5 Ways to Treat Chronic Nerve Pain

Chronic nerve pain is one of the most frustrating issues people face; approximately 770 million people globally suffer from chronic nerve pain. Managing chronic nerve pain is challenging. Chronic nerve pain comes in many forms and has many names depending on its site. Some common names include phantom limb syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia (a chronic pain condition that causes painful sensations similar to an electric shock on one side of the face) and ulnar neuritis (numbness or weakness in the hand due to inflammation of the ulnar nerve in the arm).

Regardless of its name or the area of your body where you experience chronic nerve pain, the condition is challenging and can have a lasting effect on your quality of life. There are plenty of ways to manage this painful condition at Clearway Pain Solutions. In this article, you will find five helpful ways to treat your chronic nerve pain as efficiently as possible.

What is Nerve Pain?

Nerve pain is a general term for various chronic pain conditions that affect the nerves. All pain results from a message sent from the part of the body that is suffering to the brain. This electrical impulse travels along a network of nerves that extends from your spinal cord to your skin and internal organs. The location of the pain depends on where these nerves are located. The nerves that cause pain in your back and neck are the same ones that supply your arms and legs. Pain management is often recommended a means to cope with nerve pain. At Clearway Pain Solutions, we develop an individualized treatment plan to meet your specific needs and produce long-lasting results.

How is Nerve Pain Diagnosed?

A Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG) will be conducted to diagnose nerve damage. During a Nerve Conduction Study, your skin will be cleaned, electrodes will be taped to the skin along the nerves that are being studied, and a small stimulus will be used to apply an electric current. The electrodes will measure the current that travels down the nerve pathway. The current will be slower and weaker if your nerve is damaged. Stimulus will be used at different places to find the site of the damage. Nerve conduction studies are often done along with electromyography (EMG).

What are the Causes of Nerve Pain?

There are many different causes of nerve pain, but you can generally group them into two categories. Nerve damage and nerve impingement.

Nerve Damage: This is a result of trauma to the nerves. Examples include degenerative conditions, like carpal tunnel or sciatica, and the side effects of certain medications. In some cases, even surgery can damage the nerves. In many cases, interventional pain management is a great approach that can help alleviate and heal the nerve damage.

Nerve Impingement: This occurs when a structure pushes against or pinches a nerve, causing it to become compressed or inflamed. This can happen due to a bone spur, an abnormality in your spine, bone, or even a cyst or tumor. In most cases, there is an easy solution. Treating the underlying condition will alleviate the nerve impingement and improve pain.

Clearway Pain Solutions offers a wide range of treatments for people suffering from chronic nerve pain. Our treatments are effective, and affordable, and will help you live a more comfortable life.

Types of Nerve Pain

While all forms of nerve pain are difficult to deal with, some are more manageable than others. These are the main types of nerve pain that you could be experiencing:

• Acute Pain: Acute pain is sudden in onset and and only occurs for a limited period of time. Most common causes include to tissue, muscles, bones or organs and is often accompanied by anxiety and distress.

• Chronic Pain: Chronic pain tends to linger for weeks or months and seems to be resistant to short-term treatments. It is most commonly linked to long-term illnesses such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, or cancer. A common cause of chronic pain is nerve damage.

• Neuropathic Pain: Neuropathic pain is specific to nerve damage at any level of the nervous system i.e. the peripheral nerves, the spinal cord and brain. Neuropathic pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation.

• Psychogenic Pain: Pain that occurs due to factors other than illness or injury such as prolonged mental, emotional or behavioral issues is known as psychogenic pain. Psychogenic pain can occur in varying intensities but most commonly manifests as headaches, abdominal pain or back pain.

It can be challenging to find practical solutions for nerve pain. This is because each person has different triggers and experiences. At Clearway Pain Solutions, a team of pain specialists will develop a treatment plan designed to meet your personal needs.

Symptoms of Nerve Pain

Most people associate nerve pain with a tingling or burning sensation in the affected area. There are many other symptoms to look out for, including:

• Shortening of the muscles and tendons in the area
• Swelling
• Changes in skin color
• Thickening of the skin
• Changes in hair growth patterns
• Changes in hair color

When Does Nerve Pain Become Chronic?

The key to determining when you have chronic nerve pain is assessing whether you’ve had the condition for at least three months. When you sustain nerve pain from an injury, the pain will usually subside within a few weeks. If your pain lasts for three months, then it is likely chronic. When you are dealing with chronic pain, you need to be patient. Rushing the healing process will only result in more pain. Chronic nerve pain is a serious condition and requires a well thought-out treatment plan.

5 Ways to Treat Chronic Nerve Pain

There are many recommended treatments available to help you manage your nerve pain and make it easier to live your life. Here are seven ways you can treat chronic nerve pain:

1. Interventional Procedures: There are many interventional procedures that can help to treat the causes of nerve pain, such as nerve blocks or spinal cord stimulation. These procedures can help to target the cause of the pain to aid patients in finding therapeutic relief.
   1. Spinal Cord Stimulation: If you have chronic pain that has not responded to more conservative treatments, spinal cord stimulation could be the answer. These devices block pain signals, allowing you to experience significant relief. In a recent medical study, seven in 10 individuals who opted for an implanted spinal cord stimulation device reported pain reduction.
   2. Nerve Blocks: Clearway offers a treatment called a selective nerve block to diagnose and treat the affected nerves that are causing severe pain. A selective nerve root block is an injection of steroids and a local anesthetic along a specific nerve root. As the name indicates, a selective nerve block targets specific nerves, rather than an entire area. Your pain management specialist will insert a needle in the foramen (a small hole in the spine where the nerves come out) alongside the nerve root and inject the medication.
2. Physical Therapy: If you have chronic nerve pain, physical therapy can help with symptom relief. If you’re experiencing numbness in your extremities as well as intense pain throughout your whole body—particularly in areas like your arms and legs—then physical therapy may be the correct option for you.
3. Medication: Medication for chronic pain nerve pain treatment can be used in conjunction with other therapies to help manage pain. Many people find that medication for chronic pain nerve pain treatment helps them feel better and reduces their dependence on other medications.
4. Massage therapy: Massage therapy involves a broad range of pressures, movements, and techniques such as pressing or rubbing muscles with the hands to relieve pain; other types of pain may require more complex manipulations using all four limbs.
5. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice in which thin needles are inserted into the body at specific points to relieve pain and treat other conditions. More than 3 million Americans use acupuncture, but it is even more popular in other countries. 

At Clearway Pain Solutions, we believe in using the most advanced technology and evidence-based treatments. If you’re ready to start your journey to pain-free living, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

When to See a Pain Management Specialist for Chronic Pain Nerve Pain?

If you have been experiencing chronic pain that has not improved with treatment, you should seek the help of a physical therapist. If the pain is severe, a physical therapist can help you learn how to self-manage it. In addition to helping you manage your pain, a physical therapist can also help you prevent re-injury. They know exercises that strengthen the muscles around your joints and can help you improve your balance.

Why Choose Clearway Pain Solutions for Chronic Pain Nerve Pain Treatment?

If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you know how difficult it can be to get relief. You may have tried over-the-counter remedies, at-home exercises, and even dietary or lifestyle changes, but nothing has worked. If so, it’s time to try Clearway Pain Solutions. We are the best choice for chronic pain treatment. Our team of specialists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored specifically to your needs. Learn more about Clearway Pain Solutions below, and contact us today to schedule a consultation.