Yes, a pudendal block is different from a spinal block. Pudendal nerves are peripheral nerves, which are a branch of nerves outside your spine and the spinal block is a block within your spine. The spinal blocks did not worsen my pain, but they gave me absoulutely no relief. My pudendal and obturator blocks increased my pain, ten-fold!!! Docs don't know why. The only series of blocks that helped me, but only for for 6-8 hrs, was the ilioinginal-hypogastric block. The only thing that this block told me was these are the nerves involved in my injury. No diagnostic test have been able to show anything? If you don't mind sharing- how did you injure your nerves? I have had daily chronic pain for 4 yrs & still looking for a miracle doc.

Thank you for your reply. I am really sorry to hear that your condition has lasted for four years. I had mesh inguinal hernia repair about five years ago, and came out fine, with some residual nerve tingling. After slight groin pain after exercising, I went to the urologist. The pushing on the hernia repair to check it put me in extreme pain. Misdiagnosed for months, I was sent to the wrong kind of physical therapy. The inguinal nerve block was done incorrectly--that pain did subside after a month. Etc. etc. Now I have chronic inlingual neuralgia as well as pelvic floor spasm/dysfunction of some kind, which, after recent electroacupunture, increased to a very serious state. Doctors have told me that pelvic floor problems cannot be diagnosed or treated. I've heard of the the book you mentioned, Headache in the Pelvis--I've basically read about the approach in some of the articles by those doctors in medical publications. Anyway, I wish I had a good source for you, but I think you have investigated more than I have. While I have seen over a dozen doctors and two physical therapists, I am still usure of where to turn. Do you know what kind of spinal block you had? The pain doctor has suggested a block of the ganglion impar for the pelvic floor problem. Perhaps they also use L1. I'd be glad to hear what spinal points were used in your case..

I've had a transforaminal injection, I believe L1-L2 area and I also a caudal steriod injection, Neither changed or increased my pain. I have been in pain for so long that I'm not scared to try much, except removal or denervation of my nerves.
In my opinion I would try the ganglion impar steriod inj it will be either diagnostic or a therapeutic for you and your doc. Good Luck!!
I have never saw a urologist for groin pain, mayb I should. What speciality doc are you working with most?

Thanks for sharing your experience and point of view on the nerve blocks. I'll certainly let you know about any knowledge I gain from research or experience in this area. My experience has been that urologists do not treat this issue--in fact, they overlook it. Men with this problem often go undiagnosed and finally go to surgeons. Many gynocologists, as you know, are more familiar with the condition. It sounds like you have already found help with myofascial physical therapy. I saw online that St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, specializes in pelvic nerve conditions, including pudendal neuralgia.

How are you doin?

I just wanted to say thank you for your very detailed and informative comment. I write this as I've been awakened from pelvic pain. It can be such a lonely journey at times. I am so grateful to have found this website. Thanks to all of you for being brave enough to post your personal info and I hope we all find relief soon!!!

Not sure what all your pevic pain issues are. But research pelvic neuro-muscular disorders, paying particular attention to pudendal nerves.