Nerve Pain Treatment From Pain Management Specialists in Freehold, NJ

Reviewed by AOSMI’s Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Ali Valimahomed

What is Nerve Pain

Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Unlike other types of pain, nerve pain is caused by damage or dysfunction to the nervous system, leading to abnormal signaling between the nerves and the brain. This can result in a range of symptoms, from shooting or burning sensations to numbness and tingling. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for nerve pain is crucial for those experiencing this challenging condition.

Types of Nerve Pain

Nerve pain can manifest in various ways depending on the underlying cause. There are several types of nerve pain that individuals may experience, each with its own distinct characteristics and symptoms.

One common type of nerve pain is peripheral neuropathy, which affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. This type of nerve pain can cause symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness in the affected areas. Another type of nerve pain is radiculopathy, which occurs when a nerve root in the spine is compressed or irritated, leading to pain, weakness, and often radiating symptoms along the nerve pathway.

Other types of nerve pain include neuralgia, which is sharp, stabbing pain along the course of a nerve, and complex regional pain syndrome, which involves severe, chronic pain that typically affects a limb. Ultimately, the type of nerve pain an individual experiences will depend on the underlying cause, and proper diagnosis by a medical professional is essential for effective treatment.

Causes of Nerve Pain

In addition to traumatic injuries, several medical conditions can damage your nervous system and prompt it to misfire. Some possible causes of chronic nerve pain that requires treatment include:

• Diabetes : Diabetes can cause nerve pain through a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which occurs when high blood sugar levels over time damage nerves
• Nutritional deficiencies : Nutritional deficiencies can occur when the body doesn’t get enough of certain nutrients, and can lead to a number of health complications : Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Iron, Folate, Magnesium.
• Nerve compression, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or a pinched spinal nerve : Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and postherpetic neuralgia (PSN) are both conditions that can cause nerve pain, but they have different causes and symptoms

• Certain medications, including some chemotherapy drugs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatments : Chemotherapy and HIV medications can cause nerve pain by damaging the nervous system and causing inflammation
• Certain autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease: Autoimmune conditions can cause nerve pain by damaging nerves directly or indirectly, Autoantibodies, Myelin sheath damage.
• Cancer (a tumor can potentially press on a nearby nerve) : Nerve changes may be due to cancer pressing on nerves or due to chemicals produced by a tumour. It can also be caused by nerve changes due to cancer treatment. Chronic pain continues long after the injury or treatment is over and can range from mild to severe. It can be there all the time.

Nerve Pain Treatment Options

Although nerve damage may not be completely curable, it can often be effectively managed. Treatment can vary based on the underlying cause. The first step in relieving nerve pain is identifying the source of the damage so that it can be addressed if possible. Nerve pain treatment may involve regulating blood sugar levels to manage diabetes, taking supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies, performing physical therapy to reduce pressure on a compressed nerve, changing medications, or treating an underlying medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder or cancer.

The next step, if necessary, is to treat the nerve pain independently of its underlying condition. Your nerve pain specialist may recommend the following treatments:

• Injection Therapy: Nerve blocks ease pain by offering immediate relief. They can also offer longer-term relief, because some injections reduce irritation to the nerves and let them heal. Nerve blocks can help people who have chronic pain function better in their daily lives, allowing them to go to work, exercise, and do daily tasks.
• Physical Therapy : It can help to reduce inflammation and pressure on the nerves. Strengthening exercises help improve the function of the muscles and joints. These exercises can help take pressure off the nerves by providing support to the surrounding tissues.
• Massage Therapy: A massage helps to reduce effects of injury by relieving compression of nerves an encouraging repair of damaged nervous tissues to increase. Relief of compressed nerves and healing of damaged nervous tissues reduces negative sensations such as pins and needles and numbness to improve sensation.
• Acupuncture : The needles used in acupuncture are inserted into your body’s pressure points to stimulate the nervous system. This may release endorphins, providing natural pain relief in the muscles, spine, and brain. This technique changes your body’s response to pain.
• Medication: Yes, medication can help relieve nerve pain.

Visit The Nerve Pain Specialists At AOSMI In Freehold, NJ

The team of board-certified pain management physicians at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute offers a comprehensive range of treatment options for nerve pain, including injection therapy, medications, topical treatments, and electrical stimulation. Our orthopedic clinic has extensive experience treating patients with all levels of nerve pain; pain management is our specialty, and your quality of life could be the next to improve dramatically with our services. To learn more, contact us  AOSMI to schedule an appointment at our New Jersey pain management clinic and take your first step toward a pain-free life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nerve Pain & Treatment

What is the most common type of nerve pain?

How can a doctor tell if you have nerve pain?

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