What Are Sympathetic Nerves?

Along the front of the spine, next to the vertebral bodies, there is a chain of nerves known as the sympathetic nerve chain. These nerves are responsible for transmitting pain and temperature signals between the arms, legs, abdomen, pelvis, and the spinal cord and brain. Their activity can be selectively “switched off” using percutaneous procedures, known as sympathetic nerve blocks.

How Is the Therapeutic Nerve Block Treatment Performed?

The procedure typically begins with a diagnostic block. If it proves effective, a longer-lasting treatment is performed, usually using radiofrequency ablation.

These include procedures such as stellate ganglion block, thoracic sympathetic block, splanchnic nerve block, lumbar sympathetic block, hypogastric block, and ganglion impar neurolysis.

Specialized Therapeutic Block Treatments

We offer a range of targeted nerve block procedures designed to reduce pain, improve circulation, and enhance quality of life. These minimally invasive treatments are tailored to the underlying cause of pain and can provide both diagnostic and long-term therapeutic benefits.

Stellate Ganglion Block

This procedure targets the cervical sympathetic ganglion in the neck to reduce pain in the face, chest, and upper limb while improving blood circulation.

Indications include:

• CRPS
• Raynaud’s syndrome and vascular disorders
• Hyperhidrosis
• Post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles)
• Post-COVID loss of smell

The procedure is ultrasound-guided, performed on an outpatient basis, and takes only a few minutes. Recovery is rapid. Temporary effects such as pupil constriction, warmth in the limb, or facial flushing may occur but typically resolve within a few hours.

Thoracic Sympathetic Nerve Treatment

This treatment targets the thoracic sympathetic nerves to improve circulation and reduce pain in the upper limbs.

Indications include:

• CRPS
• Raynaud’s syndrome
• Buerger’s disease
• Hyperhidrosis

The procedure is performed in an operating room under X-ray guidance and typically takes 30–60 minutes. Patients usually return to normal activities the following day. Results often include warmer limbs and reduced pain.

Splanchnic Nerve Treatment

This procedure focuses on abdominal nerves and is primarily used to manage severe, cancer-related pain.

Indications include:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Other chronic abdominal pain conditions

It is performed under sedation or anesthesia and takes approximately 30–60 minutes. Patients often experience rapid pain relief and may reduce their reliance on pain medication. Normal daily activities can usually be resumed the next day.

Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Treatment

This treatment targets the lumbar sympathetic nerves to improve circulation and relieve pain in the lower limbs.

Indications include:

• CRPS
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Diabetic foot

Performed under X-ray guidance in an operating room, the procedure takes 30–60 minutes. Patients typically notice improved circulation, warmer limbs, and reduced pain, with a return to normal activity the next day.

Hypogastric Block

This procedure targets the pelvic nerve plexus and is mainly used to treat cancer-related pelvic pain.

Benefits:

• Long-lasting pain relief
• Reduced need for pain medication

Ganglion Impar Block

This treatment focuses on a nerve cluster located in front of the sacrum and is used to relieve pain in the perineal and pelvic regions.

Indications include:

• Cancer-related pain in the rectal, perineal, or vaginal area

Patients often experience significant, long-term pain relief along with a reduced need for medication.