Treatment for Neuralgia

Neuralgia refers to nerve pain caused by irritation, damage, or dysfunction of one or more nerves anywhere in the body. It often presents as severe, persistent, or shock-like pain, and can significantly impact your quality of life. At The Pain Experts of Arizona, our team helps patients throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Mesa find relief through personalized treatment plans designed to target the underlying causes of neuralgia.

Neuralgia Overview

Neuralgia can arise from various conditions, including infections, nerve compression, and chronic diseases like diabetes or multiple sclerosis. In some cases, the exact cause remains unknown. While there is no universal cure for neuralgia, many patients achieve meaningful symptom relief with appropriate medical care.

Our pain specialists use the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to manage neuralgia and restore function.

Symptoms of Neuralgia

Neuralgia symptoms can vary depending on the nerves involved but generally share several common features. These may include:

• Sharp, stabbing, or burning pain

• Muscle weakness, twitching, or atrophy

• Numbness or tingling sensations

• Extreme sensitivity to touch or temperature

• Chronic aching or shooting pains in a localized area

Certain types of neuralgia present with distinct symptoms:

Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Pain during facial activities like chewing, speaking, or brushing teeth

• Intense spasms of pain across the cheeks, jaw, teeth, or forehead

• Pain typically localized to one side of the face

Postherpetic Neuralgia

• Burning, aching, or stabbing pain following a shingles outbreak

• Lasting pain for three months or longer after the rash resolves

• Sensitivity to light touch and lingering numbness

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

• Stabbing pain in the throat, tongue, tonsils, and ear

• Pain triggered by swallowing, sneezing, or talking

Occipital Neuralgia

• Dull, throbbing, or stabbing pain at the back of the head

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in Gilbert or surrounding areas, consulting a pain doctor early can prevent complications and improve outcomes.

Diagnosing Neuralgia

Diagnosis begins with a thorough review of your symptoms and medical history. Keeping a journal detailing when your pain occurs, its intensity, and any triggers can be extremely helpful for your pain specialist.

Tests used to confirm a diagnosis may include:

• Neurological examinations to assess nerve function

• Blood tests to detect underlying infections or diseases

• MRI scans to view potential nerve compression or tumors

• Nerve conduction studies to measure nerve signal strength and speed

Accurate diagnosis allows the team at our pain clinic to customize your treatment and address the root causes of your neuralgia.

Causes of Neuralgia

Neuralgia can be linked to several underlying conditions and contributing factors, including:

• Aging and natural degeneration of nerves

• Infections such as shingles (leading to postherpetic neuralgia) or Lyme disease

• Diabetes, which damages peripheral nerves through high blood sugar levels

• Multiple sclerosis, causing deterioration of the nerve coverings

• Chronic kidney disease, impacting nerve health

• Nerve compression from bone, ligaments, blood vessels, or tumors

• Trauma or injury directly damaging nerves

• Medications like certain cancer treatments or antibiotics

In Phoenix, many neuralgia cases we see at The Pain Experts of Arizona involve nerve pressure due to age-related spinal changes or diabetes complications.

Types of Neuralgia

There are several recognized types of neuralgia based on the affected nerves:

• Trigeminal Neuralgia – Facial nerve pain triggered by simple daily activities

• Postherpetic Neuralgia – Persistent pain following a shingles infection

• Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia – Pain impacting the throat, tonsils, and tongue

• Occipital Neuralgia – Pain originating from the occipital nerves at the back of the head

Each type requires a specific treatment strategy to achieve optimal relief.

Neuralgia Treatment Options

At The Pain Experts of Arizona, we focus on evidence-based, non-surgical treatments whenever possible to manage neuralgia symptoms. Options may include:

Medication Management

• Antidepressants and anticonvulsants to modulate nerve signals

• Topical creams containing capsaicin

• Short-term narcotic pain medications for severe cases

• Botox injections for targeted nerve-related pain

Nerve Block Injections

Nerve blocks can provide immediate and sometimes long-lasting relief by interrupting pain signals. These are often highly effective for trigeminal or occipital neuralgia.

Physical Therapy

Stretching, strengthening, and desensitization exercises help patients regain mobility and minimize chronic pain, particularly useful for patients in Scottsdale and Mesa.

Surgery

In rare cases where conservative measures fail, surgical options may be considered to relieve nerve compression or sever damaged nerve pathways.

Preventive Measures

For patients over 50, receiving the Shingrix vaccine can help prevent shingles and, by extension, postherpetic neuralgia.

If you’re managing diabetes, keeping blood sugar levels under control is crucial in preventing diabetic neuralgia.

Facts About Neuralgia

• Trigeminal neuralgia affects women more frequently than men, especially those over the age of 50.

• Postherpetic neuralgia is one of the most common complications of shingles.

• Early diagnosis and intervention improve the chances of successful treatment and minimize long-term complications.

• Neuralgia can significantly impact emotional health, making support groups and counseling important resources for patients.

Neuralgia may be a lifelong condition for some, but with proper management, it is possible to dramatically improve daily functioning and overall quality of life.

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Contact The Pain Experts of Arizona Today

If nerve pain is interfering with your life, relief is closer than you think. A pain doctor at The Pain Experts of Arizona can help diagnose and treat neuralgia with a customized plan that fits your needs. Serving patients across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Mesa, we are committed to restoring your comfort and confidence.

Call us today at 480-950-9393 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward feeling better.

The Pain Experts of Arizona – Your Partners in Pain Relief and Recovery.

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