Advanced Care for Chronic Nerve Pain and Neuropathic Conditions
Nerve pain can be persistent, unpredictable, and difficult to manage. Unlike pain caused by muscles or joints, neuropathic pain results from injury or dysfunction of the nervous system and may continue even after the original injury or illness has healed.
At TOPS Institute, our board-certified pain management specialists provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans for patients with peripheral neuropathy, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), postherpetic neuralgia, and other chronic nerve pain conditions. Using advanced interventional pain management techniques, neuromodulation, image-guided procedures, and non-opioid treatment options, we help patients improve function and regain their quality of life.
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Understanding Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain occurs when nerves become damaged or function abnormally, causing them to send pain signals even when no ongoing injury is present. Symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly and can range from mild discomfort to severe, disabling pain.
Because there are many causes of nerve pain, an accurate diagnosis is essential before treatment begins. Our specialists perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify the underlying condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
Common Symptoms of Nerve Pain
Patients with neuropathic pain may experience:
- Burning pain
- Sharp or shooting pain
- Electric shock-like sensations
- Tingling or “pins and needles”
- Numbness
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Pain from light contact with clothing or bedding
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in skin temperature or color
- Swelling
- Difficulty walking or using the affected limb
Conditions We Treat
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged, affecting sensation, movement, or both. Symptoms most commonly begin in the feet or hands but may also affect the legs, arms, or other parts of the body.
Common causes include:
- Diabetes
- Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Autoimmune disorders
- Alcohol-related nerve damage
- Kidney disease
- Infections
- Nerve injuries
- Idiopathic (unknown cause) neuropathy
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, improving function, and addressing the underlying cause whenever possible.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a chronic pain condition that may develop after an injury, fracture, surgery, or other trauma. The pain is often significantly more severe than expected based on the original injury.
Symptoms may include:
- Severe burning pain
- Swelling
- Skin color changes
- Temperature changes
- Increased sweating
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Decreased range of motion
Early diagnosis and treatment may improve outcomes. Depending on the individual case, treatment may include physical therapy coordination, medications, sympathetic nerve blocks, Stellate Ganglion Blocks for upper extremity CRPS, lumbar sympathetic blocks for lower extremity involvement, or Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) for carefully selected patients with persistent symptoms.
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia is a chronic nerve pain condition that may occur after a shingles (herpes zoster) infection. Even after the rash has healed, damaged nerves can continue sending pain signals for months or longer.
Symptoms often include:
- Burning pain
- Sharp stabbing pain
- Persistent aching
- Extreme skin sensitivity
- Pain from clothing touching the skin
- Itching or numbness
Treatment is individualized and may include medications, nerve blocks, neuromodulation, and other interventional pain management techniques depending on symptom severity.
Other Neuropathic Pain Conditions
Our physicians also evaluate and treat a wide variety of chronic nerve pain disorders, including:
- Neuropathic pain after surgery
- Chronic post-traumatic nerve pain
- Nerve injuries following orthopedic procedures
- Entrapment neuropathies
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Ilioinguinal neuralgia
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Occipital neuralgia
- Trigeminal nerve-related pain (selected patients)
- Cancer-related nerve pain
- Persistent post-surgical pain syndromes
Every treatment plan is customized based on your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Before recommending treatment, our specialists perform a detailed evaluation that may include:
- Medical history
- Neurological examination
- Physical examination
- Review of MRI, CT, X-rays, or nerve studies
- Previous treatments
- Medication review
- Functional assessment
- Coordination with neurology or other specialists when appropriate
A precise diagnosis helps guide the most effective treatment strategy.
Advanced Treatment Options
Depending on your diagnosis and symptoms, treatment may include:
Medication Management
Certain medications may help reduce neuropathic pain and improve daily function as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Image-Guided Nerve Blocks
Targeted nerve blocks may help reduce inflammation, interrupt pain signaling, and assist in diagnosing the source of nerve pain.
Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
For selected patients with CRPS or sympathetically maintained pain, sympathetic nerve blocks may provide diagnostic information and therapeutic relief.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation uses small electrical leads placed near an affected peripheral nerve to help modulate pain signals. Selected patients complete a temporary trial before considering long-term treatment.
Learn More About Peripheral Nerve Stimulation →
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
For certain patients with chronic neuropathic pain or CRPS that has not responded to conservative care, spinal cord stimulation may help reduce pain by modifying pain signals before they reach the brain.
Learn More About Spinal Cord Stimulation →
Stellate Ganglion Block
Patients with CRPS affecting the upper extremities or other sympathetically maintained pain conditions may benefit from a Stellate Ganglion Block, an image-guided procedure that targets sympathetic nerves in the neck.
Learn More About Stellate Ganglion Block →
Why Choose TOPS Institute?
Patients throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Southern California choose TOPS Institute because we offer:
- Board-certified pain management specialists
- Expertise in complex nerve pain conditions
- Advanced interventional pain procedures
- Image-guided precision treatments
- Neuromodulation therapies, including PNS and SCS
- Concierge-level patient care
- Personalized, non-opioid treatment plans whenever appropriate
- Coordination with neurologists, primary care physicians, oncologists, and rehabilitation specialists
Our goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to the activities that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. Unlike pain from muscles or joints, it often feels like burning, tingling, electric shocks, or stabbing sensations and may persist even after an injury has healed.
What causes peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy has many possible causes, including diabetes, chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, infections, alcohol use, kidney disease, and traumatic nerve injuries. In some cases, no specific cause can be identified.
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?
CRPS is a chronic pain condition that may develop after an injury, fracture, or surgery. It often causes severe pain, swelling, skin changes, and heightened sensitivity that are disproportionate to the original injury.
Can postherpetic neuralgia be treated?
While there is no single cure, many patients experience meaningful symptom improvement through medications, nerve blocks, neuromodulation, and other interventional pain management treatments tailored to their condition.
When should I see a pain management specialist?
If nerve pain persists despite conservative treatment, interferes with daily activities, causes weakness or significant sensitivity, or has not improved over time, a comprehensive evaluation by a pain management specialist may help identify additional treatment options.
Schedule Your Consultation
Living with chronic nerve pain can affect every aspect of your life, but effective treatment options may be available. At TOPS Institute, we provide personalized care for patients with peripheral neuropathy, CRPS, postherpetic neuralgia, and other complex neuropathic pain conditions using advanced, minimally invasive treatment approaches.
If you’re looking for an experienced nerve pain specialist in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, our team is here to help.
Call 310-694-9494 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation. We proudly serve patients throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Southern California with expert interventional pain management and concierge-level care.