If you have ever experienced nerve pain, you understand how debilitating it can be at times. You also may have an idea of how there are not a lot of avenues for pain relief out there. As someone who does not want to take pain medications daily that will cause me to be unable to think clearly or be a stupefied lump on the couch, I have tried many options before agreeing with my healthcare team in pursuing affordable medications that targeted nerve pain without creating a zombie out of me.
Some of the pain relief techniques I have tried over the years are:
- Chiropractic care
- Acupuncture
- Laser light therapy
- Essential oils
- Pain-relief creams and sports rubs
- Dry needling
- Physical therapy
- TENS unit
It turns out dry needling was beneficial, as well as pain relief creams, but they are only a temporary fix. So, I agreed with my healthcare team and began utilizing gabapentin as a nerve pain blocker, and to date, it has been helpful. However, I would prefer to pursue physical therapy, sports rubs, and dry needling some more, with the end goal of eventually weening myself off the gabapentin under the guidance of my doctors, of course.
According to The Cleveland Clinic, “Neuropathic pain treatment depends on the underlying cause and what works for your unique symptoms. Your provider will create a personalized plan based on those factors.
The goals of treatment are to:
Treat any underlying disease (for example, radiation therapy or surgery to shrink a tumor that’s pressing on a nerve).
Provide pain relief.
Maintain functionality.
Improve your quality of life.
In most cases, you’ll need a combination of treatments to manage neuropathic pain. These treatments might include:
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. These include medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Antiseizure medications. Experts don’t know why antiseizure medications work so well for some people with neuropathic pain. Some believe these drugs interfere with pain signals in your body.
Antidepressants. Anxiety and depression can make neuropathic pain worse. Antidepressants have proven successful in providing neuropathic pain relief. Experts believe these medications treat pain as well as anxiety and depression symptoms.
Topical treatments. Lidocaine or capsaicin may help ease neuropathic pain. You can apply these creams, ointments or patches directly to the affected areas.
Nerve blocks. These injections can provide temporary pain relief. A healthcare provider will give you the injection close to the affected nerve or group of nerves.
Physical therapy. This approach helps relieve soreness, stiffness and discomfort that results from neuropathic pain. It can also encourage your body to produce more natural pain-relieving chemicals. Physical therapy may include various types of massage and exercise.
Surgery. In some cases, surgery can help ease neuropathic pain symptoms. A surgeon may be able to release, repair or even remove certain nerves to reduce or eliminate pain.
Psychological counseling. In addition to medical treatment, you may benefit from psychological counseling. Therapy can help you cope with the emotional stress of neuropathic pain.
If these treatments don’t relieve neuropathic pain, your healthcare provider may recommend spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation or brain stimulation. Your healthcare provider can talk with you about the pros and cons of this type of treatment,”.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
What is the best rub for nerve pain?
Unfortunately, I have tried Lidocaine, and while it worked amazingly, it turns out I am allergic. Let’s see what other rubs the experts suggest for nerve pain.
Healthline suggests the following:
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that can be found in the form of creams, gels, sprays, or patches — both OTC and by prescription, depending on its strength. Lidocaine, along with other topical creams, can help treat nerve pain near the skin’s surface, a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
Capsaicin is what makes chili peppers hot. Capsaicin is believed to ease chronic nerve pain by making your nerves insensitive to pain messages. Like Lidocaine, capsaicin comes in several forms, including patches, creams, ointments, and gels.
While CBD (cannabidiol) is considered more of a supplement than a medication, it’s worth mentioning because of its potential for relieving neuropathy and its wide availability in vitamin and drug stores.
CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain, inflammation, and other bodily functions. Several forms of CBD can treat nerve pain, including topicals, capsules, oral tinctures, edibles, and inhalable products.
Menthol is a natural compound found in peppermint that’s commonly used in topical pain-relieving products like creams, gels, and sprays.
It works by producing a cooling sensation on the skin, which can help to distract the brain from the sensation of pain and provide temporary relief,”.
What causes nerve pain?
As already mentioned, nerve pain and treatment mainly depends on the underlying cause. For example, I have a few areas across my body that are causing nerve pain. The nerve pain in my legs is coming from my pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. The nerve pain in my left arm, into my hand, is coming from a shoulder impingement. Nerve pain in my back, which is also going into my legs, is coming from sciatica inflammation on both sides.
The Mayo Clinic cites the below list of potential causes for nerve pain:
- “Autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Infections
- Inherited disorders (such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease)
- Tumors
- Bone marrow disorders
- Other diseases (kidney disease or liver disease, and an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism)
- Other causes of neuropathies include:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Exposure to poisons
- Medicines
- Injury or pressure on the nerve
- Low vitamin levels. B vitamins, including B-1, B-6 and B-12, as well as copper and vitamin E are crucial to nerve health,”.
As demonstrated, nerve pain can arise from many different sources. For instance, my nerve pain is from old sports injuries and sitting in front of a computer for more than eight hours a day, five to six days a week. My mother had chronic, acute neuropathy in her hands and feet, which caused an unbalanced walk and was a direct result of diabetes. One of my closest friends has neuropathy from chemotherapy and radiation treatments for breast cancer.
These personal examples illustrate just how varied and widespread the causes of nerve pain can be, reinforcing the need for a tailored approach to each individual’s treatment plan.
What is the best treatment for nerve pain
In conclusion, navigating nerve pain requires a personalized strategy. Collaborating closely with healthcare professionals to explore diverse treatments and balancing immediate relief with long-term wellness goals will ensure optimal results.