Neuropathic Pain: What It Is and How to Manage It

Neuropathic pain — nerve pain — feels different from the usual aches. It can sting, burn, tingle, or feel like electric shocks. If you’ve tried regular painkillers and they don’t help, nerve pain is often the reason. This page gives clear, practical steps you can use right away: what causes it, common treatments, and simple self-care tips that actually help.

What causes neuropathic pain?

Nerve damage or irritation causes neuropathic pain. Common culprits include diabetes, shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), nerve compression (like sciatica), chemotherapy, and certain infections. Sometimes surgery or physical injury triggers it. The pattern of pain often follows a nerve path — for example, along a leg or in one side of the face.

Symptoms are specific: burning, electric shocks, numbness with stabbing pain, or increased sensitivity to light touch. You might notice pain that wakes you at night or pain from things that normally don’t hurt, like clothing on your skin.

How neuropathic pain is treated

Treatment usually mixes medicines, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Common prescription options are gabapentin and pregabalin (they calm overactive nerves), duloxetine and amitriptyline (certain antidepressants that reduce nerve pain), and topical lidocaine or capsaicin patches for localized problems. Opioids are not ideal for long-term nerve pain and are used cautiously.

Non-drug options matter a lot. Physical therapy can ease nerve compression and improve mobility. Nerve blocks or injections help some people. For severe, treatment-resistant cases, procedures like spinal cord stimulation or certain surgeries may be considered — those need specialist referral.

Self-care makes a real difference. Keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes. Stay active with low-impact exercise like walking or swimming. Use heat or cold packs where they help. Sleep hygiene and stress reduction (breathing exercises, short walks, or guided relaxation) often reduce pain intensity. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can change how pain affects daily life.

Watch for side effects from medicines: dizziness, sleepiness, or dry mouth are common with nerve-pain drugs. Start low and go slow with doses, and talk to your prescriber about any worries. Never stop medication abruptly without advice — some drugs need slow tapering.

When should you see a doctor? If pain starts suddenly, follows an injury, gets worse fast, or comes with weakness, numbness, fever, or loss of bladder/bowel control — see a clinician right away. If nerve pain limits daily life or sleep, ask for a referral to a neurologist or pain specialist.

Neuropathic pain can be stubborn, but many people find helpful combinations of treatments. Be proactive: track what makes pain better or worse, share that with your provider, and expect gradual gains rather than overnight fixes.