If the process of blocking pain via this method is reasonably instantaneous, I can see a lot of benefit with surgery. Deaths from anaesthesia could become a thing of the past.
Also, the various neuropathies as well as other forms of debilitating chronic pain could be alleviated. Phantom pain from a lost limb, for instance.
As a person with Fibromyalgia, this is exciting news. I thought Lyrica was a lifesaver.