Nerve Block
Calming a specific pain pathway - and often proving, at the same time, exactly where the pain comes from
A nerve block is a targeted injection that delivers medication precisely around a nerve or a pain pathway. It has two purposes, and both matter.
The first is relief - quieting a nerve that keeps firing pain signals. The second is diagnostic: if blocking a specific nerve switches the pain off, we have just learned something imaging alone often cannot tell us - where the pain truly originates.
At Team Clinic 360° in Herzliya, nerve blocks are performed by a specialist in anesthesiology and pain medicine, under ultrasound guidance for accuracy and safety.
What is a nerve block?
Every pain signal travels along a nerve. A nerve block interrupts that transmission by placing a small amount of medication - typically a local anesthetic, sometimes with an anti-inflammatory agent - directly around the involved nerve.
Depending on the goal, a block can be:
- Diagnostic - a short-acting block that answers the question "is this nerve the source of the pain?"
- Therapeutic - aimed at breaking a pain cycle and reducing nerve irritation, sometimes with lasting effect beyond the medication itself
- Part of a broader plan - creating a window of relief that allows physical therapy and rehabilitation to finally progress
When is a nerve block considered?
- Radiating nerve pain in an arm or leg
- Chronic neck or back pain with a suspected nerve component
- Occipital and certain other headache syndromes
- Nerve entrapments - when pain persists despite conservative care
- Post-surgical or post-injury nerve pain
- Complex cases where the pain source is unclear and a diagnostic block can settle the question
Not every pain is nerve pain, and not every nerve pain needs a block. The decision follows a clinical evaluation - and often a diagnostic ultrasound - by the pain physician.
Why ultrasound guidance matters
Nerves are small, mobile, and surrounded by structures you do not want to touch. Performing a block "by feel" means guessing.
Under ultrasound, the physician sees the nerve, the needle and the spread of the medication in real time. That translates into three things patients actually feel: greater accuracy, fewer attempts, and a safer procedure.
This is the standard we work by for every injection at the clinic - see our page on ultrasound-guided injections.
What happens at the appointment?
- Review of your story, imaging and previous treatments
- A focused physical and ultrasound examination
- A clear explanation: which nerve we suspect, what the block can tell us, and what it can realistically achieve
- The procedure itself - usually minutes long, with local anesthesia of the skin
- A short observation period, then home the same day
- Follow-up: tracking how much relief you had and for how long - information that guides the next step
Most patients describe the procedure as far easier than they expected. You can usually return to normal light activity the same day.
Is it safe? What about side effects?
In experienced hands and under ultrasound guidance, nerve blocks are considered low-risk procedures. Temporary numbness or weakness in the territory of the blocked nerve is expected and passes as the anesthetic wears off. Local soreness for a day or two is common. Serious complications are rare, and we go over everything relevant to your specific block before you decide.
The bigger picture
A nerve block is rarely the whole answer. Its greatest value comes when it is embedded in a plan: confirming the diagnosis, lowering pain enough to restore movement and sleep, and opening the door for rehabilitation to do its work.
At Team Clinic 360°, the procedure is performed by Dr. Lior Shem Tov, specialist in anesthesiology and pain medicine, with Dr. Natalie Siegel coordinating the overall plan.
Find out if a nerve block is the right step
If you have radiating pain, suspected nerve pain, or a pain source that no one has clearly identified - a consultation can determine whether a nerve block should be part of your plan.
To schedule an evaluation for a nerve block - contact us by phone or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Does a nerve block hurt?
The skin is numbed first, and under ultrasound guidance the needle goes exactly where it needs to go - usually in a single pass. Most patients report brief pressure rather than significant pain.
How long does the relief last?
It varies with the type of block and the underlying problem - from hours (in a purely diagnostic block) to weeks or months in therapeutic blocks. Even short-lived relief carries valuable diagnostic information.
Is a nerve block the same as an epidural?
An epidural is one specific kind of injection near the spinal nerves. "Nerve block" is a broader family that includes many peripheral nerves throughout the body. The right choice depends on where your pain originates.
What if the block does not help?
That is also an answer. If blocking a nerve does not change the pain, that nerve is probably not the source - and we redirect the work-up instead of repeating treatments that will not work.
Can I drive home afterwards?
It depends on the block. If temporary weakness or numbness in a limb is expected, we will ask you to arrange a ride. This is discussed with you before the procedure.
How many blocks will I need?
There is no fixed series. Some patients need one, some benefit from a small number spaced over time, and some move on to a different treatment based on what the first block taught us.
Medical sources for further reading
The information on this page is intended as general background and does not replace personal medical advice.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not replace a personal medical diagnosis, consultation or treatment. Any treatment is tailored only after a medical evaluation, at the physician's discretion.