Sympathetic Nerve Pain Treatment in Cincinnati - APSI Wellness
Expert treatment for sympathetic nerve pain conditions in Cincinnati including CRPS and RSD at APSI Wellness.
Sympathetic Nerve Pain — Sympathetic nerve pain occurs when the sympathetic nervous system becomes involved in perpetuating chronic pain, causing burning pain, temperature changes, and swelling in affected limbs.
What Is Sympathetic Nerve Pain?
Sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) occurs when the sympathetic nervous system — which normally controls involuntary functions like blood flow, sweating, and heart rate — becomes pathologically involved in generating or maintaining chronic pain. This can result in severe burning pain, temperature and color changes, swelling, and hypersensitivity in the affected area.
The most well-known sympathetic pain condition is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), but sympathetic nerve involvement can occur in various pain conditions.
Symptoms
Burning, throbbing, or aching pain
Temperature changes (affected area warmer or cooler)
Skin color changes (red, blue, pale, mottled)
Swelling
Excessive or decreased sweating
Allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli like light touch)
Trophic changes (skin, nail, hair changes in the affected area)
Conditions Involving Sympathetic Pain
CRPS Types I and II
Phantom limb pain
Post-herpetic neuralgia (in some cases)
Peripheral vascular disease
Raynaud's phenomenon
Some neuropathic pain conditions
Treatment Options at APSI Wellness
Stellate ganglion blocks — for upper extremity, head, and neck sympathetic pain
Lumbar sympathetic blocks — for lower extremity sympathetic pain
Spinal cord stimulation — for chronic, refractory sympathetic pain conditions
Medical management — neuropathic pain medications
Physical therapy referral — gentle progressive mobility and desensitization
Psychotherapy — coping strategies for chronic pain
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you determine if pain is sympathetically maintained?
A diagnostic sympathetic nerve block (stellate ganglion for upper body, lumbar sympathetic for lower body) is performed. If the block provides significant pain relief while confirming sympathetic blockade, it indicates sympathetically maintained pain.
Can sympathetic pain be cured?
Early, aggressive treatment — particularly with a series of sympathetic nerve blocks — can lead to significant improvement or remission, especially in CRPS. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome.
What is the difference between a stellate ganglion block and a lumbar sympathetic block?
Both target the sympathetic nervous system but at different locations. The stellate ganglion (at the base of the neck) controls sympathetic function for the head, neck, and arm. The lumbar sympathetic chain controls sympathetic function for the leg.
How many sympathetic blocks will I need?
A series of 3-6 blocks is typical, performed 1-2 weeks apart. The cumulative effect of serial blocks often provides progressively longer-lasting relief.
APSI Wellness — Advanced Pain Solutions & Interventions
5405 DuPont Circle Suite A, Milford, OH 45150 | Phone: (513) 936-3050
https://apsiwellness.com/conditions/sympathetic-nerve-pain