Nerve Block Injections in Dallas–Fort Worth
Targeted, image-guided nerve blocks that quiet pain at its source — and show us exactly where your pain is coming from. Performed by double board-certified interventional pain physicians.
Located in Lewisville inside Medical City of Lewisville Hospital, serving patients across Dallas–Fort Worth. Most nerve blocks take less than 30 minutes.
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What Is a Nerve Block?
A nerve block is a precise injection of local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, placed next to the specific nerve or group of nerves that is carrying pain signals. Using live X-ray (fluoroscopy) or ultrasound guidance, your physician positions a thin needle within millimeters of the target, so the medication goes exactly where it is needed and nowhere else.
Nerve blocks do two jobs. As a treatment, they calm irritated nerves and reduce inflammation, often providing weeks to months of relief that lets you sleep, move and get through physical therapy again. As a diagnostic test, they answer a question imaging alone often cannot: is this nerve actually the source of my pain? If a block temporarily switches your pain off, we have found the pain generator — and that opens the door to longer-lasting options such as radiofrequency ablation.
Types of Nerve Blocks We Perform
Advanced Pain Institute of Texas performs a broad range of blocks. The right one depends on where your pain lives and what is causing it:
- Medial branch blocks — target the small nerves that carry pain from the facet joints of the spine. Used for arthritic neck and low back pain, and as the test that comes before spinal radiofrequency ablation. Learn more.
- Selective nerve root blocks — bathe a single irritated spinal nerve root, commonly for sciatica or arm pain from a herniated disc. Learn more.
- Genicular nerve blocks — numb the nerves that carry pain from the knee joint, a strong option for knee osteoarthritis or ongoing pain after knee replacement. Learn more.
- Occipital nerve blocks — for occipital neuralgia and headaches that start at the base of the skull. Learn more.
- Stellate ganglion and lumbar sympathetic blocks — target the sympathetic nervous system for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and certain nerve and circulation-related pain in the arms or legs. Learn more.
- Intercostal, ilioinguinal and TAP blocks — for rib and chest wall pain, shingles-related pain, and groin or abdominal wall pain after hernia repair or surgery.
- Celiac plexus, superior hypogastric and ganglion impar blocks — for chronic abdominal, pelvic and tailbone pain, including cancer-related pain.
- Trigeminal and sphenopalatine ganglion blocks — for facial pain and certain severe headache conditions.
- Continuous catheter nerve blocks — extended relief delivered over several days for select cases.
Why a Nerve Block Instead of More Medication?
Pills affect your whole body; a nerve block treats one spot. For many patients that means meaningful relief with far less medication — and no opioids. Because blocks are diagnostic as well as therapeutic, they also keep your care focused: rather than guessing, your physician uses the response to a block to decide what comes next, whether that is physical therapy, a longer-lasting procedure, or reassurance that surgery is not needed.
How Long Does a Nerve Block Last?
It varies by block and by person. The anesthetic wears off within hours; when a steroid is included, relief commonly builds over several days and can last weeks to months. Diagnostic blocks are judged by how much your pain improves in the first few hours, which is why we ask you to track your pain afterward. When relief is excellent but temporary, that response tells us you are likely a good candidate for a longer-lasting treatment such as radiofrequency ablation or nerve stimulation.
Related Treatments & Conditions
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may benefit from a nerve block if:
- Your pain has lasted more than a few weeks despite rest, medication or physical therapy
- Your pain follows a nerve pattern — shooting down a leg or arm, wrapping around the ribs, or starting at the base of the skull
- You have arthritic neck, back or knee pain and want to avoid or delay surgery
- You have CRPS, post-surgical nerve pain, or pain after a hernia repair
- You want to reduce your reliance on pain medication
Blocks may not be appropriate if you have an active infection, uncontrolled bleeding problems, or are pregnant. If you take blood thinners, we will coordinate with your prescribing doctor before the procedure.
What to Expect on Procedure Day
- Before: You will check in at our Lewisville office. Most blocks require little preparation; we will tell you in advance if you should arrange a driver.
- During: The skin is numbed, and your physician guides a thin needle to the target using live imaging. Most blocks take 10 to 30 minutes.
- After: You will rest briefly while we check your response, then go home the same day. Many patients return to normal activities the next day.
- Side effects: Temporary soreness at the injection site is the most common. Serious complications are uncommon when blocks are performed under image guidance by experienced physicians.
Meet Our Pain Management Specialists
Dr. John Broadnax
Double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management. Former “Chicago’s Top Docs” nominee. Board of Directors, Illinois Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Now proudly serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community.
Dr. Eric Anderson
Double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management with over two decades of experience. Dr. Anderson’s mission: world-class pain care in an encouraging, educational environment where patients feel empowered to take control of their health.
Our care team also includes Riley Bingham, PA-C (UT Southwestern trained) and Megan Bridges, NP — ensuring comprehensive, attentive care at every visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nerve Block Injections
Most patients describe a brief pinch and pressure. The skin is numbed first, and the needle is guided with live imaging so it is placed precisely. Light sedation is available for some procedures if you are anxious.
The local anesthetic works within minutes, so you will often notice relief before you leave. If a steroid was included, additional relief can build over three to seven days. We will ask you to rate your pain afterward, because that response guides your next step.
It depends on the type of block and whether it contains a steroid. Diagnostic blocks are usually done once or twice. Therapeutic blocks with steroid are spaced out and limited per year to protect your overall health. Your physician will build a plan specific to you.
Most nerve blocks are covered by Medicare and the major commercial plans we accept, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, when medically necessary. Some plans require prior authorization, which our team handles. Call (972) 866-4246 or submit a benefit verification request to confirm your coverage.
Many patients self-refer. Some insurance plans, particularly HMOs, require a referral from your primary care physician. Our team will check your plan’s requirements before your first visit — just call (972) 866-4246.
Our office is inside Medical City of Lewisville Hospital at 500 W Main St, Suite 230. It is about 25–30 minutes from downtown Dallas via I-35E North and roughly 40–50 minutes from Fort Worth via SH 114 and I-35E. Free on-site parking is available.
Serving Patients Across Dallas–Fort Worth
Patients travel to our Lewisville office from across North Texas for nerve blocks — many from cities where finding an interventional pain specialist with same-week availability is hard.
Advanced Pain Institute of Texas is located at 500 West Main St, Suite 230, Lewisville, TX 75057, inside Medical City of Lewisville Hospital, with free on-site parking.
| From | Approx. drive | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 25–30 min | I-35E North |
| Carrollton | 15–20 min | I-35E North |
| Flower Mound | 10–15 min | FM 1171 East (becomes Main St) |
| Denton | 20–25 min | I-35E South |
| Frisco | 25–30 min | SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway) West to I-35E South |
| Plano | 30–35 min | SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway) West to I-35E South |
| Southlake | 25–30 min | SH 114 East to I-35E North |
| Keller | 25–30 min | SH 114 East to I-35E North |
Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Contact Us
Phone: (972) 866-4246
Fax: (972) 866-4249
Email: contact@apitexas.com
Request an Appointment
Ready to take the first step toward lasting pain relief? Fill out the form below or call us directly at (972) 866-4246. Our team will contact you within one business day to schedule your consultation.