DMSO is a substance that allows absorption of other chemicals directly through the skin. It's used in the United States primarily in veterinary medicine, allowing the dosing of animals who can't be told to swallow. However, proponents of DMSO point out that it's used for human pain relief in many countries outside the U.S.
DMSO Basics
DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, is a byproduct of wood processing. Although in common use throughout Europe, Asia and South America, its medicinal use is severely restricted by the FDA. According to MayoClinic.com, animals given large doses of DMSO suffered no serious problems, although human subjects reported side effects including upset stomach, diarrhea and headaches.
Nerve Pain Basics
The trouble with nerve pain is that patients don't always experience the pain at the point that causes it. Nerve pain can be caused by damage to the nerve, inflammation of the nerve itself, or pressure on the nerve by other parts of the body -- often itself caused by inflammation.
DMSO and Pain
Dr. Stanley Jacob, a DMSO proponent working at the University of Oregon Health Science Center, notes that DMSO sees use as a pain reliever in many countries. According to Jacob, its application can be used to deliver pain medication topically to hurting areas. DMSO researcher Maya Muir reports research indicating that DMSO can directly reduce the sensitivity of pain receptors, and reduce inflammation in areas where it is applied.
Bottom Line
Research seems to indicate that DMSO, applied topically in the right area, may reduce nerve pain both as an anesthetic and by directly relieving some of the symptoms that cause nerve pain. However, DMSO is not currently approved by the FDA for this use, and other research suggests that side effects can be at least as unpleasant as the nerve pain itself.
Common Sense Caution
DMSO is a complex chemical with incompletely understood effects on the human body. You should check with a doctor before beginning any course of treatment, and this is doubly important when dealing with substances that may have serious side effects.
