Types of Nerve Blocks for Low Back Pain

Nerve blocks are commonly used to reduce low back pain, but they do not address the underlying issue causing the pain. They function by interrupting the pathway of pain signals, targeting the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) near the spine. The three main types of nerve blocks discussed in the podcast were radio frequency nerve blocks, lidocaine nerve blocks, and laser nerve blocks. While all three can provide temporary pain relief, the pilot study mentioned in the podcast revealed that laser therapy on the DRG showed the greatest and longest-lasting efficacy, with 70% of patients reporting a 50% reduction in pain lasting one month.