Quick answer: A diagnostic nerve block is a precise, minimally invasive injection of anesthetic near a specific nerve. If numbing that nerve relieves your pain, it confirms the nerve is the source, which guides the next, longer-lasting treatment. Many blocks relieve pain at the same time.
Diagnosis and relief in one step
When imaging alone can’t say exactly which structure is driving your pain, a nerve block answers the question directly. If the targeted nerve is numbed and your pain drops, your specialist has confirmed where to focus, often the same day you feel relief.
Common types
- Medial branch blocks to test facet-joint pain in the spine
- Epidural and selective nerve-root blocks for radiating back and leg pain
- Sympathetic blocks for conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Peripheral nerve blocks for targeted pain in the arms or legs
What to expect
The injection is guided by live fluoroscopy or ultrasound for accuracy and safety, takes only a few minutes, and is done in-office. Relief can be immediate, and what your physician learns shapes the treatment that follows, such as radiofrequency ablation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a nerve block a test or a treatment?
Both, it pinpoints the source of pain and often relieves it at the same time.
How long does the relief last?
From hours to months depending on the block and your condition; a diagnostic result guides longer-term care.
Is the procedure safe?
Yes, it’s minimally invasive and performed under real-time image guidance.
If the source of your pain is still a question mark, a diagnostic nerve block can give you a clear answer. Schedule a consultation with Colorado Pain Care: call (303) 468-7246 or Book Online Here.
Colorado Pain Care treats each patient with the same care we would want for our own family. Founded on the promise of H.O.P.E., we provide honest, objective, personalized, and empathetic care from the area’s top physicians and providers.
