The sensory, motor and autonomic nerves in your different nervous systems are crucial for body communication, movement and sensation. When damage occurs to your nerves, normal functions can be interrupted, making it difficult for you to do everyday activities. Pain, along with numbness, tingling and muscle weakness, can be an indicator of possible damage. However, treatments that are used to relieve the pain of nerve damage can also help with improving your nerve health.
Step 1
Use medication to relieve the pain. Depending on the severity of the pain, your doctor may recommend prescription medication. Examples include anticonvulsants and antidepressants, which can help reduce the symptoms. Gabapentin, phenytoin and carbamazepine are types of medications that can be used to reduce the stabbing pain. If swelling and pressure are more prevalent, your doctor may inject you with a dose of corticosteriods. However, you can also use over-the-counter medications like analgesics, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and topical medications like lidocaine.
Step 2
Undergo surgery. Surgery is an potential option to relieve pressure on the nerve if a trapped nerve is found to be the cause of the pain. Surgery may also be recommended if you have difficulty moving in the area of nerve pain or if it is possible that the nerve is wasting away.
Step 3
Try physical therapy. Not only does physical therapy help reduce nerve pain, but it can also keep your muscles strong. This can be an ideal situation if the affected nerve is in a crucial limb, like the ulnar nerve in the arm, that is required for everyday activities. A physical therapist will have you do specific exercises with or without weights; the level of difficulty will depend on the level of pain and your mobility.
Step 4
Stimulate your nerves electrically. If you choose not to use medications to relieve your nerve pain, you can use a procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation works by sending a gentle electrical current through electrodes to the injured nerve. The electrical current stimulates the nerve, resulting in the release of endorphins, which are your body's painkiller.
Step 5
Have a massage. Complementary medicine, like massage, acupuncture and relaxation techniques can help decrease your pain, as well as any mental stress. Often, complementary medicine will be combined with other treatments to improve the effectiveness of pain relief.
