Are you suffering from nerve pain? Meet with the nerve care specialists in New York City to start your recovery.
Yale Medicine estimates nerve pain affects more than 20 million Americans, often severely degrading their quality of life with what can be a chronic, debilitating condition.
Nerve pain can affect any part of the body, limiting movement and making daily life difficult for sufferers. Though you may have serious concerns about the disorder, it is possible to find some relief with the right treatment.
Whether you’re local to us in New York, or elsewhere, you’ll need the help of an experienced orthopedic surgeon to guide you through treatment.
What is nerve pain?
Nerve pain is the result of damage to the nerves in the body. Also known as neuropathic pain or neuralgia, nerve pain feels different from a sore or pulled muscle.
The condition can have a range of causes, including:
- Trauma from injuries or accidents.
- Conditions like diabetes.
- Vitamin deficiencies (like Vitamin B12).
- Symptoms of autoimmune diseases, like lupus or arthritis.
- Tumors pressing on the nerves.
- Poor blood circulation.
- Heavy alcohol use.
- Certain medications.
Symptoms of nerve pain
Symptoms of nerve pain range from sharp, shooting pains to numbness or a feeling of pins and needles in a limb.
The pain is often accompanied by a burning sensation and a general feeling of weakness in an arm or leg. Some sufferers might experience worsening pain at night or when at rest. In the most severe cases, people can lose feeling in the affected nerves entirely.
Nerve pain often originates in one part of the body but is felt in another area, usually an extremity like an arm, foot, hand, or leg. For example, a herniated disc or pinched nerve in the spine can lead to nerve pain, but the pain may manifest in the leg as pain or weakness.
This can make pinpointing the exact cause of the nerve pain difficult, but experienced orthopedists can make the right diagnosis and steer you to the right treatment.
Treating nerve pain in New York
Finding the best nerve pain care in New York begins with a diagnosis. Your provider may perform a nerve conduction test, which evaluates the speed with which electrical impulses move through the nerves. This test can show how damaged the nerves are.
An electromyography (EMG) may also be done to assess how your muscles respond to nerve signals from the brain.
If you’re suffering from nerve pain, you’ll begin a treatment regimen. In underlying causes, such as vitamin deficiency or diabetes, treating the condition can relieve or lessen the nerve pain.
Fortunately, most therapies for nerve pain are non-invasive and typically involve a combination of four main methods:
- Physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you on activities to increase muscle strength and flexibility. These movements can ease nerve pain and improve your range of motion so you can resume everyday activities without discomfort.
- Manual stretching. Stiff muscles and tendons can often heighten nerve pain. However manual stretching by a physical therapist can unlock those stiff tissues by manually manipulating the muscles. Soft tissue massage can also be effective in nerve pain care.
- TENS. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is another non-invasive treatment option. For this treatment, sticky pads or electrodes will be placed on your skin. The pads attach to a battery-operated TENS machine, which blocks pain signals to the brain. Not only does TENS relieve pain, but it can stimulate the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, too.
- Balance and coordination exercises. People suffering from peripheral neuropathy, which involves nerve damage outside the brain or spinal cord, often feel unsteady on their feet due to weakness and pain in the extremities.
Diabetes is a major cause of peripheral neuropathy. However, patients can be helped by exercises focused on balance and coordination so they can avoid falls.
Other treatments may include rest, hot and cold therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, prolonged use of opioids is not recommended due to the possibility of addictive side effects. For treatment, look for a specialist who has the expertise and experience to diagnose and treat nerve pain using a range of methods.
Finding a Nerve Care Pain Specialist in New York
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, we pride ourselves on treating all types of pain, including nerve pain. One of our specialists will diagnose your nerve pain and put you on the path to recovery.
Nerve pain can be successfully treated so you can live an active, pain-free lifestyle. Contact us today for a consultation.
