• 29 Oct, 2026
• UnityPain
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Celiac Plexus Block for Abdominal Pain | Unity Pain

When Abdominal Pain Takes Over Your Life

Living with chronic abdominal pain is exhausting. It can make it hard to eat, sleep, work, or enjoy time with the people you love. If you have been dealing with deep, relentless belly pain — especially pain linked to conditions like pancreatitis or abdominal cancer — you know how much it can steal from your daily life. You may have tried many treatments without getting enough relief. That is a hard road, and your struggle is real.

One option that a pain specialist may discuss with you is called a celiac plexus block. This procedure targets a specific group of nerves in the abdomen that carry pain signals. For some people, it can offer meaningful relief when other treatments have not been enough. This article will explain what the celiac plexus is, how the block works, who may benefit, and what to expect.

What Is the Celiac Plexus?

The celiac plexus is a network of nerves located in the upper abdomen, near the aorta and the celiac artery. These nerves act like a relay station. They carry pain signals from organs in your abdomen — including the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, stomach, and parts of the intestines — up to your brain. When these organs are diseased or damaged, these nerves can send constant, overwhelming pain signals.

Because the celiac plexus connects to so many abdominal organs, it plays a large role in how upper abdominal pain is felt. Disrupting or calming those nerve signals can help reduce pain at its source, rather than just covering it up with medication alone. This is the basic idea behind a celiac plexus block.

What Is a Celiac Plexus Block?

A celiac plexus block is an injection procedure performed by a trained pain specialist. The doctor injects medication — usually a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid or a neurolytic agent — near the celiac plexus nerves. The goal is to interrupt or reduce the pain signals traveling through those nerves.

There are two main types of this procedure. A celiac plexus block uses anesthetic medication to temporarily reduce nerve activity and is often used for conditions like chronic pancreatitis. A celiac plexus neurolysis uses alcohol or phenol to more permanently damage the nerve network and is more commonly used for pain related to abdominal cancers, such as pancreatic cancer. Your doctor will help decide which type is right for your situation.

The procedure is typically done using imaging guidance — such as fluoroscopy (a type of live X-ray) or CT scan — to help the doctor place the needle safely and accurately. It is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day.

Who Might Benefit From This Procedure?

A celiac plexus block is not right for everyone. It is most often considered for people who have chronic upper abdominal pain that has not responded well to other treatments. Common conditions where this procedure may be discussed include:

• Chronic pancreatitis — long-term inflammation of the pancreas
• Pancreatic cancer — where pain management is a major part of care
• Other abdominal cancers causing significant visceral pain
• Abdominal pain from other upper abdominal organ conditions, in selected cases

It is important to have a thorough evaluation before considering this procedure. A pain specialist will review your medical history, imaging, and past treatments. Not everyone is a good candidate, and factors like blood thinners, infection, or certain anatomical issues may make the procedure unsafe for some people. Always talk openly with your doctor about your full health picture.

What Does the Research Say?

Research has studied celiac plexus block and neurolysis, particularly for pancreatic cancer pain and chronic pancreatitis. Studies have shown that celiac plexus neurolysis can help reduce pain and lower the need for opioid medications in people with pancreatic cancer, at least for a period of time. Results can vary from person to person, and the relief may not be permanent.

For chronic pancreatitis, the evidence shows that celiac plexus block may provide short-term pain relief for some patients, though repeat injections are sometimes needed. Pain specialists use this evidence to help guide decisions, always weighing the potential benefits against the risks of any procedure. No procedure can guarantee pain relief, and outcomes depend on many individual factors.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Like any medical procedure, a celiac plexus block carries some risks. Most side effects are mild and temporary. Common ones include:

• Soreness or bruising at the injection site
• Temporary drop in blood pressure, which can cause dizziness
• Diarrhea or an upset stomach for a short time after the procedure

Serious complications are uncommon but possible. These can include infection, bleeding, or — rarely — injury to nearby structures such as blood vessels or nerves. Paralysis is a very rare but serious risk that has been reported. This is why the procedure must be done by an experienced, trained specialist using imaging guidance. Your doctor will discuss all risks with you before you agree to move forward.

Finding the Right Care Team

If you are dealing with chronic abdominal pain and wondering whether a celiac plexus block could be part of your treatment plan, the most important first step is talking to a qualified pain management specialist. A good provider will take time to understand your history, explain your options clearly, and work with you to build a plan that fits your needs and goals.

At Unity Pain Management in Modesto, CA, our team understands how much chronic pain affects every part of your life. We offer a range of pain management services and work with most insurance plans to help make care more accessible. If you have questions about procedures like celiac plexus blocks or other approaches to managing abdominal pain, we welcome you to reach out and start the conversation.

A Hopeful Path Forward

Chronic abdominal pain can feel isolating and discouraging. But there are options beyond simply enduring it. Advances in interventional pain management have given specialists more tools than ever to help patients find meaningful relief and improve their quality of life. A celiac plexus block is one of those tools — not right for everyone, but genuinely helpful for some.

You deserve to feel heard, treated with care, and given real information about your choices. Whatever your next step looks like, know that help is available. Reach out to a pain specialist you trust, ask questions, and keep advocating for yourself. Relief may be closer than you think.

References

• Eisenberg, E., et al. “Neurolytic Celiac Plexus Block for Treatment of Cancer Pain: A Meta-Analysis.” Anesthesia & Analgesia. 1995.
• Nagels, W., et al. “Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Abdominal Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review.” Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. 2013.
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Pancreatitis.” National Institutes of Health. 2021.
• Kambadakone, A., et al. “New and Evolving Concepts in the Imaging and Interventional Management of Chronic Pancreatitis.” RadioGraphics. 2011.
• American Cancer Society. “Managing Cancer-Related Pain.” American Cancer Society. 2023.