Sympathetic
Blocks

Sympathetic block injections, also called sympathetic nerve blocks, are injections of medications (for example, steroids) around sympathetic nerve roots along the spine to provide temporary relief from chronic pain.

 

These injections are administered into the ganglions, nerve bundles that control the sympathetic nervous system. Ganglions are located along the spine, at the end of each spinal nerve, and extend throughout the body and control involuntary body functions. The location of the sympathetic nerve block injection will be determined by where the individual’s pain is located. Sometimes, sympathetic block injections are administered as a series of injections to provide long-term pain relief.