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What Is A Sympathetic Nerve Block?
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A Sympathetic Nerve Block is a procedure used to relieve pain by targeting the sympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like blood flow and sweating. In this procedure, an anesthetic or medication is injected near specific sympathetic nerves to block the pain signals they transmit. This treatment can help reduce pain and improve blood circulation in certain conditions.
Sympathetic nerve blocks are often used to manage chronic pain, especially when it involves the arms, legs, or abdomen, and conditions related to the overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. It can also help with diagnosing whether the sympathetic nerves are contributing to a patient's pain.
The procedure is typically done under imaging guidance, such as X-ray or ultrasound, to ensure precision.
What Conditions Does A Sympathetic Nerve Block Address?
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
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Chronic pain in the arms, legs, or abdomen
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Peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain due to diabetes or other causes)
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Phantom limb pain (after amputation)
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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
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Vascular pain (related to poor blood flow or circulation)
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Pain from shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia)
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Ischemic pain (pain due to restricted blood flow)
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Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
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Cancer-related pain affecting the abdominal organs
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Raynaud’s disease (abnormal blood vessel responses to cold or stress)
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Abdominal or pelvic pain from certain medical conditions

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