When the spinal nerve gets inflamed, it can cause pain in your neck, shoulders, and arms. To reduce the pain, doctors often suggest selective cervical nerve root block treatment. It helps to locate the spinal nerve that is inflamed and causing pain. With this treatment, the pain in your neck and shoulder will get reduced. Your doctor will only suggest this treatment when the person is not getting relief after taking rest and nonsurgical treatments.
Along with the pain, many people also feel weakness, tingling, and burning sensations on their neck and arms. These symptoms cause not only pain but also reduce motion. With the root block treatment, the inflammation gets reduced. Several conditions can inflame the spinal nerve such as cervical foraminal stenosis, cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical osteoarthritis, cervical herniated disc, etc.
What is the procedure for cervical selective nerve root block?
This procedure takes around 30 minutes and done is in several steps:
- The patient has to move to the procedure room. Your doctor will inject an anesthetic on your skin (where you are facing the pain)
- Using fluoroscopy and contrast dye, the doctor takes the needle near the nerve where you are feeling the pain. Sometimes the doctor may use ultrasound instead of fluoroscopy to visualize where to place the needle.
- After finding the correct position, the doctor injects both lidocaine and steroid around the nerve root (where you are feeling the pain).
- After the cervical nerve root block treatment, the doctor always suggests resting for a day.
Benefits of cervical nerve root blocks
- If you are getting temporary relief after a selective nerve block that means you are getting neck and shoulder pain due to problems on the nerve. This treatment is mainly used for easing the pain due to inflamed spinal nerves but is also helpful in diagnosing the pain.
- The anesthetic provides relief for a shorter time. But the steroid provides relief for a long time. After the nerve root block, the inflammation pain will get reduced. It also helps in healing the nerve.
- The efficacy of this treatment varies from person to person. Many people get good help with treatment and get relief for about three months. Whereas, some people get relief from their pain for about 6 months.
Risks and complications for selective cervical nerve root blocks treatment:
This is a low-risk treatment and only a few people face any kind of side effects and complications. After this treatment, a person may face some risks and complications such as:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Allergic reaction
- Spinal cord or nerve damage
Home remedies to ease inflamed nerve pain
Inflamed nerve pain is like a chronic illness and can cause pain for a long time. Many people go for cervical nerve root block treatment. But you can’t rely on this for a long time. Instead, you can try several home remedies.
Natural medications
Dynamic treatments like homeopathy and Ayurveda are also very effective in treating nerve pain. You can get chronic pain treatment Parsippany for your nerve pain. These natural remedies are fully secure and do not cause any harm to the body. You won’t face any harmful side effects like other treatments. Natural remedies not only work to reduce the pain but also heal the condition which is causing the pain.
Get good sleep and rest
Proper sleep is always good for healing nerves. When you sleep, your body starts repairing all the damages. When your neck or shoulder is aching, you should take proper rest. While working, don’t put pressure on the disturbed nerve. Try to provide more rest and prevent any kind of overuse. Sleep in a position that does not cause any pressure on the nerve.
Maintain the body posture
The nerve damage may be caused due to poor posture. Ask your psychotherapist about good body posture. Try to improve your posture while sitting, walking, and standing. Your improper posture can damage the spine and cause pinched nerve pain. Change the posture and help the nerve to heal.
Yoga and stretching
Yoga and stretching are very good for curing nerve pain. Start doing Yoga for about half an hour daily. Regular stretching and yoga not only reduce the pain but also heals the nerves. Yoga helps in reducing the stress on the nerve. Yoga poses also improve body posture. It helps to perform daily activities.
Ice and heat packs
Heat and ice packs can also help in reducing the pain. You can use ice and heat pack treatment alternativity to reduce inflammation. With this treatment, the blood circulation will improve on the affected area and provide relief from the pain. Use an ice pack on the affected area for about 15 minutes about three times a day. Apply the heat pads for more time like about an hour.
Acupuncture and acupressure
Many people also get relief from nerve pain with acupuncture. In this therapy, the acupuncture doctor inserts needles on the affected area to re-stimulate and regenerate nerves. However, you should only go for acupuncture when the doctor has the license for doing that. Many people try this therapy on their own that can cause more and severe damage to the nerves. Acupressure is also very helpful in reducing nerve pain. Your acupressure therapist will provide pressure on certain points around the neck and shoulder. It will help in improving the blood circulation in affected areas and reduce pain.
Cut alcohol
When you are in pain, you often start drinking. Alcohol may help to release stress and pain temporarily but can permanent damage to the body. Toxic items like alcohol can worsen nerve pain. Reduce your alcohol consumption to promote nerve healing.
Proper diet
Your diet plan can help you to reduce nerve pain. Whenever you face any pain or illness, check on your diet. Good food is necessary to provide the required strength to the body. When your nerve is in pain, you can’t put pressure on it. Any small pressure can cause more damage. With a proper diet, body strength improves and your body starts functioning well. Some good food items for nerve pain are leafy green vegetables, fruits, sweet potato, zucchini, avocado, quinoa, etc.