Neuropathic Pain Guide: Causes, Treatment, And Symptoms

Have you ever felt a sharp, electric pain on the back of your leg or hip that radiates down to your foot? 

If so, then it’s likely that you’ve experienced sciatica – an unwelcome and sometimes excruciating condition. 

In this guide, we’ll give you detailed information about the causes, treatment options and symptoms of sciatica – no sugar-coating here! Read on for all the fiery details…

What causes neuropathic pain?

Disease

The disease can cause neuropathic pain. 

This kind of pain is often felt in the legs and can have other symptoms too. 

For instance, it can cause burning, tingling, numbness, and shooting or stabbing pains.

Injuries

An injury to the nerve pathways in the brain or spinal cord can also cause neuropathic pain. 

This kind of injury could be due to an accident or a disease such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes.

Infection

Various infections, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, can cause neuropathic pain. 

Viral infections such as shingles or herpes zoster can cause severe burning and stabbing. 

Pains in the affected area. Bacterial infections like Lyme disease and leptospirosis can cause neuropathic pain due to nerve damage.

Limb loss

Limb loss is a common cause of neuropathic pain, which can be described as a type of pain resulting from nerve damage or dysfunction. 

This can include damage to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves caused by traumatic injury, such as an accident or surgery, or diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS,

Other causes

Other causes of neuropathic pain can include genetic conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, and vascular diseases such as Buerger’s disease, a condition in which arteries become blocked due to inflammation or narrowing of the vessel walls. 

Neuropathic pain can also result from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and certain medications.

What are the symptoms?

Neuropathic pain symptoms can include burning sensations, tingling, numbness, extreme sensitivity, shooting or stabbing pains, and numbness or weakness in the affected area. 

People with neuropathic pain may also experience hypersensitivity to touch or cold temperatures.

How’s it treated?

Over-the-counter pain medication

Over-the-counter pain medications can be bought without a prescription and are used to help reduce neuropathic pain symptoms. 

These medications work by blocking pain signals from being sent to the brain, helping to reduce sensations of burning, tingling, numbness, shooting or stabbing pains, and hypersensitivity. 

Common over-the-counter pain medications include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen.

Prescription medications

Prescription medications are usually prescribed for more severe neuropathic pain. 

These can include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine or venlafaxine, and anticonvulsants like gabapentin or pregabalin. 

These medications work by targeting the chemicals in the brain that send pain signals, helping reduce neuropathic pain symptoms.

Antidepressant drugs

Antidepressant drugs are medications that can help treat neuropathic pain, a type of chronic pain caused by damage or disease to nerve cells in the body. 

These drugs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two hormones that regulate mood and emotion. 

They can also act on other substances in the brain that control pain and reduce neuropathic pain symptoms. 

Commonly prescribed antidepressants for treating neuropathic pain in the legs include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

Prescribing medication is always based on individual patient needs, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about the best option.

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants are a class of medications used to treat seizures but can also be useful in controlling neuropathic pain. 

Neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves that causes chronic and sometimes severe pain. 

Anticonvulsants work by blocking certain chemical signals within the brain that are associated with sending pain signals. 

They can be effective in treating neuropathy symptoms, such as pain in the legs. 

Common anticonvulsants used to treat neuropathic pain include lamotrigine, pregabalin, and carbamazepine.

Before beginning treatment, it is important to speak with a doctor about any potential side effects of anticonvulsant medications.

Nerve blocks

Nerve blocks are a form of intervention that can help treat neuropathic pain, a type of chronic and often debilitating pain associated with nerve damage. 

Nerve blocks involve an injection of anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected area. 

The injections are placed into specific nerve bundles or pathways connected to the area of the body where the pain is located. 

This blocks the transmission of pain signals from these nerves and can provide relief for up to several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the case. 

Nerve blocks are often combined with other treatments, such as physical therapy and medications, to help manage neuropathic pain in the legs and other areas affected by nerve damage.

Implantable device

Implantable devices are special tools that doctors can use to help with neuropathic pain, such as pain in your legs. They can help reduce symptoms like burning or tingling. 

Implantable devices are placed in the body, usually near nerves that transmit pain signals. 

The device sends electrical pulses or medication to the nerves to block pain signals from getting through. 

This can help reduce neuropathic pain and give you relief. 

The implant may have a wire leading out of your skin so a doctor can adjust it remotely. 

Although implantable devices can be a great option for some people, they come with risks and should only be used after other treatments have failed to provide relief. 

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using an implantable device.

Nerve pain treatment at home

Lifestyle treatments for neuropathic pain can include various methods that help reduce symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for those suffering from this condition. 

These treatments typically involve dietary changes, physical and occupational therapies, relaxation techniques, and other lifestyle modifications. 

Diet changes may include avoiding foods that increase inflammation, such as processed foods, refined sugars, and fatty meats. 

Eating more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can reduce inflammation. 

Exercise can also help reduce neuropathic pain symptoms by strengthening muscles and improving flexibility. 

Physical therapies may also help to relieve discomfort associated with neuropathic pain in the legs by providing targeted exercises that focus on specific areas of the body. 

Occupational therapies may be prescribed to help with activities of daily living and can provide relief from fatigue associated with neuropathic pain. 

Relaxation techniques, such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation, can also help to relieve anxiety and stress associated with this condition. 

Finally, lifestyle modifications such as improving sleep habits and avoiding alcohol or drugs may be recommended to reduce neuropathic pain symptoms. 

How can this pain be managed?

Multimodal therapy

Multimodal therapy is an approach to managing neuropathic pain that combines different treatments and medications. 

This often includes a mix of pharmacological, physical, psychological, and other interventions. 

Common medications used in multimodal therapy include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioid analgesics. 

Additionally, physical therapy may be recommended to help reduce pain and improve strength and range of motion in the affected area and relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

Prevention From Neuropathic Pain

Prevention from neuropathic pain involves avoiding activities or conditions that cause nerve damage, such as diabetes, wound infections, and vitamin deficiencies. 

Staying active and eating a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of developing nerve pain. 

Adequate rest, stress management techniques, and regular exercise are important factors in preventing neuropathic pain.