Our Services

Peripheral Nerve Block

Peripheral Nerve Block

If chronic nerve pain is interfering with your daily life, a peripheral nerve block may offer the targeted relief you’ve been searching for. At Southwest Pain Management, Dr. Philip Morgan and our team of specialists use advanced nerve block techniques to help patients throughout Southern California — including Ventura, Woodland Hills, Hawthorne, and the greater Los Angeles area — find lasting relief from debilitating nerve pain.

What Is a Peripheral Nerve Block?

A peripheral nerve block is a minimally invasive injection procedure that delivers local anesthetic — and in some cases, a corticosteroid — directly to a specific nerve or group of nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals. By temporarily interrupting these signals, a peripheral nerve block can provide significant pain relief that lasts from several days to several months, depending on the type of block and the patient’s condition.

Unlike oral pain medications that affect your entire body, nerve block injections target pain at its source. This precision makes the peripheral nerve block procedure one of the most effective and well-tolerated treatments in modern pain management.

Conditions Treated with Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Our pain specialists use peripheral nerve blocks to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Peripheral neuropathy— numbness, tingling, and burning pain caused by damaged nerves
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)— a chronic condition involving intense burning pain, often in a limb
  • Post-surgical pain— persistent pain following an operation
  • Neuralgia— sharp, shooting nerve pain such as occipital neuralgia or intercostal neuralgia
  • Cancer-related pain— nerve pain associated with tumors or cancer treatment
  • Chronic headaches and migraines— when related to specific nerve pathways
  • Musculoskeletal pain— pain from injuries that involve nerve irritation

What to Expect During the Procedure

The peripheral nerve block procedure is typically performed in our office and takes approximately 15–30 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Preparation:You’ll be positioned comfortably, and the injection site will be cleaned and sterilized.
  2. Guidance:Using ultrasound or fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, your doctor precisely locates the targeted nerve.
  3. Injection:A thin needle delivers the anesthetic medication directly around the nerve. Most patients report only mild pressure or a brief pinch.
  4. Observation:You’ll be monitored for a short period to ensure the block takes effect and to watch for any rare side effects.

Most patients experience relief within minutes of the injection. The area may feel numb or tingly as the block begins working.

Benefits of Peripheral Nerve Block Injections

  • Rapid pain relief— many patients notice improvement almost immediately
  • Minimally invasive— no incisions or general anesthesia required
  • Reduced need for oral medications— especially opioids
  • Diagnostic value— helps identify the exact nerve causing your pain
  • Repeatable— blocks can be safely repeated if pain returns
  • Improved function— reduced pain allows better participation in physical therapy and daily activities

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from a nerve block injection is straightforward. Most patients return to normal activities within 24–48 hours. You may experience temporary numbness in the treated area, mild soreness at the injection site, or slight bruising. We recommend having someone drive you home after the procedure and avoiding strenuous activity for the rest of the day.

Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your response and determine if additional blocks or complementary treatments would be beneficial.

Who Is a Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for a peripheral nerve block if you:

  • Have chronic pain that hasn’t responded well to oral medications
  • Want to reduce your reliance on pain medication
  • Need diagnostic confirmation of the nerve causing your pain
  • Are preparing for or recovering from surgery
  • Suffer from neuropathy, CRPS, or other nerve-related pain conditions

Schedule your appointment

Schedule Your Consultation in Southern California

With over 30 years of experience treating complex pain conditions, Southwest Pain Management provides expert peripheral nerve block procedures at our convenient locations in Ventura, Woodland Hills, and Hawthorne. Dr. Philip Morgan and our compassionate team are dedicated to helping you regain comfort and quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out if a nerve block is right for you.

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FAQs

How long does a peripheral nerve block last?

The duration of pain relief from a peripheral nerve block varies depending on the type of medication used and the individual patient. A single injection typically provides relief lasting from several days to several months. Some patients experience longer-lasting relief when blocks are combined with physical therapy or other treatments. Your doctor at Southwest Pain Management will develop a personalized plan to maximize your results.

Is a peripheral nerve block painful?

Most patients experience only mild discomfort during the injection — usually described as brief pressure or a pinch. A local anesthetic is applied to the skin before the needle is inserted, which minimizes any pain. Many patients are surprised at how tolerable the procedure is compared to the chronic pain they’ve been living with.

What are the side effects of a peripheral nerve block?

Side effects are generally mild and temporary. They may include numbness or tingling in the treated area, soreness at the injection site, and minor bruising. Serious complications such as infection, nerve damage, or allergic reaction are extremely rare. Our team uses image-guided techniques to ensure precision and safety during every procedure.

How much does a peripheral nerve block cost?

The cost of a peripheral nerve block depends on your insurance coverage, the specific type of block performed, and whether imaging guidance is used. Most major insurance plans, including Medicare, cover medically necessary nerve block procedures. Our billing team at Southwest Pain Management can verify your insurance benefits before your appointment.

How soon can I return to work after a nerve block injection?

Most patients can return to work within 24–48 hours. You may experience temporary numbness in the affected area, so we recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day following your procedure. Desk jobs can often be resumed the next day, while physically demanding work may require an extra day of rest.

Can a peripheral nerve block be repeated?

Yes, peripheral nerve blocks can be safely repeated if your pain returns. Many patients benefit from a series of injections as part of a comprehensive pain management plan. Dr. Morgan will evaluate your response after each injection and recommend the best ongoing treatment approach.

What is the difference between a peripheral nerve block and an epidural?

While both are injection-based pain treatments, they target different areas. An epidural delivers medication into the space around the spinal cord, while a peripheral nerve block targets specific nerves outside the spine — in your arms, legs, or other areas of the body. The right choice depends on the location and cause of your pain.