Chronic abdominal pain can be life-altering. Whether caused by cancer, pancreatitis, or other gastrointestinal conditions, persistent pain affects sleep, appetite, mobility, and emotional well-being.
While opioids may help manage pain, their side effects can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. And, in some cases, they can cause severe constipation and other gastrointestinal issues that simply introduce a different type of pain.
At Pain Care, our multidisciplinary team is committed to safe, effective, and targeted pain management solutions. One such option is the celiac plexus block. This minimally invasive procedure is designed to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.
This approach offers meaningful relief for many individuals while reducing or even eliminating the need for opioid medications.
The celiac plexus, sometimes referred to as the “solar plexus,” is a network of nerves located in the upper abdomen, near the aorta and behind the stomach. It plays a central role in transmitting pain signals from abdominal organs, including the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, stomach, and portions of the intestines.
When inflammation, tumors, or other disease processes irritate these organs, pain signals travel through the celiac plexus to the brain. By targeting this nerve bundle directly, physicians disrupt those signals at their source.
A celiac plexus block is a specialized injection that delivers medication around the celiac plexus nerves. The injection typically contains a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid or neurolytic agent. The goal is to temporarily or permanently reduce pain transmission.
There are two primary types of procedures:
This type uses a local anesthetic to determine whether the celiac plexus is the main source of pain.
This type uses a substance that intentionally damages the nerves for longer-lasting relief, often in cancer-related pain.
The procedure is usually performed under imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (X-ray) or ultrasound, to ensure precise placement.
Celiac plexus blocks are most commonly recommended for patients experiencing severe upper abdominal pain, particularly from:
Patients who do not achieve adequate relief from medication, or who experience unwanted side effects from opioids, may be strong candidates. For individuals undergoing cancer treatment, this procedure can significantly improve comfort and quality of life.
We typically perform the procedure in an outpatient setting. Patients lie on their stomach or side while your provider uses imaging guidance to insert thin needles into the upper abdomen or back.
After confirming proper placement, medication is injected around the nerve bundle. The procedure typically takes less than an hour. Patients are monitored afterward and usually return home the same day.
Temporary soreness at the injection site is common. Some patients experience a brief drop in blood pressure or mild diarrhea due to nerve-mediated effects on abdominal organs. These effects are typically short-lived.
One of the most significant advantages of this treatment is opioid reduction. By addressing pain at its origin, many patients can decrease or discontinue narcotic medications.
Additional benefits include:
Pain relief duration varies. Diagnostic blocks may last hours to days, while neurolytic blocks can provide relief for months.
For patients struggling with severe abdominal pain from pancreatic disease or other conditions, a celiac plexus block can offer meaningful relief and renewed independence.
Schedule an evaluation at Pain Care today for comprehensive pain management that focuses on your specific needs.
