Nerve pain (neuralgia) is pain caused by damage or disease of the power cables of the body. These power cables control your body’s communication network. The pain comes from problematic signaling from the power cables, almost like load shedding, it may work smoothly one moment and not at all the next.

Nerve pain feels like tooth ache, tooth ache is essentially nerve pain. it is also known as  neuralgia or neuropathic pain. All the weird and wonderful sensations you might feel self conscious to describe  (burning, pins & needles, numbness, ants crawling or water running) are caused by malfunctioning of your nerves.

Each person’s case is unique and we want to address your specific needs. If you would like us to investigate or provide some insight, we invite you to contact us by clicking the link below.

Neuropathic pain is caused by problems with your nerves (power cables), which communicates with your brain. These impulses (messages) can vary from numbness (no impulses) to severe burning (very active impulses). Something as ordinary as sheets on your foot, may be excruciating.

Nerve irritation most commonly occurs in the lower back, when nerves that exit the spinal canal are irritated by inflammation or friction. The friction between the nerve, muscle, joint and ligament irritates the power cables and causes swelling. This leads to a sharp, sudden burning or electrical type pain that runs down the leg(sciatica).  The nerve is irritated in the back, but you feel pain all the way down the leg.

Initial discomfort or tightness can progresses to pain. Experiencing pins & needles or numbness as it gets worse. Initially the nerve pain only comes on occasionally and relieves after a few minutes. This type of sudden, sharp pain comes and goes, only to return with specific movements.

Nerve Compression

Nerve root compression (pinched nerve) occurs when the nerve is compressed due to narrowing of the foramina (the path where the nerve exits the spine) or osteophytes (bony growths caused by arthritis). This may lead to constant pain, numbness and decreased muscle power.

The longer the nerve is compressed, the more distorted the feeling will be, until the nerve is totally compressed and no message can go to the brain, then your skin goes numb. If the compression on the nerve is not relieved, there could be permanent damage to the nerves.

Symptoms of nerve pain

• intermitted numbness
• tingling
• inability to control your muscles
• dull aches that come & go
• abnormal sensations

If you suffer from any of these you should give us a call:

1. Difficult to distinguish between Light touch (cotton wool stroked over the skin) and deep touch (compressing the skin in the area)
2. Struggle to distinguish between Sharp touch (skin pierced with a toothpick) Blunt (press with the back of a pencil)
3. Temperature: Difficult to distinguish between hot and cold temperatures.
4. Pins & needles when touching something
5. Numbness (“Dead” feeling over skin)

Electromyogram (EMG)

This is a test where needles are inserted into the muscles that the nerve supplies. It measures the electrical activity produced by these muscles. The electrical activity of the nerve will be tested when you contract and relax your muscles. This test can determine if there is any nerve damage.

Electroneuromyography (ENMG)

This test is performed by a Neurologist and is often referred to as ‘Nerve conduction studies’. It examines both the sensory (feeling) and the motor (ability to contract or relax muscles) function of the nerve. This test is able to show the weakening of the impulse traveling through the nerve. It is considered abnormal when the impulse travels slower, and weakens between 2 points (conduction velocity).

Ultrasound (Diagnostic)

An ultrasound can visualize the structures and the space around the nerve as well as swelling of the tendons, muscles, joints etc. We will compare the uninjured side to the painful side.