Selective Nerve Root Blocks
What are Selective Nerve Root Blocks?
Selective Nerve Root Blocks can help with chronic pain caused by sciatica or other nerve issues. This type of pain can be debilitating. It can produce a lower quality of life and even depression as you deal with incurable and unmanageable pain. Too frequently, adults don’t seek treatment for this type of pain. If you are experiencing chronic back pain you should consult a physician and consider selective nerve root blocks or SNRBs to isolate the cause of the pain and determine treatment.
According to studies by the American medical association, back pain is the leading cause of disability for American workers. More than one half of adults in the United States will experience chronic pain at some time in their lives.
The difference between chronic and acute pain is typically the duration. If pain lasts more than three months it is typically diagnosed and treated as chronic. Seeking treatment will not only alleviate the symptoms of pain but will also improve the overall quality of life. Chronic pain is also a cause of depression so it is important to understand all the possible effects.
Selective nerve root blocks are a way to determine the exact location and cause of the chronic pain. An injection of steroids and an anesthetic is given to the area believed to be the cause of the discomfort. At this point the patient is asked to perform his or her normal range of motions and the ones that typically cause pain. If there is no pain then the location of the inflammation can be determined.
Beyond diagnostic tools such as selective nerve root blocks, it is important to make lifestyle changes to improve symptoms and alleviate depression. Not smoking and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is imperative. You may also wish to improve your posture, invest in comfortable shoes and the right firm mattress to help with symptoms.
Determining the cause of the chronic pain is an important first step toward treatment. Treatments can come in a number of forms, including physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. If these less invasive procedures do not provide relieve for your symptoms of chronic pain, you and your specialist may seek additional treatments, such as long-term nerve blocks or surgery.
Selective nerve root blocks can provide the answers you’re seeking concerning your chronic pain.
Before visiting your doctor to discuss treatments, assess the severity of your pain, conduct your own research and determine the best ways to communicate your symptoms. You may wish to start keeping a pain journal to chronicle your experiences and share with your specialist at your first consultation.
You may also wish to consider treatment for the non-physical effects of debilitating chronic pain, such as depression.
Talk with with your doctor today to determine if selective nerve root blocks can help assess your condition and work to provide relief. Selective nerve root blocks can assist your chronic pain specialist in determining the exact cause of your persistent pain.
If you’ve experienced back pain for longer than three months, consult your physician today and find out how this procedure can work for you and what long-term treatment can help you lead a normal life.
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