Nerves play a vital role in helping us respond to different environments we contact. The nervous system controls our body’s activities and transmits messages throughout our body organs. But when there is damage or an issue with the nervous system, you can experience pain that may interfere with your daily routine. Luckily neuropathic pain Austin specialists offer comprehensive care to relieve pain and restore your health. Keep reading for more insights about neuropathic pain.
What is neuropathic pain?
It’s pain that occurs when there is damage or infection of the sensory nerves on your nervous system. The condition affects your nerves’ function of signaling the brain. You may expect to experience the following symptoms.
- Weakness
- Burning sensation
- Tingling or numbness
- Sharp, shooting pain
- Itchiness
- Hypersensitivity
The symptoms however depend on the specific nerve damage.
What are the causes of neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain occurs due to nerve damage caused by a chronic disease, compression, pinching, or trapping.
Neuropathic pain occurs in various forms, including.
Peripheral neuropathy
This type of neuropathy occurs to the body’s longest nerves, running to the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy may occur due to genetics and conditions such as diabetes, viral infection, liver, or vascular disease.
Entrapment neuropathy
It involves neuropathy that results from a pinched and trapped nerve in the neck, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, or foot. Examples of entrapment neuropathy include thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Postherpetic neuralgia
This nerve pain occurs when you have a viral infection known as shingles.
Phantom limb pain
It’s likely to happen when you have had an arm or leg amputation.
Post-traumatic neuropathy
This type of nerve pain occurs after an injury or surgery.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia leads to severe pain on one side of your face and jaw.
The team at Republic Spine and Pain offers customized treatment plans for various types of neuropathic pain, contact them today to schedule your consultation.
Treatments for neuropathic pain
Your provider at Republic Spine and Pain creates your treatment plan, depending on the cause, the extent, and the location of your pain. Your treatment option for neuropathic pain may include the following.
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Activity modification
- Stress management
- Use of supportive devices
When your pain does not improve with conservative treatments, your provider suggests other techniques.
Radiofrequency nerve ablation treats neuropathic pain by removing the nerve to block the pain signal to the brain.
A spinal cord stimulator involves placing a device on your back or abdomen to pass the electrical signals to the spinal cord that interferes with the pain signal to change the pain sensation.
In addition, other factors may cause neuropathic pain, such as HIV and AIDS, alcoholism, chemotherapy drugs, and radiation therapy. Neuropathic pain may have a severe impact on your health and quality of life. Proper diagnosis is crucial to identify the cause and extreme of your pain.
Neuropathic pain feels like a stabbing or shooting pain, with a burning or tingling sensation. You may also experience numbness and muscle weakness. Your provider at Republic Spine and Pain offers effective individualized treatment plans to relieve your pain and restore your health. Reach out to the practice today for a consultation.
