Sympathetic Nerve blocks
The sympathetic nerves help make up your autonomic nervous system and are located outside of your spinal column.
They are responsible for all sorts of functions including neuropathic pain, sweating, body temperature regulation, heart rate and much more. In some pain conditions, like chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the sympathetic nervous system could inappropriately transmit pain signals, in which case, we can block these signals with a sympathetic block.
A sympathetic block can be performed in multiple different locations.
Stellate ganglion block would be in your cervical column and would address upper extremity, neck, and head pain.
Celiac plexus block would be completed in your mid-back, or thoracic column and would address chronic pain associated with digestive organs, such as your pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, liver or stomach.
Lumbar sympathetic block is done in your lumbar spine and addresses neuropathic pain syndromes such as CRPS or causalgia in your lower extremities.
Superior hypogastric plexus block is done at the L5-S1 level and is done to address sympathetic pain in the pelvis.
Ganglion Impar sympathetic block is done in the sacrococcygeal junction and is used to address perineum pain.
