What types of pain can be treated with nerve blocks?

Generally, nerve blocks can treat various types of pain, including headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, sciatica, knee pain, etc. The specific applications are as follows:

1. Headache

Examples include migraine and cluster headaches. For migraines, a greater occipital nerve block can be performed. By blocking the conduction of the greater occipital nerve, it can reduce the dilation of head blood vessels and nerve sensitivity, thereby relieving pain. For cluster headaches, sphenopalatine ganglion block can be used to regulate neurovascular function in the head and achieve pain relief.

2. Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe, sudden pain within the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve. By blocking the branches of the trigeminal nerve and applying medication to the corresponding nerves, pain signal transmission can be effectively blocked, alleviating pain symptoms and improving patients' quality of life.

3. Postherpetic Neuralgia

After the varicella-zoster virus invades the nerves, neuralgia may persist even after the rash has healed. Depending on the location of the pain, corresponding nerve blocks can be performed—for example, intercostal nerve blocks for postherpetic neuralgia in the chest area, or lumbosacral nerve blocks for pain in the lower back, buttocks, and other areas—to reduce nerve inflammation and pain.

4. Sciatica

Sciatica is commonly caused by compression of the sciatic nerve due to conditions such as lumbar disc herniation. Performing a sciatic nerve block by injecting medication at sites such as the infrapiriformis foramen can reduce nerve compression and inflammation, alleviate radiating pain and numbness along the sciatic nerve in the lower limbs, and improve the patient's walking and mobility.

5. Knee Pain

This commonly occurs in conditions such as osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis. By performing femoral nerve blocks, sciatic nerve blocks, or blocking nerve branches around the knee joint, pain signal transmission around the knee can be blocked, reducing pain caused by inflammatory stimulation. This helps patients perform rehabilitation exercises and promotes recovery of knee joint function.

When selecting a treatment method, decisions should be made based on the patient's specific condition and the doctor's recommendations. Additionally, nerve block therapy may carry certain risks and side effects, such as local infection and nerve damage; therefore, it should be conducted under a physician's guidance.