Blocks of the sympathetic nervous system are used to identify and treat painful conditions that have a component of “sympathetically mediated” pain. By injecting a local anesthetic into or around the sympathetic nerves, located along the spine, the transmission of pain signals are interrupted. This can provide relief for a variety of conditions, including chronic pain in the back, neck, arms or legs, complex regional pain syndrome, and other conditions related to the sympathetic nervous system. There are different types of sympathetic blocks, including stellate ganglion blocks, lumbar sympathetic blocks, and superior hypogastric plexus blocks. The specific type of block used depends on the location of the affected nerves and the condition being treated.