By exposing the body to painful stimuli in a gradual way, desensitization therapy can help improve painful responses to touch experienced by individuals living with neuropathic pain.
When severe back pain 45 years ago rendered Cindy Perlin, LCSW, unable to function for more than three years and doctors were unable to help, she sought out biofeedback. She experienced, by her estimate, a 50% reduction in pain within a day.
More than 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. Although chronic pain is commonly defined as pain persisting more than three months, many still do not consider it to be a recognized medical condition, leading to stigmatization and a lack of treatment options for patients.
Diabetes is the number-one cause in the United States of neuropathy, which is damage to one or more nerves that results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and pain.
Throughout the day, our bodies generate lots of waste. When we sleep, our lymphatic system helps drain those waste products away so our bodies can function properly.
How far will people go to stop nerve pain? Well, there’s documented evidence that ancient Romans tried stepping on electric eels for that very purpose. Long before electricity was understood, it was being used as a therapy for treating pain.
Self-management is perhaps the most accessible, most affordable, and lowest-risk form of treatment for neuropathic pain.
Because of the complex nature of neuropathic pain, and its many causes, a wide variety of providers and specialists may be involved in managing this type of pain—including some you might not expect.
The treatment of neuropathic pain is not one-size-fits-all, and knowing where to start can be overwhelming.
“Horse tranquilizer,” “Special K,” and other misnomers. For much of its known existence, ketamine has been maligned and misunderstood. Discovered in the ’60s and used as a surgical anesthetic during the Vietnam War, ketamine is now garnering attention for its therapeutic properties when used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and neuropathic pain.
People living with neuropathic pain face an uphill battle in their efforts to achieve symptom relief, often requiring a combination of therapies when medication options are not as effective as patients and doctors would hope. Prescription medications are a common treatment for chronic pain and can provide marked pain relief when prescribed wisely. However, side effects are common and can deter some individuals from taking the appropriate dose, and the desired pain reduction sometimes falls short of expectations.
THE FOUR MAIN CAUSES OF NEUROPATHIC PAIN Disease: Many diseases can cause neuropathic pain, but 30% of cases are due to diabetes. Other diseases include complex regional pain syndrome, central…