Nerve Pain

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Nerve pain (also called neuralgia) describes the pain related to the nervous system and is a type of chronic pain that affects as many as 1 in 20 Australians.

In this article, we cover all things nerve pain, including what nerve pain is, the symptoms of nerve pain, and management strategies, including medications for nerve pain.

What is nerve pain?

Nerve pain is very different from the usual aches and pains we experience. Nerve pain is caused by injury or disease to the nerves which send pain signals between different parts of our body and the brain. This could come from injury or disease from either the central nervous system (that is, your brain and spinal cord), peripheral nervous system (everywhere else in your body), or both.

Nerve pain feels very different compared to other types of pain and can both develop slowly over time or come on suddenly. Nerve pain feels different to the pain we experience when we burn or cut ourselves, which goes away once that part of our body has healed. Nerve pain is often long-term (chronic) and can affect sleep, mood, and even daily activities. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of nerve pain can vary widely from person to person. Nerve pain is most often described as a pain which has sharp shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation. While some people may describe the sensation as a ‘pinched nerve’, nerve pain can be complex and involve a broader range of symptoms. If you are experiencing nerve pain, you may feel:

• areas that are numb to touch
• pain from things which are not usually painful (like drying yourself with a towel)
• a sensation of heat or coldness in some areas
• pins and needles or electric shock type sensations

Symptoms are sometimes grouped as ‘positive symptoms’ (like increased shooting pain) and ‘negative symptoms’ (like numbness or loss of sensation).

Your pain may not always feel like anyone else’s pain. Some people report that nerve pain is the most severe form of pain imaginable, but because the nervous system is dynamic, the way you experience nerve pain may change over time.

You should see your doctor if you have ongoing nerve pain. Consulting a healthcare professional can assist in identifying and helping you understand your symptoms.

Can nerve pain affect different parts of the body?

Yes, nerve pain may be present anywhere that there is injury or disease to the nerves, which can be anywhere. For example, an injured nerve in your back may lead to you experiencing a burning pain in your back. The pain may also ‘radiate’, meaning that although the damage is in one area, you experience pain in other areas of the body, like your legs.

The area may still be functional while experiencing nerve pain. For example, if you are experiencing shoulder nerve pain, you may still be able to write, lift objects or move your arm.

Where you experience nerve pain may depend on the type of nerve pain you are experiencing. Read on to learn about specific types of nerve pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common type of nerve pain and most commonly affects women over the age of 50 years.

The condition is named after the trigeminal nerve, which connects to areas of the face including the cheeks and jaw. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterised by jolts of shooting pain which affect one or both sides of the face (generally at alternating times).

The nerve pain may be severe and can turn simple activities like brushing your teeth into painful events. Trigeminal neuralgia can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, causing intense discomfort and affecting their ability to perform daily activities.

Treatment options include nerve pain tablets, nerve block medication, or surgical procedures, depending on the severity and underlying cause of the condition. If you think you have trigeminal neuralgia, you speak to your healthcare professional or doctor for treatment options.

Shingles and nerve pain

Shingles is a very painful condition caused by reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, where the virus lays dormant in your system for life after an initial infection.

Symptoms of shingles include a skin rash characterised by pain and blistering which usually appears in one area of the face or body, usually on the torso but can occur anywhere.

Shingles is a common cause of nerve pain. The pain may be associated with the rash or radiating to other parts of the body through nerve cells. For example, a rash on the upper torso may radiate and cause shoulder nerve pain.

Some shingles nerve pain may also continue after you have recovered from a shingles episode, called post-herpetic neuralgia. This persistent pain in the region for longer than 3 months is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

If you think you have shingles, it’s important that you seek urgent medical attention, as early treatment can help prevent long-term neve pain. Painkiller medication or nerve pain medication may be needed to help manage symptoms.

Pain assessment

Pain is subjective and cannot be directly or easily measured by any healthcare professional because it cannot be diagnosed by an X-ray or MRI. Screening tools are valuable in describing nerve pain.

It may be helpful to use a self-reported pain intensity scale to keep track of your nerve pain. This is also a great starting point when discussing your nerve pain with a healthcare professional or doctor.

Keeping track of your pain can help your doctor or healthcare professional to make better treatment decisions. An example of a way to keep track of pain is to use a simple numerical scale, where 0 means no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. Remember to keep track regularly, and remember to  record the date and time of day.

What are the treatment options for nerve pain?

Fortunately, there are several nerve pain treatment options available to manage nerve pain. A treatment plan for nerve pain aims to provide symptom relief, maintain or restore physical function, and improve quality of life.

Unfortunately, though, nerve pain can be difficult to treat, and your symptoms may not disappear entirely. However, there is increasing clinical evidence that supports early management of pain – so it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional as soon as you can!

Traditional over-the-counter painkillers and medicines used for inflammatory pain (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may be less effective for nerve pain. Any medications for nerve pain shouldn’t be used on their own, but rather together with other non-medicated management strategies.

Can nerve pain be managed without medication?

Nerve pain can be a complicated condition and may involve a variety of treatment options. Non-drug treatment is a key part of managing nerve pain and should form part of a multi-disciplinary approach. Some non-drug treatments for nerve pain include:

Your healthcare professional or doctor may advise that non-drug treatment be used alongside other nerve pain medication. You should regularly review your nerve pain management plan with your healthcare professional to keep track and support your wellbeing. It is important to find a supportive and knowledgeable team of healthcare professionals to help manage your pain.

Can physical therapy help with nerve pain?

Treatment for nerve pain should be evidence-based and personalised to you. Leading a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly will help you stay active and maintain your physical wellbeing.

Exercise or physical therapies can be helpful in managing nerve pain and are part of nerve pain treatment at home.  A trained physical therapist can design an exercise program tailored to the individual, which can help improve mobility, strength, and flexibility. Gradually increasing physical activity levels through regular exercise can help reduce pain intensity and improve overall well-being.

Prescription medications for nerve pain

If you are looking for nerve pain medication, Australia is fortunate to have many available. Your doctor may prescribe a prescription medication to reduce your nerve pain symptoms. This could include nerve pain tablets or other products, like nerve pain relief cream. Most nerve pain medications work by ‘calming down’ nerve activity, which in turn reduces the nerves’ sensitivity to pain signals.

The type of product your doctor recommends may depend on the severity of your pain, where on the body you are experiencing pain, other nerve pain medication treatments which you may have tried or other medications which you are currently taking.

Some medications for nerve pain are also used for treatment of different conditions, like depression. Your healthcare professional or doctor will be able to answer any questions to help you understand the treatment they are recommending for you.

People who do not respond to one nerve pain medication may respond to another (even one which is the same type of medication). It may take time for you and your doctor to find a treatment that works for you.

Some topical medications may be beneficial for localised nerve pain. Topical nerve pain medication refers to medicated creams, gels or patches that are applied directly to the skin to alleviate or manage nerve pain. These medications work by targeting the nerve endings in the affected area. Topical nerve pain medication may contain anaesthetic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other topical pain relieving ingredients.

Topical medications have several advantages for nerve pain management. They are easy to apply directly to the affected area, and the medication is delivered directly to the nerves without passing through the bloodstream. Your healthcare professional may recommend a topical nerve pain relief cream or patch which is suitable for you.

Can plant-based medicine be used as an alternative treatment for nerve pain?

It is important to remember that there is very limited information regarding how plant-based medicine might work as a treatment to provide nerve pain relief, and how safe the treatment is. This is the reason that in Australia, plant-based medicine is only available when other medical products have failed or have not worked, and only on a case-by-case basis through their GP, specialist, or nurse practitioner.

We spoke to Dr James Stewart, one of Australia’s leading minds in plant-based medicine who provided a medical view about nerve pain and traditional treatments.

Dr Stewart is a true believer in focusing on overall health and always promotes a healthy lifestyle as the key. Click below to learn more about nerve pain and traditional and alternative treatments you may wish to discuss with a Doctor.

FAQS

Below you will find an independent telehealth clinic with a team of healthcare professionals who are trained and experienced in nerve pain treatment in Australia.

Book today if you wish to consult a healthcare professional who can help you on your journey to manage your nerve pain.

Click below to learn more about each condition, traditional treatments, and alternative options you may wish to consider.

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References:

1. Health Direct. Nerve pain (neuralgia). Available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/nerve-pain
2. NPS Medicine Wise. Nerve pain, explained. Available at https://www.nps.org.au/consumers/nerve-pain-explained
3. Pain Australia. Neuropathic (Nerve) Pain. Available at https://www.painaustralia.org.au/about-pain/forms-of-pain-2021/neuropathic-nerve-pain-2021
4. Better Health Channel. Neuralgia. Available at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/neuralgia