Peripheral nerve blocks may help identify or temporarily reduce selected nerve-related pain when a specific nerve or nerve group is suspected.
Peripheral nerve entrapment occurs when a nerve becomes compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Dr. Siefferman explains how peripheral nerve entrapments are diagnosed, the underlying causes of nerve compression, and the targeted treatment options available to relieve symptoms and restore function.
Our team organizes conditions and treatments into related zones of expertise to make it easier to explore the care paths most relevant to your symptoms and goals.
Use the zone tags above to browse dedicated pages for each focus area, including services, providers, and what to expect during treatment.
Hi, I’m Dr. Jason Siefferman, medical director at Manhattan Pain Medicine. Peripheral nerve entrapments occur throughout the body when a peripheral nerve becomes entrapped.
Essentially, what that means is that the space where the nerve runs becomes compressed for some reason. Common scenarios are carpal tunnel right here where the median nerve gets caught. There’s the cubital tunnel syndrome, which occurs at the ulnar nerve at the elbow. In the legs, we have peroneal nerve entrapment and tarsal tunnel syndrome.
We see this commonly with hypermobility or sprains in the structures around where those nerves course, and we can see it with overuse because overuse also leads to enlargement of the connective tissue structures around the nerve, which can lead to entrapment of the nerve. We look to understand why the nerve is entrapped and come up with a treatment for that entrapment rather than just dosing the nerve with steroid repetitively, because that doesn’t really treat the cause.
Peripheral nerve blocks are targeted injections placed near a specific nerve or nerve group to help diagnose or temporarily reduce nerve-related pain. They may be considered for selected pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, headache or facial pain, trigeminal neuralgia, foot pain, abdominal wall pain, scar neuroma pain, cancer-related pain, or complex chronic pain patterns.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine, peripheral nerve blocks NYC care begins with diagnosis-first evaluation. The goal is to determine whether symptoms are likely coming from a specific peripheral nerve and whether a nerve block may provide diagnostic information, temporary relief, or both.
MPM specialists evaluate whether a peripheral nerve block may be appropriate by carefully mapping symptoms to anatomy. Burning, shooting, stabbing, electric, radiating, or localized pain may suggest nerve involvement, but similar symptoms can also come from spine disease, pelvic floor dysfunction, vascular issues, muscle compression, inflammation, scar tissue, cancer-related pain, or central sensitization.
MPM reviews the patient’s pain pattern, exam findings, imaging, prior treatments, medication history, pelvic or headache history, and functional limitations. This helps determine whether a nerve block, nerve hydrodissection, peripheral nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, medication management, pelvic specialty care, headache care, or another pathway may be appropriate.
Jason W. Siefferman, MD
Medical Director | Interventional Pain Management | Headache Medicine
Luis Aranguren, MD
Interventional Pain Management
Tayyaba Ahmed, DO
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Pelvic Pain
Adam Rosenberg, PA-C
Board-Certified Physician Assistant
Jordan Shankle, PA-C
Board-Certified Physician Assistant
Peripheral nerve blocks may be used diagnostically, therapeutically, or both. A diagnostic nerve block may help determine whether a specific nerve is contributing to pain. If temporary relief occurs after numbing medication is placed near the suspected nerve, that response may support the nerve as a pain generator. A therapeutic nerve block may help reduce symptoms for a period of time, especially when medication such as local anesthetic, with or without corticosteroid, is clinically appropriate.
MPM does not present nerve blocks as permanent solutions or as treatment for every pain condition. Temporary relief can still be clinically useful because it may help guide next steps. For example, a response to a pudendal nerve block, occipital nerve block, trigeminal nerve block, or foot nerve block may help clarify whether further nerve-focused care should be considered. This may include nerve hydrodissection, peripheral nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, medication management, rehabilitation, or specialist coordination.
Peripheral nerve blocks may fit across several MPM Zones of Expertise, including Complex Chronic Pain, Pelvic Pain, Headache, Autonomic dysfunction, Hypermobility, and Musculoskeletal issues. Nerve-related pain often overlaps with other pain systems. A patient with pelvic pain may also have pelvic floor dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia, central sensitization, or autonomic symptoms. A patient with facial pain may have headache, neuralgia, TMJ overlap, or cervical contributors. A patient with foot pain may have nerve entrapment, joint pain, soft tissue pain, or gait-related mechanics.
MPM uses nerve blocks as part of a broader diagnostic and treatment framework. The block may provide useful information, but it is rarely the entire answer. Treatment planning may also involve ultrasound-guided injections, nerve hydrodissection, peripheral nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, medication management, pain psychology, rehabilitation, pelvic specialty care, headache care, or specialist coordination.
Before a peripheral nerve block, MPM reviews the suspected nerve target, diagnosis, purpose of the block, medication being considered, risks, alternatives, and post-procedure instructions. The skin is cleaned, and medication is injected near the selected nerve or nerve group. Ultrasound guidance may be used when appropriate to help identify the target and nearby structures.
Patients may feel pressure, brief discomfort, numbness, warmth, heaviness, or temporary weakness depending on the nerve and medication used. Relief may be temporary and may last hours, days, or longer depending on the injection and condition. Some patients may experience a short pain flare. MPM reviews the response after the block to determine whether the nerve target was clinically meaningful and whether next steps should include additional nerve-focused treatment, rehabilitation, medication management, or further diagnostic evaluation.
I cannot say enough good things about Manhattan Pain Medicine. From the moment I walked in, I felt truly cared for and taken seriously. Dr. Nino Mikaberidze, Director of Rheumatology, is exceptional — knowledgeable, compassionate, and incredibly thorough. She takes the time to listen, explains every...
The best care I've received as a chronic pain patient. I traveled from out of state to visit Manhattan Pain Medicine because I could not find knowledgeable doctors in my hometown for my hypermobility, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome symptoms and comorbidities. Let me tell you, it was worth every travel e...
I was injured in a bicycle accident over 8 years ago. I’ve suffered throughout the years since my accident with nothing seeming to work. PT, Yoga, lifestyle changes, NOTHNG! I finally made an appointment with Dr Kane and I’m feeling an improvement in my life. I no longer stay up all night in pain, a...
One of the best experiences, if not the best, I have ever had at the doctor’s office. From the front desk to the nurses to the PA assisting the doctor this was a great experience. Dr.Nino actually listened to me and came up with a game plan. Would recommend this practice to as many people as I could...
I have very unique & severe nerve pain from CRPS which has no known specific cure. Dr. Siefferman has a huge tool box, far greater than the other 23 Drs. I have seen. He saved me from jumping off a bridge and continues to help me with both treatments and advice. Dr. S. is in a different league!
After two years of searching and feeling lost and let down, I finally found real help at Manhattan Pain Medicine. With Dr. Siefferman, Adam Rosenberg, Dr. Mikaberidze, and the whole team, I feel heard, supported and understood. Every symptom is being considered and I’m finally getting answers with m...
Why is Dr Dr. Tayyaba Ahmed one of the top pevic Floor specialists - 1- She wants to know a full history of what led the patient to get to this point. 2 - She listens intensley to the patient 3- She does not rush you 4- Extremely skilled at giving pelvic floor injections 5- I thank my luck stars she...
The staff was friendly and helpful. Dr. Siefferman was thoughtful, listened, asked questions and proposed simple safe ways to come to further conclusions regarding my pain and discomfort. The office staff including Dr. Siefferman is responsive even after the initial in-person visit. Very pleased.
Dr. Siefferman is a brilliant provider. While my pain is still a work in progress, Dr Siefferman always gives me options and explains his reasoning behind things. He listens to my feedback and concerns. I never feel rushed; and am grateful he works to meet me where I am. I highly recommend him.
What a great find! They listen to me, I listen to them and the diagnosis is made and a plan developed to develop an approach to treat all of my chronic pain. I wish I could have discovered this type of treatment sooner. This doctor and group give me hope.
A peripheral nerve block is an injection placed near a specific nerve or nerve group to help diagnose or temporarily reduce nerve-related pain. It may involve local anesthetic, sometimes with corticosteroid when clinically appropriate. Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered for selected pelvic pain, headache, facial pain, foot pain, abdominal wall pain, scar neuroma pain, cancer-related pain, or complex chronic pain patterns. At MPM, peripheral nerve blocks NYC care begins with diagnosis-first evaluation.
A peripheral nerve block works by placing medication near a targeted nerve to interrupt or reduce pain signal transmission for a period of time. The response may help clarify whether that nerve is contributing to symptoms. Some blocks are used mainly for diagnosis, while others may provide temporary symptom relief. The effect is usually not permanent. MPM uses the response to help guide next steps in the broader treatment plan.
Peripheral nerve blocks can be diagnostic, therapeutic, or both. A diagnostic block helps determine whether a specific nerve is likely contributing to pain. A therapeutic block is intended to reduce symptoms for a period of time. In many cases, the response provides useful clinical information even if relief is temporary. MPM evaluates how much relief occurs, where relief occurs, and how long it lasts before recommending next steps.
Peripheral nerve blocks may help evaluate selected nerve-related pain patterns, including pudendal neuralgia, pelvic pain, occipital headache, facial pain, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, foot nerve pain, Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, abdominal wall nerve pain, scar neuroma pain, cancer-related pain, and complex chronic pain. They are not appropriate for every pain condition. MPM determines whether the symptoms and anatomy support a nerve-focused procedure.
Peripheral nerve blocks may help selected pelvic pain patients when a specific nerve, such as the pudendal nerve, appears to be contributing to symptoms. Pelvic pain can also involve pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic dystonia, endometriosis, bladder or bowel conditions, spine referral, central sensitization, or autonomic symptoms. A nerve block may provide temporary relief or diagnostic information, but it is not a cure for pelvic pain. MPM evaluates the full pelvic pain pattern before treatment.
A pudendal nerve block may be considered when symptoms suggest pudendal neuralgia or pudendal nerve involvement. It may provide temporary pain relief and may also help clarify whether the pudendal nerve is a meaningful pain generator. Response varies by patient. Pudendal symptoms can overlap with pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic dystonia, PGAD-related symptoms, spine-related pain, and other pelvic conditions. MPM interprets the block response within the full clinical picture.
Peripheral nerve blocks may help selected headache or facial pain patterns when a specific nerve target is suspected. Examples may include occipital nerve blocks for occipital neuralgia or headache overlap, trigeminal nerve blocks for selected facial pain, or glossopharyngeal nerve blocks for selected throat or facial pain patterns. Headache and facial pain can also come from migraine, TACs, TMJ dysfunction, cervical spine issues, or neurologic conditions. MPM evaluates the diagnosis before recommending a block.
Nerve blocks may be considered in selected trigeminal neuralgia or facial pain cases when the pain pattern, diagnosis, and anatomy support a targeted procedure. Trigeminal neuralgia can require neurologic evaluation, medication management, imaging review, and specialist coordination. A block may provide temporary relief or diagnostic information, but it does not cure trigeminal neuralgia. MPM evaluates whether a trigeminal nerve block or another care pathway is appropriate.
Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered for selected foot pain when nerve irritation or entrapment appears to be contributing. This may include Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, metatarsalgia with nerve overlap, or other peripheral nerve entrapment patterns. Foot pain can also come from joint disease, tendon problems, biomechanics, stress injury, or vascular concerns. MPM evaluates whether a nerve block, diagnostic ultrasound, nerve hydrodissection, orthotics, rehabilitation, or another treatment is more appropriate.
Peripheral nerve blocks may help evaluate selected abdominal wall pain, scar neuroma pain, or localized nerve-related pain after surgery or injury. If pain is sharply localized, burning, electric, or triggered by touch or movement, a peripheral nerve source may be considered. However, abdominal pain can also come from GI, pelvic, hernia-related, vascular, or urgent medical causes. MPM evaluates red flags and the full clinical picture before recommending a nerve block.
The duration of a peripheral nerve block varies by medication, nerve target, diagnosis, and patient response. Some blocks may provide relief for hours, while others may reduce symptoms for days or longer. Relief may be temporary, and some patients may not respond. Temporary relief can still be useful if it helps confirm the involved nerve. MPM uses the duration and quality of relief to guide future treatment planning.
Ultrasound guidance may be used for selected peripheral nerve blocks when it supports safety, accuracy, or diagnostic confidence. Ultrasound can help visualize nearby tissues, blood vessels, and the expected nerve region during certain procedures. It does not guarantee pain relief, but it may help improve targeting. MPM determines whether ultrasound guidance is appropriate based on the nerve, anatomy, symptoms, and clinical goal.
A nerve block places medication near a nerve to temporarily reduce pain signals or help confirm a diagnosis. Nerve hydrodissection uses fluid to separate a nerve from surrounding tissue when nerve entrapment or adhesions may be contributing to symptoms. The two procedures have different goals, though they may be related in a treatment plan. MPM may use the response to a diagnostic nerve block to help determine whether nerve hydrodissection or another nerve-focused procedure should be considered.
Temporary relief can still be clinically meaningful. It may suggest that the targeted nerve is involved and may help guide next steps. Depending on the diagnosis, MPM may consider repeat evaluation, medication management, nerve hydrodissection, peripheral nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, rehabilitation, pelvic care, headache care, or specialist coordination. If relief is very limited or does not match the expected pattern, MPM may reassess whether another structure or condition is contributing to pain.
Risks may include pain flare, soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, temporary numbness or weakness, nerve irritation, vascular injury, local anesthetic toxicity, steroid-related side effects when steroids are used, incomplete relief, temporary relief only, or no relief. Urgent evaluation is needed for fever, spreading redness, severe swelling, new weakness, new numbness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe allergic reaction, loss of pulses, limb discoloration, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Before care begins, our team helps patients understand the practical side of treatment, including insurance verification, out-of-network benefits, cost-share estimates, self-pay options, and billing questions. We believe patients should have as much clarity as possible before moving forward.
If you are considering peripheral nerve blocks in NYC for pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, headache, facial pain, foot pain, abdominal wall pain, scar neuroma pain, cancer-related pain, nerve entrapment, or complex chronic pain, MPM can help determine whether a nerve block may be appropriate. Your evaluation will consider your symptoms, anatomy, diagnosis, prior treatments, safety factors, and care goals before any recommendation is made.
Peripheral nerve blocks are targeted injections placed near a specific nerve or nerve group. They may be used to help diagnose or temporarily reduce nerve-related pain. Depending on the clinical goal, the injection may include local anesthetic, with or without corticosteroid when appropriate.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine (MPM), peripheral nerve blocks NYC care begins with diagnosis-first evaluation. The goal is to determine whether symptoms are likely coming from a specific peripheral nerve and whether a block may provide diagnostic information, symptom relief, or both.
Peripheral nerves carry signals between the body and the nervous system. When a nerve is irritated, compressed, inflamed, injured, or sensitized, pain may feel burning, shooting, stabbing, electric, radiating, or sharply localized. A nerve block places medication near the suspected nerve to reduce signal transmission temporarily.
The response can be important. If pain improves in the expected area after a nerve block, that may support the nerve as a pain generator. If there is little or no improvement, the pain may be coming from another structure, another nerve, the spine, a joint, muscle, pelvic floor dysfunction, vascular issues, or central sensitization.
Peripheral nerve blocks may be diagnostic, therapeutic, or both. A diagnostic block helps answer the question: Is this nerve contributing to the pain? A therapeutic block may help reduce symptoms for a period of time. In many cases, temporary relief still provides useful information.
This is especially important before more advanced treatments such as nerve hydrodissection, peripheral nerve stimulation, stellate ganglion block, or neuromodulation. A block response can help confirm whether the treatment plan is focused on the right nerve pathway.
Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered for selected pelvic pain patterns, including suspected pudendal neuralgia or pudendal nerve involvement. Symptoms may include burning, sitting pain, genital or perineal pain, pelvic nerve pain, or overlap with pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic dystonia, or PGAD-related symptoms.
Pelvic pain is complex and may also involve gynecologic, urologic, GI, musculoskeletal, spine, autonomic, or central pain contributors. A pudendal nerve block may provide temporary relief or diagnostic information, but it does not cure pelvic pain. MPM evaluates the broader pelvic pain pattern before recommending treatment.
Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered for selected headache and facial pain patterns. Occipital nerve blocks may be used when occipital neuralgia or headache overlap is suspected. Trigeminal nerve blocks may be considered for selected facial pain patterns. Glossopharyngeal nerve blocks may be considered for selected throat, jaw, or facial pain presentations.
Headache and facial pain can also come from migraine, cluster headache, TACs, TMJ dysfunction, cervical spine conditions, or neurologic disease. MPM evaluates the diagnosis and red flags before recommending a targeted nerve block.
Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered for selected foot pain related to Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, metatarsalgia with nerve overlap, or peripheral nerve entrapment. They may also be used to evaluate abdominal wall nerve pain, scar neuroma pain, or selected cancer-related pain patterns.
These conditions require careful evaluation. Foot pain may be mechanical, joint-related, tendon-related, vascular, or nerve-related. Abdominal pain may be nerve-related, hernia-related, visceral, GI, pelvic, or urgent. MPM evaluates the full picture before using a nerve block.
Ultrasound guidance may be used for selected peripheral nerve blocks. It can help visualize nearby tissues, blood vessels, and the expected nerve region. This may support more precise placement and may be useful when anatomy is complex or when diagnostic accuracy matters.
Ultrasound guidance does not guarantee relief. The most important step is selecting the correct nerve target based on the patient’s symptoms and clinical findings.
Peripheral nerve blocks may cause pain flare, bruising, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, temporary numbness or weakness, nerve irritation, vascular injury, local anesthetic toxicity, steroid-related side effects when steroids are used, incomplete relief, temporary relief only, or no relief.
Patients should seek urgent evaluation for fever, spreading redness, severe swelling, new weakness, new numbness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia, chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, loss of pulses, limb discoloration, suspected infection, severe allergic reaction, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
For selected patients, peripheral nerve blocks can help clarify the pain source and guide next steps. MPM’s role is to determine whether the nerve target is clinically appropriate and how the block fits within a coordinated, medically responsible pain care plan.
