The body has what is called a “sympathetic nervous system.” The system controls our body’s involuntary activities and has been identified as a source of pain. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the spinal cord and is connected and sends signals to other parts of the nervous system. These nerves are found within the vertebral column, located in the mid-area of the back. With this nerve system, it is all about the speed with which electrical energy is transmitted. When it is no longer functioning correctly, the result can be chronic leg or foot pain.
Non-Invasive, Non-Surgical Treatment for Leg and Foot Pain
Dr. Nini provides a wide scope of non-surgical pain relief treatments in Los Angeles, including sympathetic nerve blocks to treat chronic leg pain. If you suffer from this condition as a result of an injury, trauma, or other body condition affecting this part of the nervous system, a sympathetic block can provide a significant degree of pain relief. The earlier you get treatment after an injury, the more likely that the sympathetic block will have a long-term, beneficial result.
A sympathetic block is an injection into or in the area of the sympathetic nerves. These nerves can carry pain signals to the back and legs. The purpose of the treatment is often to reduce leg pain associated with various health conditions, and can help by reducing pain, swelling, and other issues impacting mobility and quality of life.
How is a Sympathetic Block Performed?
The patient lies face down on the treatment table. A sympathetic nerve block is performed under the most sterile conditions, with the skin cleaned and numbed prior to the injection. A real-time visual imaging system is used by Dr. Nini to guide the location of the needle during treatment. Once the nerve to be treated is found, a tiny quantity of dye is injected to visually confirm that the medication, once injected, will spread to the appropriate zone. Then the medication is injected and the treatment is complete.
What to Expect After a Sympathetic Block
The first sensation is one of warmth spreading to the lower extremities. The pain is typically greatly reduced. You will need a ride home after the treatment and should spend the remaining hours in the day resting. You can engage in any activities that are comfortable for you. The side effects are very mild, typically just a tenderness at the injection site. If the treatment provides pain relief, subsequent treatments will be scheduled. The relief from pain typically gets longer after each treatment and varies patient to patient.
Sympathetic Block for Chronic Leg Pain
This treatment can be effective for the treatment of chronic pain. It can also be used as a diagnostic tool to identify the source of pain associated with the following conditions:
- Pain resulting from blood vessel spasms
- Regional pain syndrome
- Pain resulting from trauma or injury
Leg pain can be the result of a dysfunction in the sympathetic nerve system. These nerves send signals to the legs, affecting blood flow to the area. This treatment can be effective in reducing a range of symptoms, including a painful sensation of burning in the leg or foot.
TRIGGER NATURAL SPINE HEALING WITH SPINAL DECOMPRESSION IN LOS ANGELES
If you suffer from chronic back pain or have been injured and live with a level of discomfort that is affecting your quality of life, we urge you to seek the least invasive, most effective alternatives before choosing to undergo surgery. For some, surgery may be the only option, but regenerative medicine has made great strides in recent years.
Professional athletes seek out the most effective treatments for musculoskeletal issues – and you can have the treatments used by the top athletes in Los Angeles, here at our Los Angeles clinic.