Does spinal cord stimulation work?

Yes, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established, effective treatment for chronic pain that's been used for over 40 years and is approved by the FDA. Moreover, spinal cord stimulation has been shown to reduce pain levels by 40-60%, improve quality of life, and reduce opioid use in many patients.

Are you put to sleep for spinal cord stimulator surgery?

Yes. Spinal Cord Stimulation requires general anesthesia, as the electrodes must be secured to the ligaments and bone of the spine.

Is a spinal cord stimulator trial painful?

As with any surgery—even a minimally invasive one—the initial recovery period following the procedure can be painful. Light activities can often be resumed after two to three weeks, but complete recovery may take up to eight weeks.

How is a spinal cord stimulator implanted?

Similar to the trial, an electrode (lead) is surgically implanted into the epidural space, while an anesthetic is used to numb the area before it’s inserted. The procedure usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes, and, in many cases, you are able to go home the same day.

Can I return to daily activities after it’s implanted?

While most physical activities are considered safe following the procedure, we will let you know when it is okay to resume everyday activities following your procedure.

Does insurance cover spinal cord stimulators?

Spinal cord stimulators have been approved under CPT code 63650, for Medicare patients, and Greater Austin Pain Center works with both Medicare and most insurance plans. Contact us for more information about whether Spinal Cord Stimulation is covered by your insurance plan.

Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks in Austin, Texas

Currently accepting new patients

Address

5920 W. William Cannon Dr. Building 6, Suite 150
Austin, TX 78749
Get Directions

Office hours

Mon: 8AM – 5PM
Tues: 8AM – 5PM
Wed: 8AM – 5PM
Thur: 8AM – 5PM
Fri: 8AM – 5PM
Weekends: Closed

Phone

Phone: (512) 298-1645

Fax: (512) 298-1795

Accepted insurance

- Aetna
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS)
- Champ VA
- Cigna
- CMS
- Connected Senior Care Alliance
- Friday
- GEHA
- Humana
- Medicare
- Multiplan
- Oscar
- Railroad Medicare
- Smarthealth
- Tricare
- Triwest
- United Healthcare
- WellMed
- Worker's Compensation
- Private Pay

What are Ganglion Blocks?

Sympathetic ganglion block injections, or “ganglion blocks” for short, are used to alleviate pain, typically in conditions where sympathetic nerves play a role in generating or maintaining it. These injections target the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling various involuntary functions in the body, such as blood flow, and perspiration, and is also involved in pain transmission. By blocking the specific ganglion responsible for your pain symptoms, pain can be relieved for both acute and chronic conditions.

At the Greater Austin Pain Center, we provide Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks to target the 3 main sympathetic ganglia, which include:

The Stellate Ganglia: The Stellate Ganglia are pairs of massed nerve fibers found near the upper cervical spine and the thoracic spine, which can be blocked to relieve symptoms associated with arm pain.
The Impar Ganglion: The Impar Ganglion is a single mass of nerve fibers found near the bottom of the sacrum (tailbone), which can be blocked to relieve pain in the pelvis or tailbone.
The Lumbar Ganglia: Finally, the Lumbar ganglia refers to the pairs of massed nerve fibers found near the lower spine, which can be blocked to relieve symptoms associated with leg pain.

By numbing these ganglia with anesthetic or corticosteroid injections, the pain signals that travel through them can be blocked, and in turn, relieve the chronic pain in these areas.

How Does It Work

Regardless of whether you’re getting a Stellate, Impar or Lumbar procedure, Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks work by using a local anesthetic to block the activity of the sympathetic nerves that are causing pain. The injection contains a combination of a local anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory medication, and is typically performed over the course of the following steps:

First, the skin over the injection area is cleaned and sterilized.
A local anesthetic is then used to numb the skin and deeper tissues near the injection area.
A needle is guided using fluoroscopy or ultrasound to reach the target sympathetic ganglia.
The anesthetic or medication is then injected around the ganglia.

The entire procedure typically takes only a few minutes, and the patient is observed briefly for any immediate reactions.

What Does It Treat?

Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks involve injecting a local anesthetic medication near the sympathetic ganglia, which are bundles of nerve cells located along the spinal cord. By blocking the transmission of pain signals through these bundles of nerves, this procedure can provide relief for a variety of conditions, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Phantom Limb Pain, persistent nerve pain from shingles, peripheral neuropathy and more.

What To Expect

During a Sympathetic Ganglion Block procedure, a local anesthetic and/or corticosteroids are injected into the sympathetic ganglia of the spine to reduce pain signals reaching the brain. Patients should expect a brief period of discomfort during the procedure, and can usually return to normal activities the same day, although individual cases may vary.

Contact our neck pain specialists today to learn more about Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks in Austin.

Woman at elevators in front of San Antonio Eye Specialists sign.

Steps in the Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks (Stellate, Impar, Lumbar) Process

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment with one of our Sympathetic Ganglion Block doctors in Austin to see if you’re a good candidate for this procedure.

Initial Evaluation

During your initial evaluation, our pain specialists will assess your pain symptoms and medical history to determine if you're a good candidate.

Treatment

If you’re a good candidate, set up a time for your procedure, during which we’ll perform the steps listed above.

Recovery

Following the procedure, we’ll take careful steps to assess your condition to ensure a success and pain-free outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the procedure take?

Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks typically only take about 10 minutes to complete.

How long does the relief last?

The effect of the block, including the duration and amount of relief may vary from person to person.

Are Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks considered safe?

Yes. These injections are safe and have a very low chance of any adverse reactions.

Are there side effects of Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks?

Side effects are rare with these injections but can include infection, bleeding, and temporary numbness of the skin around the injection site.

Are Ganglion Blocks covered by insurance?

Yes. Most insurances cover nerve blocks, including Sympathetic Ganglion Blocks, however, a prior authorization may need to be obtained in advance.

Testimonials

"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."

Genia G.

"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"

Maggie G.

"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."

Nancy M.

(512) 298-1645

Impar, Lumbar, & Stellate Ganglion Blocks in Austin, TX

Get In Touch

(512) 298-1645

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What are Ganglion Blocks?

How Does It Work

What Does It Treat?

What To Expect