Nerves help you sense, feel, and move your body. Our nerves are located throughout our bodies, including your skin, organs and brain. 

The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (nerves of the brain and spine), and the peripheral nervous system (rest of the body). The main 2 types of nerves are sensory nerves and motor nerves. 

Neuropathic pain, nerve pain or nerve problems is a disturbance of the function of a nerve or a pathological change occurring in a nerve. One of the most commonly known is sciatica but nerve pain can affect any part of the body and feel equally as debilitating. 

 

Causes of nerve pain

• Diabetes
  
• Kidney problems
  
• Thyroid problems
  
• Having an immune system disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Drinking too much alcohol
  
• Cancer
  
• Certain inherited conditions that affect nerves
  
• Having HIV or AIDS
  
• Exposure to poisons
  
• Vitamin deficiencies
  

 

Symptoms of nerve pain

Most common symptoms are:

• Burning, shooting, stabbing pain
  
• Tingling and numbness, ‘’pins and needles’’ feeling
  
• A chronic sensation of feeling unpleasant or abnormal
  
• Evoked pain, such as being in cold temperatures, brushing your hair
  
• Spontaneous pain, or pain without a trigger
  
• Difficulty sleeping or resting
  
• Emotional problems as a result of chronic pain, loss of sleep
  
• Muscle weakness
  
• Lack of coordination and falling
  

 

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy is a valuable method that aims to ease the discomfort that is associated with nerve pain and is directed towards: 

1. Pain management – Massage, TENS, Acupuncture, Relaxation techniques, heat-ice therapy.
   
2. Muscle weakness – Passive stretches, hydrotherapy, massage, isometric- weights exercises.
   
3. Proprioception – Balance-Exercise ball, pilates.
   
4. Joint stiffness- massage, ultrasound.
   

 

Self management- tips

There are a number of natural treatments to help reduce symptoms and these are: Vitamins (vitamin B and D), Quit smoking (smoking affects your blood circulation), warm baths (increases the blood circulation), exercise (reduces blood sugar which slows down nerve damage), Meditation (lowers stress, decreases pain).

 

Get In Touch

If you are suffering from nerve problems, and would like to make an appointment with one of our physiotherapists and get a treatment programme tailored to you, then call  0161 833 3008 or email info@totalrestore.co.uk. We are located in the city centre in the Royal Exchange building just off St Ann’s Square.