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Health

Nerve pain

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Nerve pain is medically called neuralgia. The disease affects the peripheral nerves.

Reasons for its appearance:

  • inflammation of the nerve;
  • compression of nerves by connective tissue;
  • pressure from damaged muscles;
  • disc prolapse;
  • herniated disc;
  • hypothermia;
  • poor posture;
  • infectious agents.

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Types and symptoms of neuralgia

Different parts of the human body are susceptible to neuralgia. Wherever nerves are located, there is a risk of their compression, pinching and damage. Nerve pain is divided into types:

  • trigeminal neuralgia - a strong, electric shock-like pain that pierces the lower part of the face, sometimes radiating to the eye area;
  • intercostal - pain encircles the chest. Factors influencing the appearance of pain: colds, hypothermia, injuries, pulmonary or infectious diseases, salt deposits;
  • sciatic nerve neuralgia - characterized by a variety of painful sensations (from "pins and needles" to numbness of the limbs and "shooting pain");
  • neuralgia of the occipital zone - provokes headaches radiating to the eye area. Can be caused by injuries, gout, inflamed vessels, diabetes, disc deformations, spinal tumors. Pain is usually long-lasting and localized with burning or tingling;
  • migraine neuralgia - headache that spreads in a "bundle" from the temple to the ear, jaw area, neck. Characterized by alternating appearance and attenuation of attacks during the day. The appearance may occur during conversation, hypothermia, eating.

Trigeminal Nerve Pain

Pain during inflammation of the trigeminal nerve occurs for the following reasons:

  • irritation of the nerve due to sclerotic changes in the arteries and vessels;
  • the occurrence of scarring of the brain stem;
  • formation of meningioma, neurinoma (brain tumor);
  • the presence of bacterial or viral infections (herpes, smallpox);
  • Neuritis of the nerve is a dysfunction of the peripheral nerve caused by pathogenic microorganisms, alcohol or heavy metal poisoning, endocrine system diseases, hypothermia.

Women aged 50-69 are at particular risk. Young patients suffer from pain due to inflammation of the trigeminal nerve due to sclerotic changes in the body. Unfortunately, trigeminal nerve pain cannot be cured. Doctors can only reduce the pain syndrome.

The nature of pain in trigeminal neuralgia

Sensitivity of the facial area is provided by the trigeminal nerve, which is divided into three branches: mandibular, maxillary or zygomatic and ocular. Pain in the trigeminal nerve is considered the most excruciating. Painful sensations are concentrated in the lower facial or jaw areas, there are manifestations of pain above the eye, around the nose. Most often, pain with inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is observed in one half of the face, appears as unexpected shooting blows, lasts up to two minutes and repeats during the day. Pain with trigeminal neuralgia, corresponding to the orbital area covers the eye, forehead, temporal zone. Pain in the maxillary area radiates to the upper jaw, lip or cheek. Pain in the mandibular nerve - accordingly to the lower jaw, lip and cheek. The work of the glands can be disrupted, which leads to the appearance of mucus from the nasal passages, lacrimation.

How to relieve trigeminal nerve pain?

Today, pain from trigeminal neuralgia is treated using the following methods:

  • conservative;
  • surgical;
  • folk;
  • innovative.

Let's consider each method separately. Conservative treatment means drug intervention. The most effective drug is "carbamazepine". The dosage of tablets per day at the beginning of the course is 200-400 mg, then the dose increases from 600 to 800 mg. After active treatment and pain relief, the minimum effective dosage is prescribed. For elderly people, the initial amount of the drug is 100 mg twice a day. The tablets are washed down with water regardless of food intake. "Finlepsin" and "Tegretol" are considered analogs of "carbamazepine". Drug treatment causes the body to become accustomed to the tablets. Long-term use of drugs leads to changes in the functioning of the liver, kidneys, respiratory organs, cardiac and digestive systems, and mental activity. Therefore, during treatment, it is important to be monitored by the attending physician and take a blood test showing the functioning of all organs. Anticonvulsant drugs are also widely used - "phenibut", "baclofen", "pantogam". "Glycine" tablets are prescribed as an auxiliary treatment, inhibiting some processes of the brain and reducing nervous tension. Medicines, their dosages are prescribed only by a doctor.

In cases where medications are ineffective, surgical treatment is used. Surgical intervention is divided into percutaneous and craniotomy. Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve root is a surgical intervention that requires the surgeon to have special equipment and qualifications. The technique is prohibited for treating elderly people, with brain problems. Among the complications of the postoperative period, brain stem infarctions are distinguished, which can lead to death. Muscle paralysis, deafness, ataxic conditions, cerebral hemorrhages, and lateral nerve dysfunction are noted in 15% of those operated on.

To the question: "How to relieve trigeminal nerve pain?" traditional medicine has its own answers. The simplest recipe: mix two parts of triple cologne with one part of vinegar. It is important to follow the rule - pour vinegar into cologne, and not vice versa. Rub the sore area with a slightly warmed up product in a water bath several times a day. It is good to apply fir oil to the sore area at night, and stick a mustard plaster on the neck on the sore side.

Pain in the trigeminal nerve can be relieved by grated beetroot, folded into a bandage and inserted into the ear canal. The main condition is to fill the ear canal with beetroot juice. The same effect is achieved by instilling drops into the ear. Lotions from grated horseradish root also help.

The pain of trigeminal neuralgia goes away if you apply three geranium leaves to the sore spot, cover them with a flax rag and wrap them in woolen cloth. You can make a rubbing from birch buds - take 3 tablespoons of freshly opened buds and 2 glasses of vodka. Keep the infusion for two weeks in a dark place.

Doctors have developed the latest radiosurgery techniques to solve the difficult problem of how to relieve trigeminal nerve pain. Innovative techniques include the use of a gamma knife and a cyber knife. A gamma knife is a helmet with a built-in emitter, the operating principle of which is based on a cobalt radioisotope. A weak dose of radiation affects the affected nerve. A cyber knife consists of a movable radiating head, which is directed to the center of the pathological focus. The advantages of radiosurgery are: non-traumatic, reducing the risk of complications to zero, no anesthesia. Cyber knife treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, does not require recovery, after exposure the patient can immediately return to normal life.

Another breakthrough in pain relief is the method of percutaneous stereotactic rhizotomy, based on the penetration of an electric current conductor into the trigeminal nerve. The diseased nerve is destroyed, and it no longer conducts impulses to the central nervous system.

Facial nerve pain

I would like to dwell in more detail on neuritis of the facial nerve, localized in the ear area and causing paralysis of the facial muscles. Pain in the facial nerve can occur as a result of:

  • otitis;
  • hypothermia;
  • mumps;
  • damage to the facial nerve.

The pain that appears in the facial nerve may be accompanied by ear pain, taste disorders, and increased lacrimation. Muscle paralysis sometimes disappears as suddenly as it appeared, but full recovery does not occur immediately - from 2 months to six months.

Pain in the facial nerve is treated as follows

  • the first week – ensuring complete muscle rest. For inflammation, analgesics and corticosteroids are prescribed, for example: "prednisolone" in a 10-12 day course at a daily rate of 1 mg/kg. Non-contact heat is used, for example, warming up with a Minin lamp;
  • the second week – courses of exercise therapy, massage. The affected muscle is fixed with adhesive tape, paraffin applications are made. The end of the second week – anticholinesterase drugs, ultrasound methods of exposure, electrical stimulation. Then a course of galvanic half-masks according to Bergonier is prescribed (0.05% solution of "proserin" or 0.02% "dibazole") for 10-12 days;
  • after 2-3 months – biostimulation with aloe extract, 10-12 intramuscular injections of “lidase” of 32-64 U. Massage and reflexology are recommended.

Sciatic Nerve Pain

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body. Sciatic nerve pain extends to the lumbosacral region and buttock. It can cover the entire back of the thighs, shins, feet of one or both legs. Pain from a pinched nerve is recognized by burning, shooting pains in the lower back, numbness. Severe pain in the sciatic nerve does not allow you to move as usual and even deprives you of sleep.

Pain in sciatic nerve inflammation or sciatica occurs for a number of reasons, including: spinal injury or disease, disc herniation, inflammatory processes in the joints, infectious diseases, physical overload. The most common factors of pain in sciatic nerve inflammation include:

  • intervertebral hernia leads to stretching or pinching of the nerve root;
  • lumbar stenosis - narrowing of the canal where the spinal cord is located. The disease is common in people over 60 years old;
  • osteochondrosis – degenerative changes in the spinal column with protrusion, flattening of discs, formation of bone growths, which leads to irritation of the sciatic nerve;
  • spondylolisthesis condition - pinching of a nerve root due to a slipped vertebra;
  • changes in the piriformis muscle of the sciatic nerve;
  • dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint causes pain along the sciatic nerve.

Pain from inflammation of the sciatic nerve gradually increases with each new attack. Discomfort in the lower back or buttock is accompanied by fatigue, tension in the legs. Few people pay attention to symptoms similar to banal fatigue, and allow the disease to develop over many years. An external factor, such as hypothermia, can lead to a sharp progression of pain.

Pain from a pinched nerve can be so intense that it deprives the patient's body of mobility. The pain is mainly localized on one side of the body, disappears in a state of complete rest, and intensifies at night. Diagnostics to determine the causes of pain from a pinched nerve are carried out by X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. It is necessary to take into account that pain along the sciatic nerve can have symptoms similar to more serious diseases. If the pain occurs against the background of elevated temperature, with external changes in the skin (redness, swelling), the pain increases, a burning sensation occurs during urination, then you should go to the hospital without delay.

Treatment of sciatic neuralgia

  • medications - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, namely: "ibuprofen", "nimesulide", "tsebereks" and others. Contraindicated in diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure. Anti-inflammatory drugs of the steroid group based on the human hormone cortisol can be used for a short time (1-2 weeks). They have a wide range of serious side effects;
  • physiotherapy. This includes magneto-, UHF-therapy, electrophoresis, paraffin applications, phonophoresis. The methods are based on warming up the affected area, increasing blood flow, reducing swelling, which eliminates pain;
  • injection of steroid drugs into the epidural space. Injections act directly in the area of pain localization, reduce the amount of medication used, and have a minimum of side effects;
  • surgical intervention. The method of surgical treatment is prescribed depending on the problem. In the postoperative period, there will be pain after the nerve is removed, you will receive a number of instructions to limit loads, body positions. For some period, you may be prohibited from sitting. The recovery process will take from several months to a year.

Who to contact?

How to relieve nerve pain at home?

Nerve pain occurs suddenly, like a lightning strike. You only expect one thing from the pain: for it to go away as soon as possible. To relieve pain at home, you can carry out a procedure with beeswax melted in a water bath. It must be cooled slightly. First, lubricate the painful area with sea buckthorn, sunflower, burdock oil or propolis. Apply wax to the oil composition, cover the compress with a warm blanket. Keep it until it cools completely. The following also helps to cope with painful sensations:

  • Kuznetsov, Lyapko applicators;
  • baths with birch, eucalyptus, and oak brooms;
  • baths with turpentine, decoctions of medicinal herbs, pine needle extract, etc.

Pain along the nerve makes you change your established rhythm of life, so it is better to prevent it. You should not lift weights, sit on a soft chair, and in general it is better to walk more. It is preferable to sleep on a hard one, watch your weight, do a course of physical exercises to release the sciatic nerve.

Nerve pain can become chronic. In these cases, sanatorium and resort treatment is recommended, excluding the period of exacerbation. Health centers have sulfur, radon, and hydrogen sulfide baths. To alleviate the condition, mud treatment, ozokerite and paraffin applications are used. Timely, properly conducted treatment can relieve pain forever.

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