6 Effective Nerve Pain Treatments
Nerve pain in the back or legs might get unnoticed by many. However, if it is hindering your daily activities, then it’s time for you to consider a treatment for nerve pain. Usually, a neuropathic pain occurs because the damaged nerves send wrong signals and the result of which is chronic pain. Due to the numbness, the patient may find activities such as typing, playing any musical instrument, tying a shoelace, etc.
You might feel that nerve pain is just frustrating, but to someone else, it might be devastating. Such pain may be a recognizable symptom of various conditions such as shingles, diabetes, etc. A few other issues that cause nerve pain are a stroke, heart disease, repetitive stress, hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, alcoholism, etc.
In some cases, the pain feels like pinpricks, burning, whereas to others it is like a sudden electric shock. No matter whatever the feeling is nerve pain has the capability of disrupting personal as well as professional life. According to studies, people who suffer from nerve pain show greater rates of anxiety, sleep problems, depression, etc. Symptoms of this pain vary from one person to another. If the case is severe, then nerve damage may also lead to paralysis and affect breathing, digestion, etc.
The treatment for nerve pain usually varies from person to person. It is because such treatment depends on specific factors such as the health of the patient, underlying cause, the risk of side effects as well as the cost behind it. Physicians try to diagnose and treat the underlying conditions that result in neuropathic pain and attempt to manage the symptoms by using generic treatment for nerve pain. Let’s take a look at the solutions that are available for this health issue.
Anticonvulsants
This drug was developed for the treatment of epilepsy. However, this drug also assists in controlling nerve pain. For increasing the efficiency of such drugs, they are combined with anti-depressants. Though anticonvulsants are beneficial in treatment for nerve pain, yet they are not always effective in treating all sorts of nerve pain. But, before undergoing any treatments, it is better to take the guidance of an experienced physician.
Topical treatments
A few topical treatments such as gels, lotions, patches, creams, etc. may ease the sensation to a certain extent. You can look for healing balms and use it whenever you sense a nerve sensation. However, such products work the best in those areas of pain which are isolated in particular areas of the skin.
Painkillers
If a person is suffering from severe pain or the reason behind the nerve pain is cancer, then the first choice for such patients is a powerful or strong painkiller. But, in the case of other types of nerve pain, a maximum number of doctors try pain relievers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants or anti-inflammatory at first. Opioids may have severe side- effects. Before taking the help of any random painkiller, it will be a wise decision to consult a physician. He or she will prescribe medications according to your needs and only after doing a thorough check-up.
Electrical stimulation
Several options for treatment for nerve pain utilizes electrical impulses for blocking all pain messages that the damaged nerves send. Some of them are RTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation), TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), etc. Both the abovementioned electrical impulses are painless and also noninvasive.
Complementary treatments
Alternative remedies like meditation, acupuncture, massage also help many people to get relief from the problem. Apart from these, dietary supplements are also available with the help of which the condition can be treated. So, if you are interested in such supplements, then discuss it with a doctor first.
Other techniques
Many cases are there when doctors prefer to recommend anesthetic injections for treating severe pain. In rare cases, surgery is also preferred for tackling the problem.
Apart from all sort of treatments, if you change your lifestyle a bit, then it might be of great help. Although bringing about some changes in your lifestyle may not be a treatment for nerve pain if you’re consistent in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, you can ease your discomfort to some extent. So, you need to exercise, quit smoking, eat healthy food and also practice relaxation techniques such as meditation to observe an improvement in the condition.