According to research statistics, about ten percent of the U.S. population experiences neuropathic pain. The extent of the pain varies in different people, but it can often be debilitating and severe. It would be best if you considered getting appropriate treatment for the slightest neuropathic pain symptoms. The board-certified pain management specialists at Republic Spine and Pain provide effective neuropathic pain Austin treatment to manage your neuropathic pain. The treatments offer you long-lasting relief and improved quality of life. Here is everything you need to know about the management of neuropathic pain.
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What Exactly Is Neuropathic Pain?
Neuropathic pain is the pain resulting from the damage or disease of the sensory nerves in your central or peripheral nervous system. This chronic condition causes changes in how the affected nerve transmits signals to your brain. This often causes symptoms such as; hypersensitivity, itching, sharp and debilitating pain, burning, numbness, and weakness. Your neuropathic pain symptoms will depend on the nerve that is damaged.
What Are the Common Types of Neuropathic Pain?
Neuropathic pain develops when a peripheral or central nervous nerve gets pinched, compressed, damaged, or trapped. The common types of neuropathic pain include;
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the longest nerves from the central nervous system to the hands and feet get damaged. This type of neuropathic pain might develop due to liver disease, viral infection, vascular disease, diabetes, or as a hereditary condition.
Entrapment Neuropathy
This condition occurs when a nerve is trapped or pinched and might happen in your shoulder, neck, elbow, hip, wrist, foot, or lower leg. Some examples of entrapment neuropathy are thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Post-Traumatic Neuropathy
This is the nerve pain that develops after surgery or injury.
Phantom Limb Pain
This type of neuropathic pain happens in some people after an arm or leg amputation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe pain in the jaw and face, often on one side.
Postherpetic neuralgia
This nerve pain develops from a nervous viral infection known as herpes zoster, more commonly referred to as shingles.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry because there is an available treatment regardless of your cause or type of neuropathic pain.
What Are the Available Treatments for Neuropathic Pain?
When you visit pain specialists with neuropathic pain, they will start by discussing your symptoms and reviewing your medical history. Your provider will develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your condition depending on your symptoms’ severity, location, and underlying cause. The common conservative treatments for neuropathic pain include; physical therapy, activity modification, stress management, prescription medication, and supportive devices.
If you don’t get relief with conservative treatments, the doctor might recommend undertaking radiofrequency nerve ablation. This minimally invasive procedure ablates the nerve to prevent the pain signal from reaching your brain. A spinal cord stimulator is another option where a device is installed in your abdomen or back and transmits the electrical signal to the spinal cord that changes the pain signal to alter the pain sensation.
Neuropathic pain can cause debilitating and severe pain, affecting your general life quality. The pain specialists at Republic Spine and Pain are experienced in providing effective neuropathic pain treatments. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.