Neuropathic pain refers to the sharp, throbbing, or burning pain that occurs when there is damage to the peripheral nerves— the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord that are responsible for controlling motor coordination, movement, and sensation. Neuropathic pain is often accompanied by numbness, tingling sensation, and/or muscle weakness in the extremities.
If left untreated, neuropathic pain can progress to total loss of sensation, which indicates that there is irreversible damage to your peripheral nerves. At this point, you could have a cut on your foot and not know it which could get infected, fester, lead to sepsis, and eventually to an amputation.
Read on to learn more about neuropathic pain, particularly its various potential causes and the treatment options available for it.
Potential Causes of Neuropathic Pain
There are over a hundred conditions that are associated with neuropathic pain. Diabetes has been shown to be one of the most common causes, accounting for about 30 percent of neuropathy cases.
Other causes of neuropathic pain include the following:
- Cancer treatment- with chemotherapy drugs or radiation
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Disorders of the central nervous system (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Shingles – a viral infection that causes painful rashes
- Nerve compression- (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome and spinal nerve compression)
- Some benign tumors
- Thyroid problems
- Vitamin deficiency
Treatment Options Available for Neuropathic Pain
The type of treatment you need will depend on the specific cause of your neuropathic pain.
Anticonvulsants and antidepressants are considered the mainstay of treatment for neuropathic pain. In cases of severe nerve compression, your doctor may recommend surgery to prevent further nerve damage and other potentially serious complications. However, it is important to keep in mind that these treatments are not without risks.
If you’re in search of a safe and proven-effective alternative, visit us here at NIVA Health. We have our own Neuropathy Program, through which we recommend Sanexas therapy after a comprehensive evaluation of your condition.
Sanexas therapy involves the use of electrical signals at different wavelengths to produce a harmonic resonant vibration in your nerve cell membranes and the tissues surrounding them. The vibration is what prompts the cells in the area affected by the nerve damage to repair themselves. With its capability to tackle the source of neuropathic pain, Sanexas therapy holds the potential to yield sustainable results, unlike medications that only provide symptom relief.
Your doctor may recommend multiple (usually 6 to 15) treatment sessions for the best results. Depending on your specific condition, its severity, and your overall health, you may start noticing improvements after your sixth session.
To learn more about our Neuropathy Program, schedule a consultation with one of our physicians today. Call us at our location near you, or simply fill out this form. We also have offices in Jacksonville and Melbourne, FL; Manalapan, NJ; Naperville, IL; Wixom, MI; and Woodstock, GA.
