Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Celiac Plexus Block?
A pain medicine doctor does a celiac plexus block. It may be an anesthesiologist (a doctor who gives anesthesia) or an interventional radiologist (a doctor who uses imaging to guide treatment). A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
The celiac plexus is a network of nerves deep in the belly. It sits at the root of a large blood vessel called the celiac trunk. Pain from organs in the upper belly travels through this network. A celiac plexus block uses a numbing medicine, called a local anesthetic, to block the nerves for a short time. Neurolysis uses alcohol or phenol, a chemical, to block the nerves for much longer. It is often given with a local anesthetic. The research cited here is mostly about pain from pancreatic cancer. It is also used for chronic pancreatitis, which is long-term swelling of the pancreas.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Doctors use the block for upper belly pain that lasts a long time.
Pain medicines are the first step. Other options are considered if the medicines fail or cause side effects.
The block has been shown to lower pain, help people function, and reduce the need for opioids, which are strong pain medicines. A review of trials in pancreatic cancer pain found little proof that the block eases pain better than pain medicine. The review also noted that the block causes fewer side effects than opioids. Another review said most current data supports the block as an added tool for selected patients, not as a replacement for pain medicine.
How to prepare
Careful planning before the procedure is part of keeping complications low. The cited medical sources do not list steps such as fasting or medicine changes.
What happens during it
Several methods have been reported.
- Doctors place a needle through the skin to reach the area near the nerves.
- Doctors use imaging to guide the needle. This is most often a CT scan, a detailed X-ray scan.
- Fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or endoscopic ultrasound (ultrasound from inside the body) can also guide the needle.
Recovery
The cited sources do not give a recovery schedule or activity limits. They do say that care after the procedure is part of keeping complications low. The pain relief from a block is often temporary. In studies, the effect lasted one to two months. A block did not always end the need for pain medicine, but it lowered the need for opioids.
Risks and side effects
The procedure has been shown to be relatively safe. The most common side effects reported are pain at the spot, low blood pressure, and diarrhea.
In one large review, serious problems were reported in about 2 percent of people. These included weakness or tingling in the legs, a collapsed lung, and blood in the urine. Rare problems include bleeding deep in the belly, trouble emptying the bladder, and a hole in the bowel.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, severe belly pain, or bleeding that will not stop.
Who performs it
A pain medicine doctor performs the procedure. Pancreatic cancer pain care ideally involves pain and palliative medicine specialists, surgeons, and cancer doctors (oncologists).
Common questions
How long does pain relief from a celiac plexus block last?
In studies, the pain relief from the neurolytic block lasted one to two months. The effect is often temporary.
Is a celiac plexus block the same as neurolysis?
No, they are not the same, though people often use the words as if they were. A block interrupts the nerves for a short time with a local anesthetic. Neurolysis interrupts them for longer with alcohol or phenol.
Does a celiac plexus block replace pain medicine?
No, a celiac plexus block is not meant to replace pain medicine. It is an added tool for selected patients, and a block did not always end the use of pain medicine. It did lower the need for opioids, and it also lowered constipation.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- PubMed Central - Celiac Plexus Block and Neurolysis in the Management of Chronic Upper Abdominal Pain
- PubMed Central - Celiac plexus block for pancreatic cancer pain in adults
- PubMed Central - Pain Management in Pancreatic Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
