Neuropathic pain occurs when your body sends pain signals to your brain, triggering a shooting or burning sensation as well as potential numbness. People who experience neuropathic pain may also have trouble sleeping due to their symptoms, potentially resulting in additional issues such as emotional problems. Symptoms can present in several different ways, including:
Allodynia: This form of neuropathic pain is triggered in response to typically non-painful stimuli, such as gentle pressure or cold temperatures.
Hyperalgesia: Some people who experience neuropathic pain may feel a greater-than-average reaction to normally painful stimuli, such as the prick of a needle.
Hypoalgesia: Unlike hyperalgesia, this type of neuropathic pain causes the opposite reaction, resulting in reduced pain in response to typically painful stimuli.
Spontaneous pain: This type of neuropathic pain occurs without any stimuli.
Dyesthesia: This symptom can occur either spontaneously or in response to an external stimulus, resulting in an abnormal sensation.
Neuropathic pain is typically chronic, as it is most often the result of long-term conditions such as diabetes, central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, or injuries that result in nerve damage. However, acute neuropathic pain can also occur in some cases.
Neuropathic pain is treated with the goal of resolving the underlying cause of your symptoms while providing you with relief and maintaining your normal functionality. This can involve a variety of treatment approaches, including medication, physical and psychiatric therapy, and potentially surgery.
One effective approach to relieving neuropathic pain is through nerve blocks, which are injections of steroids, anesthetics, or other medicines into the affected nerves. These injections are performed by pain management specialists from a wide range of clinical backgrounds, including neurology, orthopedics, and physical therapy, who can determine whether this treatment is right for you based on your symptoms and medical history.
You can receive pain management treatments such as nerve blocks at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment with a pain specialist, please call (718) 206-7246.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.