Conor Fowler, MD

An injection can be administered through multiple processes. The physician will inject the steroids into the area known as the ‘epidural space’, this is located between the inner surface of the vertebral column and the outer layer of the spinal cord. In some cases, a flushing solution may be required to remove inflammatory proteins from the space that can be a source of pain.

The procedure is implemented with sedation. If used, patients will be monitored for an extended amount of time following the injection before being discharged. It is recommended for patients to rest on the day of the treatment. Regular activities can recommence the next day.

This treatment has a 50 percent success rate. If pain persists after the first injection, it is not recommended to have further ones. If patients experience minor improvements, continued injections may be necessary.

Conor Fowler, MD, is a physician specializing in pain medicine, sports medicine, interventional spine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. At California Pain Medicine Center in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Fowler treats a wide spectrum of painful conditions including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), back and neck pain, and sports-related injuries.

His clinical focus includes spine interventions for neck and low back pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and comprehensive pain management. He is trained in advanced modalities such as epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild) and regenerative medicine with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other orthobiologics. 

Dr. Fowler completed his fellowship in Pain Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles/West LA VA Hospitals, where he gained extensive expertise in interventional and multidisciplinary approaches to pain care. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where he served in multiple leadership roles and earned board certification from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He also completed his preliminary medicine internship at Greenwich Hospital/Yale School of Medicine. 

He earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, where he was president of his class and recognized with awards for innovation, service, and leadership. Prior to medical school, Dr. Fowler graduated summa cum laude and top of his major from Boston University with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Dr. Fowler is an active member of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society’s Early Career Council and the North American Spine Society. He has contributed to multiple professional societies, including the Association of Academic Physiatrists and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. His research interests include sports medicine, adaptive athletics, and novel approaches to pain syndromes, with publications and presentations at national conferences.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Fowler has served as a mentor and tutor for residents, medical students, undergraduates, and high school students pursuing medical careers. He has also been active in volunteer efforts, including adaptive sailing programs for veterans and youth, as well as the Medical Justice Alliance advocating for incarcerated patients’ right to care.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Fowler is an accomplished sailor, marathon runner, and outdoor enthusiast. He is a former collegiate sailor for Boston University and enjoys playing beach volleyball on the weekends in Santa Monica. 

Dr. Fowler is committed to delivering compassionate, comprehensive, and evidence-based care to patients living with acute and chronic pain, while also advancing the field through research, teaching, and mentorship.