If you’ve been dealing with chronic back pain or nerve-related pain, there’s a good chance that your pain doctor has talked to you about trying a nerve block. These injections can offer powerful—though often temporary—relief, allowing patients to function better, go to physical therapy, or simply get a break from constant discomfort.
But a common question we get at Arizona Pain is: “How long will this nerve block last?” And just as important: “What are my next steps when it wears off?”
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Nerve Block?
A nerve block is a procedure where medication—typically a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid—is injected near a nerve or group of nerves that are believed to be the source of your pain. The goal is to interrupt pain signals traveling to the brain, reducing or even temporarily eliminating the pain.
Nerve blocks are commonly used to treat:
- Chronic back pain
- Neck pain
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Facet joint syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Post-surgical nerve pain
How Long Does a Nerve Block Last?
The duration of pain relief depends on several factors, including the type of nerve block, the medications used, and the underlying condition being treated.
Here’s a general breakdown:
Some patients report relief for several months, while others experience short-term benefit. In general, if a nerve block provides significant temporary relief, it suggests that the targeted nerve is indeed a contributor to the pain—and opens the door to more long-lasting treatments.
What Happens If My Pain Comes Back?
This is one of the most important parts of your pain journey. Nerve blocks are often step one, not the final destination. When pain returns, that’s the time to consider next-step options that can offer more durable, longer-lasting results.
Here are some common next steps we recommend at Arizona Pain:
1. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
If a diagnostic nerve block helped for a few hours or days, RFA may be the next step. This procedure uses heat to deactivate the nerve responsible for the pain—often providing relief that lasts 6–12 months or longer.
Best for:
- Facet joint pain
- Neck and back pain
- Medial branch nerves
2. Epidural Steroid Injections
If inflammation near spinal nerves is contributing to pain (from a bulging disc or spinal stenosis, for example), an epidural can calm the area and provide pain relief that lasts weeks to months.
Best for:
- Herniated discs
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
3. Minimally Invasive Procedures
If nerve blocks and conservative care fail, minimally invasive procedures like MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) or Intracept (BVN ablation) can address deeper structural or nerve-based causes of back pain with minimal downtime and lasting results.
4. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), DRG Therapy or Peripheral Nerve Stimulation or (PNS)
For complex cases—such as CRPS or chronic neuropathic pain—we may recommend neuromodulation, where small devices are implanted to block pain signals directly at the spinal cord or dorsal root ganglion level. These are usually reserved for cases where other therapies haven’t worked but have shown life-changing results for the right patients.
How Do I Know What to Do Next?
At Arizona Pain, we take a personalized approach to every patient’s journey. A successful nerve block is often a diagnostic clue, pointing us to the nerve or area responsible for your pain. From there, we can build a treatment plan tailored to your goals, lifestyle, and condition severity.
If your nerve block worked—even for a short time—that’s a sign you’re on the right path. Let’s not stop there. Let’s talk about what comes next and how we can provide you with long-term relief.
Key Takeaways
- Nerve blocks offer temporary pain relief, ranging from a few hours to several months.
- A positive response to a nerve block suggests that further treatments—like RFA, injections, or neuromodulation—could be effective.
- Arizona Pain offers advanced, minimally invasive treatments for chronic back pain, nerve pain, and spinal conditions, tailored to each patient.
If you’re in Arizona, living with back pain that keeps coming back, and wondering what to do next after a nerve block, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation with our team to explore the next step toward real, lasting relief.
📍 Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Sun City, Surprise, Anthem and surrounding Arizona communities.