Sympathetic Injection

A Sympathetic Injection is a nerve injection used to treat and diagnose sympathetic pain. The sympathetic nervous system is a relationship of nerves throughout the entire body originating from the spine. This collection of nerves affects many bodily functions such as blood pressure and urination. There are two main ganglions, bundles of nerves, associated with the sympathetic nervous system.

The stellate ganglion is responsible for the upper body while the sympathetic ganglion is associated with the lower body. Irritation and damage to the ganglion may result in pain such as headaches and neck pain. During the procedure, the patient is giving a local anesthetic around the area where the needle will be inserted. X-ray guidance is used to guide the needle to the ganglion where an anesthetic is injected.