A number of different medical conditions can cause nerve pain.You may suffer from chronic nerve pain because of diabetes, or you may have a pinched or irritated nerve from an injury.There are ways to help and heal chronic nerve pain, and there is also a way to heal acute pain completely.To heal your nerve pain, treat the underlying cause or medical condition, care for pinched nerves conservatively and choose the appropriate medication or treatment for your type of pain.
Step 1: Rest until it doesn't hurt.
Rest is the best way to heal a pinched nerve.Do not engage in activities that cause the injury.The most common type of pinched nerve is sciatic.The pain can start in your buttock or upper thigh and run down the length of your leg.If you don't notice improvement after a few days of rest, you should get evaluated by a medical professional.
Step 2: A brace or a splint can be used.
If you have a pinched nerve, you may need to use a device.It is possible to rest the area and allow the nerve to heal.You can ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist.There are orthodontists who specialize in bones, muscles, and nerve pain.Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive use of the wrist.This kind of nerve pain can be treated with a wrist splint.
Step 3: A physical therapist can be consulted.
It is important to not cause the same problem in the future if you have pinched, stretched, and irritated nerves.Ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist.They can teach you exercises to strengthen your muscles.Do your exercises according to the instructions.If you follow their advice, you can alter the activity that irritates the nerve.
Step 4: Appropriate exercises can be done to ease sciatic pain.
In addition to the exercises your physical therapist suggests, you can strengthen your body to alleviate sciatic nerve pressure.Ask your doctor or therapist if you can do safe exercises to strengthen your core, back, and hips.
Step 5: Apply the cream.
Capsaicin is found in peppers.It provides a warming sensation when used in cream.You can get capsaicin cream at your pharmacy.It's a good idea to rub it over the area where you have nerve pain.You might feel a burning sensation when you apply the cream.If you experience severe burning, itching, or a rash, stop using the product.
Step 6: Put on a patch.
Theocaine numbs the area it touches.If you have nerve pain, you can get a lidocaine patch from your pharmacy and apply it to it.It may make you sleepy or dizzy.
Step 7: When you're pregnant, change your habits.
During pregnancy, sciatic pain is common.If you have burning nerve pain down the back of your leg, it may be caused by pressure on your sciatic nerve from the baby.Once you deliver the baby, try to modify your lifestyle and movements to alleviate pain.Lie on your side.If you have nerve pain in your left leg, lie on the right side.Don't lift heavy things.Don't stand up for long periods of time.Lift one foot and rest it on something.Try swimming.Cold packs or heating packs can be put on the sore area.
Step 8: Weight loss can be used to treat the compression of the spine.
Nerve pain can be caused by a herniated disk in your spine.The location of the pain depends on where your spine is squeezed.Maintaining a healthy weight is important if you have a back problem.A healthy diet low in fat and sugar can help you with your pain.
Step 9: Try electrical stimulation.
If you have nerve pain, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about electrical stimulation.It can be helpful for nerve problems.You can use a TENS machine for 30 minutes a day for a month to see if it works.
Step 10: Have the disk repaired.
You may need to have surgery to heal your nerve pain.A spine surgeon may be able to fix your injured spine, relieve pressure on your spine and improve your nerve pain.Talk to your doctor to find out if surgery is right for you.After months of conservative treatment, surgery may help for carpal tunnel syndrome or pinched nerve pain.
Step 11: Take care of your blood sugar.
Diabetes can cause nerve pain in your hands and feet.If you have high blood sugar, you need to control it.If you manage your diabetes, you may be able to prevent or minimize nerve pain.If you have diabetes, ask your doctor to test your blood sugar.The safest and easiest way to prevent nerve pain from diabetes is to make diet and lifestyle changes.
Step 12: You should treat your shingles.
If you have ever had chickenpox, you can get shingles, which can cause burning nerve pain later in life.You should see your doctor if you have shingles.They can help you with your symptoms.Your nerve pain will usually go away if you have shingles.The doctor may give you a drug to speed up the healing process.They can give you a medicine to help with your pain.There is a rash of blisters that can cause pain, itching or burning.It occurs on one side of your body, and is usually located over your ribs.If you are over 60 years old, you should get the vaccine.It can help prevent shingles.
Step 13: It's a good idea to take medication to treat your illness.
Flare-ups of Herpes can cause nerve pain.It's a good idea to talk to your doctor about taking acyclovir or another antiviral medication.
Step 14: Try to improve nerve pain from treatment.
Some drugs used to treat cancer can cause nerve pain.Ask your doctor if you can use acetyl-l-carnitine to improve nerve pain.Side effects of nausea and vomiting are possible.
Step 15: If you have HIV, treat it with medication.
Many HIV patients have nerve pain.Initially, this pain can be felt in the hands and/or feet.Anti-seizure and antidepressants can be used to reduce nerve pain caused by HIV.
Step 16: Ask your doctor if you should take anti-seizure medications.
Some types of nerve pain can be treated with anti-seizure medicines.Discuss your options with your doctor.Gabapentin and pregabalin are less likely to cause side effects than older medicines.Anticonvulsants can be used to treat injuries to the spine.
Step 17: Discuss the use of carbamazepine for facial nerve pain.
Some types of nerve pain can be treated with an anti-seizure medication called carbamazepine.Discuss with your doctor if this medication is appropriate for you.It can cause side effects.There is a nerve problem called trigeminal neuralgia.The nerve pain on one side of your face is caused by this.
Step 18: Discuss taking an antidepressants with your doctor.
Discuss your options with your doctor if you are considering taking antidepressants.It may be possible to improve pain.They can cause dry mouth, blurry vision, and a hard time urinating.Diabetes can cause nerve pain in your hands and feet.
Step 19: It is possible to try pain medications.
Over-the-counter pain medicine can help with mild nerve pain.Ibuprofen or naproxen is a non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug.If you have any medical conditions that affect your organs, talk to your doctor first.For severe pain that isn't relieved by OTC medicine, you should ask your doctor for a referral to a Pain Management specialist.You can be prescribed stronger medication, like Tramadol or Hydrocodone.Opioid pain medications should only be used for a short period of time.They can become addictive.
Step 20: There is an injection for a corticosteroid.
An injection with a steroid may be able to help with your nerve pain.It calms pain and relieves inflammation.If you have a pinched nerve, ask your doctor about it.It is not helpful for nerve pain caused by medical conditions.You may be able to take a steroid pill, but it can cause more side effects.
Step 21: If medical marijuana is legal in your state, try it.
Studies show that medical marijuana can be used to relieve neuropathy.If it's legal in the state you live in and other treatment options haven't worked for you, consider asking your doctor about taking medical marijuana to ease your nerve pain.