A superior laryngeal nerve block is a quick, in-office procedure for treating chronic throat pain, laryngeal hypersensitivity, chronic cough, and vocal fold spasms. This nerve can become irritated or inflamed due to reflux, viral illness, or nerve trauma, leading to symptoms like throat tightness, sharp pain with speaking, or uncontrollable coughing. A nerve block interrupts this overactive signal pathway, offering both relief and diagnostic information.

The procedure takes about 10 minutes and is done while you're seated in the exam chair. After numbing the skin, a small injection of local anesthetic (sometimes combined with steroid) is placed near the nerve through the front of the neck. Most patients report only mild discomfort — like a pinch or pressure — and relief can be almost immediate or occur over several days. You may feel a temporary numb sensation in the throat or voice weakness for a few hours. Results may last days to weeks; for some, one block is enough, while others may need a series of injections spaced apart. Risks are very low and include brief voice changes or mild swelling at the injection site. The benefit is often dramatic, especially for cough and throat pain that hasn't responded to other treatments.