Nerve pain

Causes of nerve pain

Nerve pain can occur for many different reasons, which can be divided into two general categories:
Diseases (pathologies) in the body or mechanical pressure on a nerve outside the body.

Pathologies

Pathologies cover a wide range of diseases that can disrupt or damage our nerves in the body. Examples of this are:

• Nerve inflammation (neuropathy) – can occur due to, among other things, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and infections
• Shingles
• Sclerosis
• Blood clots or brain hemorrhage
• Cancer

Mechanical pressure

Mechanical pressure on a nerve occurs when a structure in the body presses on a nerve outside the body. Examples of this could be:

• Disc herniation
• Spinal stenosis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sciatica
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Trigeminal neuralgia

Source: Rigshospitalet.dk

Symptoms and signs of nerve pain

The symptoms of nerve pain are diverse, they can vary in intensity and duration, and they can be constant or come in waves. The most common symptoms include:

• Burning pain:
  Many people describe nerve pain as an intense burning sensation.

• Stinging or tingling sensations:
  It may feel like you are being pricked by needles or be a sensation of the skin tingling.

• Electric shocks:
  Some patients experience short, sharp electric shocks of pain.

• Numbness and sleeping sensation:
  Some patients also experience numbness, which can give a sleeping sensation in the affected areas.

• Loss of muscle strength
  Pressure on a nerve can in some cases also cause loss of muscle strength in the affected area.

Nerve pain differs significantly from other pain in the body, and can include all of these symptoms or just a few of them depending on where and how much a nerve is affected.

Diagnosing nerve pain

First and foremost, it is most important to rule out an underlying pathological cause for the nerve pain. Underlying diseases that can cause nerve pain will often also cause symptoms other than nerve pain. With underlying diseases, it is often seen that several nerves are affected, and that the patient thus experiences nerve pain in several places in the body. Both an osteopath and a doctor are aware of this and will always screen for underlying pathologies in nerve pain.

If there is no medical cause but rather mechanical pressure on a nerve, it will only cause symptoms in the area where the nerve goes. In cases of nerve pain, the practitioner will perform a wide range of tests to determine which nerve is affected and to what extent.
I praksis kunne dette være følgende tests: bevægelsestest, refleks test, test af følesans på huden, specifikke nervetest og styrketest af musklerne.

In very special cases, it may be relevant to have further examination in the form of a scan and/or nerve conduction test to determine the condition of the nerve.

Medical treatment of nerve pain

Treatment for nerve pain can vary depending on the cause and severity of the pain, so there are different treatment options depending on the underlying cause.

Nerve pain can be relieved with medication such as antiepileptic medication such as gabapentin or pregabalin. In some cases, pain is relieved with tricyclic antidepressants such as amitryptyline. Nerve pain differs significantly from other types of pain, which can be relieved with classic over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

It is important to talk to your GP about the best choice of medication for your pain if you need pain coverage.

Physiotherapy treatment of nerve pain

As part of a treatment, physiotherapy can also be beneficial in improving muscle strength and mobility of the affected area. In addition, a physiotherapist can help with understanding the pain and how to better manage it. While a doctor can help with pain relief and a physiotherapist can help maintain functional levels, an osteopath investigates the underlying causes of the nerve impingement.

How an osteopath treats the problem depends a lot on which nerve is affected and where the pressure is. The aim will be to reduce or remove the pressure on the nerve. This can be done by increasing the mobility of the surrounding structures, treating the nerve itself, but in some cases it may be necessary to work on a completely different part of the body; depending on the diagnosis. This is supplemented with advice and guidance about the problem.

The treatment of nerve pain is usually interdisciplinary and often a collaboration between the osteopath and the doctor to rule out underlying disease, ensure correct medication and the best treatment plan.

Prevention of nerve pain

Preventing nerve pain may be especially important for people at risk, such as those with diabetes. Maintaining good blood sugar control and following a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of developing nerve pain. It is also important to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as both of these factors can worsen nerve pain.

Regular exercise is generally important to prevent the risk of developing nerve pain. This includes daily walks, strength training, and cardio training. It is also important to avoid long periods of poor posture and sedentary work.

However, prevention will largely depend on your lifestyle and risk factors. Therefore, it is always best to discuss this with a doctor, physiotherapist or osteopath. Together, you can determine which measures are most beneficial in your situation to reduce the risk of developing or recurring nerve pain.

The impact of nerve pain on quality of life

Nerve pain can have a major impact on a person’s daily life. It is often described as very debilitating, as it can cause severe pain that is difficult to manage with traditional over-the-counter pain medications.

Additionally, nerve pain is often described as very diffuse and can be experienced in a variety of ways, as described in the previous section on symptoms. It often creates a lot of frustration and despair, which can have a negative impact on one’s mental health.