Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system itself, rather than ongoing tissue injury, often described as burning, shooting, stabbing or electric-shock-like.

Common causes include diabetes, shingles, nerve compression or injury, chemotherapy, stroke, and multiple sclerosis, all of which can damage or alter the function of nerves involved in pain signalling.

Symptoms include burning, tingling, shooting or electric-shock sensations, sometimes with increased sensitivity to touch or, conversely, numbness in the affected area, often worse at night.

Neuropathic pain itself isn't dangerous, but it can significantly affect sleep, mood and quality of life if not well managed, and it may be a marker of an underlying condition that needs its own assessment and treatment.

This depends on the underlying cause; pain from a reversible cause, such as a resolving nerve compression, may improve substantially, while pain from permanent nerve damage is generally managed long-term rather than cured.

Treatment typically involves specific medications such as certain antidepressants or anticonvulsants rather than standard painkillers, alongside physical therapies, and for persistent cases, more specialised pain management approaches.

See a doctor if pain has neuropathic qualities and isn't responding to initial treatment. A private neurologist or pain specialist can typically arrange assessment within about two weeks.