Sympathetic Mediated Pain

Sympathetic nerve pain is now commonly known as complex regional pain syndrome or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. This is an uncommon, chronic condition that usually affects your arm or leg. Complex regional pain syndrome is marked by intense burning or aching pain. You may also experience swelling, skin discoloration, altered temperature, abnormal sweating and hypersensitivity in the affected area. The cause of complex regional pain syndrome isn’t clearly understood, though it often follows an illness or injury.

Treatment options include medications, physical therapy, sympathetic nerve blocks or spinal cord stimulation.

The specific sympathetic nerve block that can help is determined on the location of the symptoms. The following sympathetic blocks can be used: stellate ganglion block (for arm pain), celiac plexus block (for abdominal pain), lumbar sympathetic block (for leg pain), superior hypogastric block (for pelvic pain), and ganglion impars block (for coccyx or perineal pain).

Stellate Ganglion Block
Celiac Plexus Block
Lumbar Sympathetic Block

If a specific sympathetic block does not help then spinal cord stimulation may be considered. Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure where electrodes are placed through an epidural needle into the epidural space over the spinal cord. The electrodes are then used to transmit a signal to the spinal cord that blocks pain and replaces the pain with a more pleasant feeling. Click on this link for more information about spinal cord stimulation, Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant.

Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists is recognized as an industry leader in pain management. We have a state-of-the-art facility in Reno, Nevada, that allows for us to offer the highest possible level of quality care of our patients.

We are committed to providing a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach for each individual’s pain complaints to provide the most appropriate care. Our approach includes analysis of biomechanics, joint motion, as well as skeletal, nerve and muscle tissues. Every individual is evaluated for the root cause of their pain – not just a “quick fix” approach to only provide symptomatic relief.

Your pain will be evaluated with latest diagnostic tools and technologies used by the professionals at Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists to make accurate assessments including: EMG/Nerve testing, MRIs, x-rays, bone scans, and diagnostic pain injections.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY PATIENTS' PRAISE

Over 90% of our facet joint injection patients report improvement in their condition. Over 75% said their condition improved by more than 50%

Over 83% of our epidural patients report improvement in their condition. Over 75% said their condition improved by more than 50%

Overall, 83% of our patients report a better quality of life, 60% report less pain, and 62% report improvement in their function

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