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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.

Advanced Care for Chronic Nerve Pain and Neuropathic Conditions

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.

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.

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.

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.

Treatments for this condition

How we treat it

These are the procedures our specialists most often use for hip pain. Your plan is confirmed after examination and imaging.

Advanced pain management specialists

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.

Good to know

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.

Your health starts here.

Leave a message or give us a call — we'll find a time that works for you.

310-694-9494

info@topsdoctors.com

640 South San Vicente Blvd., Suite 389, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Interventional pain management for Los Angeles & Beverly Hills — image-guided care that treats the source, not just the symptom.