Pain Physicians NY (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx NYC) is one of the first practices in New York to offer an alternative treatment for nerve pain.
Brooklyn Pain Physicians are internationally recognized as one of the best nerve pain management specialists and neurologists in Brooklyn, NY.
What is a Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain, also known as neuralgia, can be a symptom of various medical conditions, including shingles, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, surgery, and cancer. It affects your life quality, interfering with your ability to work and enjoy daily activities. Whether it is like a burning sensation, sudden shocks of electricity and even pinpricks, it can limit your ability to get around. If you are suffering from nerve pain, regardless of what is causing it, you will more likely have sleep problems, anxiety, and even depression.
What Causes Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain can develop when due to injuries, deformation, or prolonged pressure.
Common causes of neuralgia include:
- Neck Sprain: Stretched or torn ligaments due to trauma or overuse.
- Whiplash: Sudden jerking motion causing neck injury, often from car accidents.
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Compressed nerve causing radiating pain to shoulders, arms, or fingers.
- Herniated Disc: Bulging discs pressing on nerves.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of neck joints leading to pain and stiffness.
- Spondylosis: Age-related spinal changes like bone spurs and disc degeneration.
- Pinched Nerve: Nerve compression often from herniated discs or bone spurs.
- Neck Fracture: Break in a cervical vertebra, usually due to trauma.
- Ilioinguinal Nerve Pain: Pain originating from the ilioinguinal nerve, often causing discomfort in the lower abdomen and groin area.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Chronic pain condition affecting a limb after injury.
- Genitofemoral Nerve Pain: Pain from the genitofemoral nerve, affecting the lower abdomen and upper thigh.
- Meralgia Paresthetica: Numbness or pain in the outer thigh due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Nerve damage due to diabetes, often affecting extremities.
- Pudendal Neuralgia: Chronic pelvic pain originating from the pudendal nerve.
- Intercostal Neuralgia: Pain along the intercostal nerves located between the ribs.
Damaged nerves can often malfunction. They may become unresponsive, leading to numbness, or send out excessive and inaccurate pain signals.
What Are the Signs of Neuralgia?
The symptoms of nerve inflammation or damage can be influenced by the affected nerve. Neuralgia can cause pain ranging from mild to severe. Back pain might be a sign of a pinched nerve in the spine, and pressure on the sciatic nerve can lead to pain that travels down one leg, commonly referred to as sciatica.
Neuralgia typically presents with distinct and intense symptoms, including:
- Sharp, Shooting Pain: Often described as stabbing or burning, following the path of the affected nerve.
- Sudden Onset: Pain can come on suddenly and may be triggered by touch or movement.
- Localized Discomfort: Pain is usually confined to a specific area, corresponding to the nerve involved.
- Increased Sensitivity: The affected area may become extremely sensitive to touch, even light pressure.
- Muscle Weakness: Muscles supplied by the affected nerve may feel weak or paralyzed.
- Spasms: Involuntary muscle contractions or spasms in the affected area.
These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional at Pain Physicians NY for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
What Doctor Should I See for Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain is usually treated by a neurologist. A neurologist, commonly called a “nerve specialist,” is a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Their expertise covers a broad range of nervous system diseases. They are well-equipped to handle various types of nerve pain, including neuropathy, radiculopathy, and neuralgia.
In some cases, a pain specialist or pain management doctor might also be helpful. These doctors focus on managing chronic pain and can offer a range of treatments, from medications to targeted injections.
Patient Experience
What is the Best Treatment for Nerve Pain?
The treatment for nerve pain is tailored to the specific cause, location, and severity of the pain. The aim is to treat any underlying diseases and to relieve pain while enhancing function.
Here are some common treatment options:
Medications
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can help manage mild pain.
- Topical Painkillers: Creams and ointments containing capsaicin or lidocaine can provide relief when applied to the skin.
- Prescription Medications: Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and certain opioids may be prescribed to alleviate nerve pain.
Therapies
- Physical Therapy: Exercises and stretches can help improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrical impulses are used to reduce pain signals sent to the brain.
Lifestyle Changes
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve overall health and reduce pain.
- Healthy Diet: Ensuring proper nutrition, including vitamins and minerals, can support nerve health.
- Avoiding Alcohol: Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can prevent further nerve damage.
Alternative Treatments
- Acupuncture: Some people find relief through acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body.
- Massage Therapy: Can help relax muscles and improve circulation.
Surgical Options
- Nerve Decompression Surgery: In cases where nerve compression is causing pain, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerve.
Complementary treatments may be combined with medication to reduce pain. If nerve damage is caused by diabetes, effectively controlling blood sugar can help alleviate symptoms. Consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your condition.
The most advanced pain management center, Brooklyn pain management doctors and specialists at Pain Physicians NY offers a unique, individualized approach to manage your nerve pain. Our neurologists use the most effective pain management and treatment options to treat facial pain, ilioinguinal nerve, shingles, genitofemoral nerve pain, meralgia paresthetica, post nephrectomy pain, diabetic neuropathy, neuralgia as well as nerve-related syndromes.
Alternative treatments like medical marijuana and ketamine infusions are also available when conventional treatment methods don’t provide the desired pain relief.