Nerves get blocked to reduce or eliminate pain, either temporarily or for longer-term pain management. Nerve blocks can be useful in reducing temporary pain from an operation or long-term pain from chronic health conditions.
Nerve blocks work by injecting a local anesthetic near specific nerves. This prevents the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. The result is a numbing effect in the area served by those nerves. This can alleviate discomfort from various conditions and procedures.
Here's a breakdown of why nerve blocks are used:
- Pain Management: Nerve blocks offer a way to manage both acute and chronic pain.
- Surgical Procedures: They can reduce pain during and after surgery.
- Chronic Conditions: Nerve blocks can help manage pain from conditions like arthritis or neuropathy.
- Childbirth: As mentioned in the provided information, an epidural, a common nerve block, is frequently used to reduce pain during childbirth.
In summary, nerves are blocked to interrupt pain signals, providing relief from a variety of conditions and procedures
