Nerve blocks are a versatile and effective group of treatments used to diagnose and manage pain caused by irritated or inflamed nerves. These procedures involve injecting local anaesthetic, with or without corticosteroid, near a specific nerve or nerve group to numb pain and reduce inflammation.
At PainMed, nerve blocks are used both diagnostically — to identify the exact source of pain — and therapeutically, to provide meaningful symptom relief as part of a broader pain management strategy.
The nervous system plays a key role in most chronic pain conditions. When a nerve is inflamed, compressed or sensitised, it can send continuous pain signals to the brain — even after the initial injury has healed.
A nerve block works by temporarily disrupting this signal. If the block relieves your pain, this confirms that the targeted nerve is likely responsible — and also opens the door to longer-lasting treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation or neuromodulation.
Depending on the system:
You’ll have control of your own stimulation settings via a handheld controller.
Nerve blocks can help manage a variety of conditions, including:
01
Chronic neck or lower back pain
02
Sciatica or nerve root pain
03
Headache and facial pain (e.g. occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia)
04
Post-surgical nerve pain
05
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
06
Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes
07
Myofascial or regional pain syndromes
At PainMed, we perform a range of image-guided nerve block procedures, including:
Each block is tailored to your condition, using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for accuracy and safety.
Nerve blocks play a valuable role in both diagnostic clarification and therapeutic intervention. They are ideal for:
We offer timely consultation, dual block protocols when indicated, and detailed procedural reporting for shared decision-making.
Next Steps
If you’re dealing with persistent or unexplained pain, a nerve block may offer both clarity and relief. Our team will guide you through every stage — from diagnosis to long-term care.
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Originally from England, Sally graduated from St George’s Hospital, University of London in 2004 with a BSc (First Class Hons) in Physiotherapy. Since settling in Australia, Sally has worked in private practice and in the public hospital setting across Sydney.
Sally gained a Masters in Medicine Pain Management from the University of Sydney in 2019 and is a Titled Pain Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian Physiotherapy Association).
In addition to private practice, Sally currently works as a Senior Physiotherapist at Westmead Hospital Pain Management Service.
Sally is highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing and treating people who experience chronic pain. She enjoys working with injured workers and CTP claimants. She has a deep understanding of the impact of pain on the whole person and on their functioning in daily life. In partnership with her colleagues, Sally enjoys applying her knowledge and clinical skills to provide a safe space for exploration of the physical and emotional meaning of pain and for recovery of function.
Qualifications and Experience
