Nerve pain is caused by injury or damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which is the nervous system located outside of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system has two types of nerves: sensory nerves and motor nerves. The sensory nerves receive sensory stimuli like pain through mechanoreceptors and nociceptor fibers. The motor nerves then sends the signals to the muscles to stimulate movement. When these nerves are damaged, it results in limb dysfunction and severe pain. Nerve pain cannot be treated with over-the-counter pain medication.
Spread of Pain
Nerve pain can spread along the nerve path, affecting other areas of your body. For example, nerve pain originating in your foot can travel up your leg, and nerve pain that starts in your hands can spread along your arm. As the pain spreads, it can impair the function of that limb.
Sharp Pain
The pain experienced with nerve damage is described as sharp and severe. According to Dr. Ralph Rashbaum, author of the article "All About Neuropathy and Chronic Back Pain," the pain feels "shock-like, shooting, lightening-like or lancinating." In addition, nerve pain can also feel like a deep burning pain.
Change in Sensation
Some nerve pain patients may notice a change in sensation. Examples of sensation changes include persistent numbness, tingling and weakness. Since nerve pain is caused by damage to the nerve, it can lead to nerve wasting. Nerve wasting can eventually result in wasting of the muscle and limb disuse if left untreated.
Sleep Disturbances
The nerve pain does not subside, even at night. Some patients have problems sleeping when suffering from nerve pain. Dr. Rashbaum describes that bed sheets provoke stabbing, numbing pain in nerve pain patients. Some patients try switching to different sheets to reduce the pain.
