Procedure

Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Peripheral nerve blocks deliver medication directly to a specific nerve to reduce pain at its source — providing targeted relief for occipital neuralgia, shingles nerve pain, intercostal pain, knee pain, and other focal nerve conditions.

Candidacy

Who This May Help

Peripheral nerve blocks may be an option if you have pain that is localized to a specific nerve distribution — meaning the pain follows a predictable pattern along the path of a particular nerve. Common examples include headache or neck pain at the base of the skull from occipital neuralgia, burning chest wall or rib pain from shingles or postherpetic neuralgia, chronic knee pain, hip or groin pain, and focal post-surgical nerve pain. Nerve blocks can be used as a standalone treatment, as a diagnostic tool to confirm a nerve as the pain source, or as a bridge to longer-term procedures. A consultation with our clinical team will determine whether you are a candidate.

Common Applications

Nerve Blocks We Perform

Occipital Nerve Block

Used for occipital neuralgia — a condition that causes sharp, shooting, or burning pain at the base of the skull and back of the head. An occipital nerve block targets the greater and lesser occipital nerves and can provide meaningful relief for patients with persistent headaches or neck-related head pain that has not responded to medications.

Intercostal Nerve Block

Used for pain along the ribs or chest wall — most commonly from postherpetic neuralgia (the nerve pain that persists after a shingles outbreak), post-surgical chest wall pain, or intercostal neuralgia from injury or inflammation. The injection targets the nerve running beneath each affected rib and can provide significant relief for patients with burning or hypersensitive chest or rib pain.

Genicular Nerve Block

Used for chronic knee pain — particularly in patients with knee arthritis who are not surgical candidates or who are looking to delay or avoid knee replacement. The genicular nerves supply sensation to the knee joint, and blocking them can reduce pain and improve function. A positive response to a genicular nerve block may also indicate candidacy for genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting relief.

Other Peripheral Nerve Blocks

We also perform nerve blocks for hip pain, groin and pelvic nerve pain, post-surgical nerve pain, and other focal nerve conditions depending on the location and source of your symptoms. A consultation will determine which nerve or nerves are most appropriate to target for your specific situation.

Recovery & Results

What to Expect After the Procedure

Peripheral nerve blocks are same-day outpatient procedures. Most patients go home within an hour and resume normal light activities the same day. Some mild soreness at the injection site is common and typically resolves within a day or two. Relief from the nerve block itself may begin within minutes of the injection as the local anesthetic takes effect.

The duration of relief depends on the medication used and the individual condition. Local anesthetic alone provides hours to days of relief. When combined with a corticosteroid, relief may extend to several weeks or months. For conditions like occipital neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia, a series of nerve blocks can provide progressively longer-lasting improvement. When blocks confirm a specific nerve as the pain source, longer-term options such as radiofrequency ablation or peripheral nerve stimulation may be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Peripheral nerve blocks can be used for a wide range of focal nerve pain conditions including occipital neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia (shingles nerve pain), intercostal nerve pain, chronic knee pain, hip pain, groin and pelvic nerve pain, and post-surgical nerve pain. They can serve as a standalone treatment, a diagnostic tool, or a bridge to longer-term procedures such as radiofrequency ablation or peripheral nerve stimulation.
The duration of relief depends on the medication used and the individual patient. Local anesthetic blocks typically provide relief lasting hours to days. When combined with a corticosteroid, relief may last several weeks to months. For some conditions such as occipital neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia, a series of nerve blocks can provide progressively longer-lasting relief over time.
Most patients tolerate peripheral nerve blocks well. A small amount of local anesthetic is used to numb the skin before the injection, minimizing discomfort. The procedure is typically brief and patients go home the same day. Some mild soreness at the injection site is normal and usually resolves within a day or two.
Yes. Postherpetic neuralgia — the nerve pain that persists after a shingles outbreak — is one of the conditions most commonly treated with peripheral nerve blocks. For patients with chest wall or rib pain from shingles, intercostal nerve blocks can provide meaningful relief. For patients with shingles affecting the head or neck, occipital or other cranial nerve blocks may be appropriate. A series of blocks is often more effective than a single injection for persistent shingles nerve pain.
A peripheral nerve block delivers medication — typically a local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid — alongside a nerve to reduce pain temporarily. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to interrupt the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals for a longer period — typically six months to two years. Nerve blocks are often used first, both for their therapeutic benefit and to confirm that a specific nerve is the pain source before proceeding with ablation.

Schedule a Consultation

A consultation is the right starting point. Our clinical team will determine whether a peripheral nerve block is appropriate for your specific pain condition.

Request an Appointment (850) 559-2355