maryvale, or Queen Creek, a structured evaluation can determine whether a nerve block is appropriate for your condition.