Nerve pain is complex and can be because of nerve damage, irritation, or destruction.

For some, it can feel like mildly bothersome pins and needles.

For others, the pain may be severe and nearly unbearable.

Woman experiencing neck pain

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Learning how to describe your nerve pain can help your healthcare provider more quickly diagnose and effectivelytreat your pain.

Learn to take note of what your pain feels like during your everyday life.

Consider keeping a pain journal so you have something to reference when talking with your practitioner.

Terminology to Know

Because nerve pain is unique, it has some medical buzzwords associated with it.

Do you feel nerve pain sensations when touched or is your pain seemingly spontaneous?

However, other medications may also be used to treat chronic nerve pain.

These includeNSAIDs, (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) andcorticosteroids.

This multi-modal treatment approach can keep nerve pain symptoms under better control.

Colloca L, Ludman T, Bouhassira D, et al.Neuropathic pain.Nat Rev Dis Primers.

2018;18(1):125-127. doi:10.1515/sjpain-2017-0155