Find Nerve Pain Specialists near you

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FAQs:

What is a Nerve Pain Specialist?

A nerve pain specialist deals with patients going through peripheral neuropathy and provides them with effective and pain-relieving treatments and solutions. These specialists can help you get rid of mild to moderate pain due to nerve compression.

What is Nerve Pain?

Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic 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 various 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.

What is the Most Common Type of Nerve Pain?

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of nerve pain and affects the nerves in the limbs. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the feet and hands. As a result of this type of neuropathy, individuals may develop muscle weakness, a loss of balance and coordination, and difficulty walking.

How is Nerve Pain Diagnosed?

There is not one test that can diagnose neuropathic pain, but doctors can use some of the following to help diagnose patients:

1. Review Medical History: A thorough review of your medical history is often the first step in diagnosing neuropathic pain. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and any other health conditions you may have, along with how long you have been experiencing symptoms.

2. Physical Exam: A physical exam can help your doctor rule out other conditions that may be causing your neuropathic pain symptoms. Your doctor will also check for signs of nerve damage.

3. Blood Tests: Blood tests may be ordered to check for conditions that can cause nerve pain all over the body, such as diabetes.

4. Imaging Tests: Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, can be used to look for signs of nerve damage.

5. Additional Nerve Function Tests: Additional nerve function tests, such as electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies, may be ordered to check for severe nerve pain all over your body.

Is Nerve Pain Considered Neurological?

Neuropathic pain is defined as a painful condition caused by neurological lesions or diseases. Sometimes, neurological disorders may also be associated with neuropathic pain, which can be challenging to manage. For example, multiple sclerosis (MS) may cause chronic centralized painful symptoms due to nerve damage.

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Muscle Pain and Nerve Pain?

If the pain started after an injury and it's a dull ache, it's likely muscle pain. If your pain seems to come out of nowhere or it's been ongoing, and it feels like your skin is on fire, you're likely experiencing nerve pain. If you're experiencing any kind of pain, you'll want to contact your doctor. They can help you diagnose the type of pain you're experiencing and work with you to create a treatment plan. They may prescribe some kind of pain medication or help you design an exercise plan to treat your pain. They may also refer you to a specialist or physical therapist.

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is nerve pain that results from nerve damage. There are many different types of neuropathy. Some neuropathies are named as a result of the condition that caused it, such as diabetic neuropathy or chemotherapy-induced. Some are named based on the nerve involved such as ilioinguinal neuropathy. They can also be based on the number of nerves involved, for 1 nerve it would be called mononeuropathy, or for the type of nerve involved, so for those involving the peripheral nerves, it would be called peripheral neuropathy. is nerve damage that results in pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs, feet, arms, or hands.

Is Heat or Ice Better for Nerve Pain?

Choosing between heat or ice for nerve pain depends on the underlying cause of the pain and the specific symptoms you are experiencing. Heat is generally more beneficial for muscle pain, stiffness, and spasms but it can also be helpful for certain types of nerve pain, such as sciatica or nerve pain related to muscle tension. Heat helps to relax and loosen tissues, increases blood flow to the affected area, and promotes healing. It can also soothe and comfort sore muscles. You can apply heat using warm towels, heating pads, heat wraps, or taking a warm bath.

Cold therapy is typically more effective for acute injuries or conditions that involve inflammation, swelling, or recent trauma. It can be useful for reducing pain and swelling associated with nerve compression or injuries. Cold makes blood vessels narrow, which can reduce inflammation and numb the affected area, providing pain relief. It can also help prevent further tissue damage. Cold therapy can be applied using ice packs, cold compresses, or taking ice baths.

Will Nerve Pain Ever Go Away?

Neuropathic pain is often described as a shooting or burning pain. It can go away on its own but is often chronic. Sometimes it is unrelenting and severe, and sometimes it comes and goes. It often is the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. The impact of nerve damage is a change in nerve function both at the site of the injury and in areas around it.

What Vitamin is Best for Nerve Pain?

B vitamins are useful in treating neuropathy since they support healthy nervous system function. Peripheral neuropathy is sometimes caused by a vitamin B deficiency. Supplementation should include B1 (thiamine and benfotiamine), B6, and B12. You may choose to take these separately instead of as a B complex, especially if you have a specific deficiency of one of these B vitamins.

A B12 deficiency is one cause of peripheral neuropathy. Without treatment, it can cause permanent nerve damage. This means that if you have peripheral neuropathy, supplementing with B12 might be a good idea.

Vitamin B6 may help to maintain the covering of nerve endings. However, you mustn’t take more than 200 milligrams (mg) of B6 per day. Research from 2021 shows that taking higher amounts can lead to nerve damage and cause symptoms of neuropathy.

Ten Common Types of Nerve Pain

Nerve pain is most commonly caused by nerve damage, also known as neuropathy. Nerve pain is a common symptom of various types of neuropathy.

Ten of the most common types of nerve pain include the following:

1. Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). Pain may be felt in the feet, legs, arms, hands, or other areas of the body. There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy.

2. Motor neuropathy is a specific type of peripheral neuropathy in which damage occurs to the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. This may cause painful muscle cramps and other symptoms, such as muscle weakness or twitching.

3. Sensory neuropathy is also a type of peripheral neuropathy. It involves damage to the nerves that transmit sensory information, such as touch, temperature, and pain. The nerve damage that causes sensory neuropathy can lead to the activation of pain receptors. It can also cause extreme pain from stimuli that would normally not cause pain, such as a light touch or a temperature change.

4. Focal neuropathy involves damage to a single nerve rather than multiple nerves. It can lead to sudden pain and weakness in one specific area of the body.

5. Compression mononeuropathy involves damage to a single nerve due to compression or narrowing of the blood vessels, which restricts blood flow to nerves. This can cause pain, tingling, or numbness. A common example of compression mononeuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome.

6. Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. It often causes pain, most commonly in the feet.

7. Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles. The pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia typically occurs in the location of the healed shingles rash.

8. Phantom limb syndrome is a type of neuropathic pain that occurs after amputation, potentially due to mixed signals from the brain and spinal cord. Phantom limb pain is felt in the location where the missing limb used to be and is often described as burning or prickling.

9. Trigeminal neuralgia, or damage to the trigeminal nerve in the head, can cause intense pain in the face. Trigeminal neuralgia often develops as a result of stroke or surgery.

10. Central pain syndrome develops from damage or dysfunction of the central nervous system (the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord). Pain may occur over large areas of the body, or it may be concentrated in certain areas, such as the hands or feet. The pain ranges from moderate to severe and is commonly described as burning pain.

Symptoms of Nerve Pain

Symptoms of a nerve condition vary from person to person depending upon the cause. Sometimes they appear suddenly. In other cases, they come on gradually or come and go. The most common symptoms of a nerve condition include:

1. A feeling of numbness, pain, tingling, or burning in your limbs or extremities

2. Unexplained weakness, loss of muscle strength, or paralysis

3. A persistent headache that comes on suddenly, or is "different"

4. Problems with coordination

5. Shooting pain down one leg

6. Back pain that extends to the toes or other parts of the body

7. Problems with vision (i.e. loss of sight or seeing double)

8. Slurred speech or other new language impairments (speaking or comprehending)

9. Memory loss

10. Seizures, tremors, or uncontrolled twitching

11. Mental impairment

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:

1. Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve pain through a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which occurs when high blood sugar levels over time damage nerves.

2. Nutritional deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies can occur when the body doesn’t get enough of certain nutrients, leading to several health complications: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Iron, Folate, and Magnesium.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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, and myelin sheath damage.

6. Cancer (a tumor can potentially press on a nearby nerve): Nerve changes may be caused by cancer pressing on nerves or by chemicals produced by a tumor. They 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.

10 Health Conditions Associated with Nerve Pain

Numerous health conditions can lead to nerve pain. Some cause nerve damage that creates pain; others cause painful compression of nerves. Health conditions that can cause nerve pain include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Diabetes

More than 50 percent of individuals with diabetes experience nerve damage known as diabetic neuropathy. Nerve damage caused by diabetes most commonly affects sensory nerves, but it can also affect autonomic and motor nerves.

2. Cancer

Cancer can cause nerve pain in several ways. As tumors grow, they can press on nerves, leading to pain. Cancer can create nutritional deficiencies that lead to nerve damage and cause pain. Chemotherapy and radiation can also cause painful nerve damage.

3. Nutritional imbalances

An imbalance of certain nutrients in the body can damage nerves. Two common examples are high levels of vitamin B6 and low levels of vitamin B12.

4. Vasculitis

Vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, can cause thickening or scarring of the blood vessel walls. This can reduce blood flow in affected parts of the body, which can lead to painful nerve damage.

5. Kidney disease

Kidney disease or kidney failure can contribute to a buildup of toxic substances in the blood. These substances can damage nerve tissues, causing polyneuropathy.

6. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the median nerve in the wrist as it passes into the hand, often due to the anatomy of the wrist or swelling in the wrist. This creates numbness and weakness in the hand and fingers and pain that may feel like an electric shock or a burning sensation.

7. Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that is spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The bacteria can affect the nervous system, including the peripheral nerves, which can cause burning or shooting pain in the arms or legs.

8. Sjögren’s syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the moisture-making glands in the body. It can also cause inflammation and damage to the peripheral nervous system, leading to the burning pain of peripheral neuropathy. Specific neuralgias associated with Sjögren’s syndrome include trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain or numbness in the face or mouth) and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (pain or numbness in the back of the throat)

9. Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. It often causes pain in the back and legs.

10. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV can damage both the central and peripheral nervous systems, which can lead to peripheral neuropathy or distal neuropathic pain.

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. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Massage Therapy: A massage helps to reduce the effects of injury by relieving the compression of nerves and encouraging the 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.

4. 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.

5. Medication: Yes, medication can help relieve nerve pain.

How to Sleep with Nerve Pain

Here are some tips for sleeping with nerve pain:

1. Comfortable Sleeping Position: You may want to experiment with different sleeping positions to find one that minimizes pressure on the affected nerves. Some people find relief by sleeping on their back with a pillow under their knees or on their side with a pillow between their knees.

2. Supportive Mattress and Pillow: Consider investing in a mattress and pillows that provide adequate support for your body. For instance, you may get yourself a memory foam mattress or an ergonomic body pillow.

3. Stretching and Gentle Exercises: Incorporate gentle stretching or relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation into your bedtime routine. These can help relax muscles and reduce tension, which may alleviate some nerve pain.

4. Avoid Stimulants: Consider limiting or steering away from caffeine and nicotine, especially in the evening, as these substances can interfere with sleep.

5. Reduce Distractions and Light: You may want to create a dark, quiet, and comfortable sleep environment. Consider using blackout curtains, an eye mask, or earplugs if necessary.

6. Bedroom Temperature: Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature. A cooler room (around 65-68°F or 18-20°C) is generally better for sleep.

Best and Worst Foods for Nerve Pain

There are many foods with what are considered “anti-inflammatory” properties that can work to calm and soothe oversensitive nerves. Conversely, some foods can intensify inflammation and neuropathy symptoms. Here are some specific food choices to avoid, better alternatives to consider, and other lifestyle changes that can also help manage your nerve pain.

A. What to Avoid

1. Highly Processed Foods – Fried foods, chips, cold cuts, and frozen prepared meals are often high in sodium, which can restrict blood flow, causing a potential flare-up of symptoms. They also tend to be less nutritionally dense than whole, fresh foods.

2. Added Sugar – Foods high in sugar – especially added sugar – can intensify nerve damage and pain, and can lead to weight gain and inflammation.

3. Dairy – Many people are more sensitive to dairy than they may realize. Products like cheese and butter are also rich in saturated fats and can fuel inflammation.

4. Gluten – Flour, especially refined white flour, refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, pizza, crackers, and other snacks can be difficult for many people to digest, especially if you have gastrointestinal issues or celiac disease. Recent studies have shown a link between gluten sensitivity and nerve pain.

5. Excessive Alcohol – Chronic, excessive alcohol intake can usher in alcoholic neuropathy and nerve deterioration. It can especially impact the autonomic nerves overseeing bodily functions. Additionally, many chronic alcohol users have nutritional issues that can further nerve damage.

All of these foods can exacerbate neuropathy symptoms by inducing inflammation and spiking blood sugar levels. These inflammatory foods can put extra stress on damaged nerves – heightening pain and irritation.

B. What to Eat

1. Lean Protein – lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, tofu, and beans can keep blood cells and nerves healthy because they are high in vitamin B12. B12 helps support the nervous systems and ensures efficient nerve-impulse transmission.

2. Fish – salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids which are anti-inflammatory and can assist with nerve regeneration.

3. Vegetables – Leafy green vegetables are full of fiber and other nutrients. They also contain magnesium, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E – vital nutrients for proper nervous system function. Magnesium has been shown to calm nerves, which may be helpful for those suffering from neuropathy.

4. Fruits – Especially low-glycemic fruits, such as apples, apricots, pears, oranges, strawberries, grapes, and plums are smarter choices for your sweet tooth.

5. Nuts – Cashews, almonds, and walnuts are all rich in Vitamin B, which supports healthy nerve function. Nuts also contain healthy fats, which can make you feel fuller for longer and help prevent overeating.

6. Whole Grains – Brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, and whole wheat or sprouted grain bread are excellent choices. They are high in fiber, which can help with inflammation.

How to Relieve Nerve Pain Naturally

When medications aren’t enough to reduce the pain, or their side effects become more bothersome than your symptoms, try adding other, more natural options for optimal nerve pain relief.

Here are 10 treatments to try:

1. Rub on a topical painkiller. Over-the-counter concoctions or creams that contain capsaicin (from hot chili peppers) can be rubbed directly on an area causing the most pain. It burns at first but is said to reduce pain and inflammation. Creams containing lidocaine can help numb the region, but their effects are temporary.

2. Get a massage. A small 2012 study found that having a massage (or six, weekly 60- to 75-minute massages in this case) can reduce the severity of nerve pain. In the study, massage aided in manipulating and mobilizing the patient’s foot and leg (the areas affected by her nerve pain), reducing her discomfort. Massage can also work by releasing tension and promoting relaxation.

3. Acupuncture. This ancient Chinese practice of sticking thin, metallic needles in specific points of the skin or body (the hand or feet, for example) can offer nerve pain relief. The needles alter the flow of energy (a.k.a. the qi) and may help release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relievers. While evidence is varied as to its true effects on pain, acupuncture may be worth a shot. Make sure to see a certified acupuncturist to ensure the best, safest treatment.

4. Physical therapy. Physical therapy is a treatment of choice for dealing with chronic nerve pain. Regular sessions can provide nerve pain relief by strengthening weak areas, increasing the range of motion, and teaching patients how to move to reduce discomfort.

5. Biofeedback. A process by which we learn to control some of our body’s more major stress responses (e.g., heart rate and breathing). Electrical sensors provide feedback about our bodies. This “feedback” alerts our brains to an imbalance and reminds us to focus on that area of tension (or pain) to help relax (or relieve) it. A 2015 pilot study of paraplegics suffering from central neuropathic pain found that neurofeedback training (a type of biofeedback that tracks brain waves) reduced both immediate and long-term pain.

6. Exercise. While this may be the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain, multiple research studies have proven that regular exercise (e.g., a 30-minute brisk walk five times a week) can decrease pain. A 2017 review of 381 studies found that exercising may reduce the severity of nerve pain, increase physical function, and improve quality of life. Here’s how: physical activity boosts blood flow to nerves and helps reduce inflammation.

7. Practice yoga. Yoga provides nerve pain relief in three ways: by strengthening the body, (thereby improving posture), increasing flexibility, and promoting relaxation. Authors of a study published in Integrative Medicine International claim that yoga can relieve low back pain and improve balance. Despite recommending further research, they suggest adding yoga to a nerve pain relief regimen.

8. Quit smoking. A small study found that smoking dramatically increases nerve pain. When one of the two men studied quit smoking for one month, his pain disappeared. After he resumed smoking, his pain returned to a level of 8.5/10 in the morning and 5/10 in the afternoon.

9. Get Botox. More than just a cosmetic treatment, Botox, a toxin used to weaken or paralyze certain muscles, can also block nerves, providing nerve pain relief and preventing migraines. A 2015 study on mice found that injecting Botox (type B) produced long-lasting reductions in pain caused by nerve injury or chemotherapy-related nerve damage.

10. Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This method of psychological therapy attempts to correct ingrained patterns of negative behaviors and thoughts. CBT can help teach coping methods to help deal with and possibly lessen chronic nerve pain.

When to See a Nerve Pain Specialist

The cause of a nerve condition is not always obvious and sometimes it can look like another illness or medical problem. That's why it's important to know the symptoms of your nerve condition and to see a healthcare professional for evaluation.

Nerve pain specialists will review your medical history, assess your health, and ask you for details about your symptoms. If the cause of your symptoms isn't obvious, you may require diagnostic tests. These will help them determine the cause of your symptoms and the next steps.

Sometimes, the cause of a nerve condition can be managed with medication, physical therapy, and/or occupational therapy. More serious cases may require surgery. In these situations, a team of specialists works together to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Consider scheduling an appointment with a nerve pain specialist if you:

1. Are experiencing symptoms of a nerve condition with or without a known cause.

2. Have suffered a traumatic injury — such as a motorcycle or automobile accident — in which the nerves or your upper or lower extremities are damaged.

3. Would like a second opinion for your nerve condition.

4. Have been treated for an injury but are still experiencing pain.

How to Find a Nerve Pain Specialist Near Me

Here are some useful tips to help you locate a nerve pain specialist in your area:

1. Seek recommendations from your primary care physician or consult friends and relatives for referrals.

2. Initiate your search with phrases such as “nerve doctors near me,” or “nerve pain specialists near me.”

3. Check online reviews of local nerve pain specialists to gather more information.

4. Once you’ve identified a reputable nerve pain specialist, schedule a consultation to explore your treatment options.

Sources:

Silky Patel MD

Advanced Ortho Sports

Warner Orthopedics

PainScale

Penn Medicine

MedicineNet

Bearaby

J Flowers Health

The Painsmith

NIH

WebMD

Healthline

University Health News