Nerve Blocks in Palliative Care

A nerve block is the injection of either a local anaesthetic or a drug that inactivates nerves to control otherwise uncontrollable pain. Nerve blocks can be used to determine the source of pain. This book offers information on the nerve blocking techniques that are available in practice.

In most patients, pain medication, along with physical therapy and supportive counselling, adequately controls the pain of terminal disease, but in some cases pain medication fails or produces unacceptable side effects, and other more invasive interventions may be used. This practical book provides comprehensive and easy-to-follow guidelines on nerve blocking and neuromodulation techniques to help patients and professionals make choices in pain management. Patients selection and appropriate referral are discussed as well as ethical issues and consent.This book will be an invaluable source of information for a variety of professionals working with patients with advanced disease, including palliative care doctors and specialist nurses, as there is a scarcity of consultants in pain management in the field of palliative care. Some healthcare professionals may not have experience of the full range of techniques that may benefit their patients, therefore limiting the choices available to patients with uncontrolled pain in the context of palliative care. This book will ensure that the full range of techniques are considered to provide excellent care for patients with pain that is difficult to manage.