What is a nerve block, and what does it feel like?

AffordaHealth Pain Relief & Wellness, Davie and Boynton Beach. General information only; it does not replace a consultation with a physician. Published September 14, 2026, updated September 17, 2026.

A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic placed next to a specific nerve so that it stops carrying pain signals. It is done in the exam room, using anatomical landmarks or ultrasound guidance, with no sedation and no hospital visit. Most patients feel a brief sting and pressure, then numbness in the area the nerve supplies. If the pain drops sharply while the block is working, that confirms the nerve is the source, and repeated blocks can give relief that lasts weeks or months.

Which blocks we do

The blocks performed at AffordaHealth are peripheral blocks, meaning they target nerves outside the spine:

• Occipital nerve block, for headaches that start at the back of the head and travel forward, and for occipital neuralgia. Dr. Scheim uses these alongside headache treatment and Botox for chronic migraine.
• Genicular nerve block, for knee pain from osteoarthritis in patients who are not ready for surgery or want to avoid it.
• Suprascapular nerve block, for shoulder pain from arthritis, a rotator cuff problem or a frozen shoulder.
• Other peripheral blocks around the hip, elbow or ankle when the examination points to a single nerve.

Spinal procedures such as epidural steroid injections are not done in our offices. When one is needed we coordinate a referral and keep managing your care.

The first block is a test

You rate your pain before the injection and again right after it, while the anesthetic is working, and the doctor documents the change. A clear drop confirms the target. If the pain does not change, the nerve is not the source and the doctor looks elsewhere, which is useful information in itself. This is why a nerve block often comes early in a work-up rather than at the end.

What the injection feels like

The skin is cleaned and, for some blocks, numbed first. The doctor locates the nerve by landmarks or with ultrasound, then places a fine needle beside it and injects the anesthetic. Most patients describe a sting and a feeling of pressure for a few seconds. The area goes numb within minutes and may feel heavy or odd for a few hours. The whole visit is usually short, and you can go home afterward. Bring someone to drive if the block is in a leg.

Afterward

Soreness at the injection site for a day or two is common. The anesthetic wears off within hours; if a steroid was included, its effect builds over several days. Keep a simple note of your pain each day for the week after the block, because the pattern of relief tells the doctor what to do next.

Therapeutic blocks

If the diagnostic block helped, the doctor may repeat it. When a nerve that has been firing constantly gets the chance to settle, the relief often outlasts the anesthetic by weeks or months. Blocks are one part of a plan that usually includes medication management, exercise or physical therapy, and, for knee and shoulder pain, joint injections where appropriate.

Does insurance cover it?

Nerve blocks are covered by Medicare and in-network plans when medically necessary. Medicare's rules for chronic pain blocks are under review, so prior authorization is common, and our office requests it before your appointment. The nerve blocks page has more detail, and you can book an appointment online to have your coverage checked.

Questions patients ask