How we approach neuropathic pain at DFW Interventional Pain Institute
Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by damaged nerves that can result from various medical conditions such as diabetes, shingles, cancer, autoimmune diseases and injuries. It's sometimes difficult to treat because conventional pain medications are often not effective for neuropathic pain. If you are experiencing neuropathic pain, it is critical to seek the help of a pain management specialist, and this blog post may be able to help answer some questions you may have about neuropathic pain.
What is neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain is often described as a burning, electric or stabbing sensation in the affected parts of the body. It can be continuous or intermittent and can be flared up by touch or even exposure to hot or cold temperature. Neuropathic pain arises from nerve damage and becomes chronic when the central nervous system and brain establish a pain memory instead of suppressing the signal. This type of pain can lead to sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety and decreased mobility.
What are the typical symptoms of neuropathic pain?
The most common symptoms of neuropathic pain are described as burning, tingling, pins and needles, numbness and shooting pain. Patients with neuropathic pain often have allodynia, a hypersensitivity to light touch, and/or hyperalgesia, an exaggerated sensitivity to painful stimuli. Neuropathic pain can sometimes be associated with muscle weakness or loss of sensation.
Patients with neuropathic pain often have difficulty performing daily activities and can suffer from poor quality of life. This is why it's critical to work with a pain management specialist as early as possible in order to increase that quality of life and get the patient back to enjoying their normal routines.
How does Dr. Edrick Lopez treat neuropathic pain?
At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, our pain management specialist, Dr. Edrick Lopez, specializes in interventional techniques to address chronic pain such as neuropathic pain. Dr. Lopez uses a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to manage neuropathic pain, including nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation and pain medications. He also offers regenerative medicine therapies such as stem cell injections and PRP to promote natural healing and restoration of nerve function.
When you come in for your first appointment, Dr. Lopez will get an overview of your current medical history and run any diagnostic tests that might be applicable to understanding your specific pain. Then, our team will work with you to development a pain management plan that's individual to you and can work with your lifestyle. We can also answer any questions you may have that are unique to your experience.
What other treatments can be used for neuropathic pain?
In addition to interventional techniques and regenerative medicine therapies, there are other treatments that are sometimes used for neuropathic pain. These include antidepressants, anticonvulsants and topical pain medications. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can also be helpful in reducing neuropathic pain symptoms and improving mobility.
In some cases, working with a therapist or counselor who has an understanding of pain management can help alleviate some pain or stress related to neuropathic pain. If the neuropathic pain isn't too sensitive to touch, massage therapy and/or acupuncture can also be affective. The important thing is to work with your pain management doctor to identify an individual strategy that works for you and can be maintained as part of your daily life.
When should you consider seeing a pain management specialist for neuropathic pain?
If you are experiencing neuropathic pain, we'd recommend seeking the help of a pain management doctor as early as possible. If your primary care physician has not been able to manage your symptoms effectively, it's time to seek the services of a pain specialist. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we specialize in treating chronic pain conditions such as neuropathic pain. We work closely with our patients to establish an effective treatment plan to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
DFW Interventional Pain Institute can help if you're experiencing chronic neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain can be debilitating and greatly affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we approach this kind of chronic pain using different treatment modalities such as interventional techniques, regenerative medicine therapies and multi-disciplinary approaches. Dr. Edrick Lopez and our staff have the expertise and experience to help you manage your neuropathic pain symptoms and achieve a better quality of life. If you're experiencing neuropathic pain, please don't hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment.
