Neuralgia is nerve pain, which may come from a “trapped nerve” like sciatica. Other times, it may be caused by an illness.

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Post-herpetic neuralgia develops during or after a shingles infection. The herpes zoster virus causes symptoms along a nerve: nerves from the thoracic spine sit between ribs. Initially the blisters may follow one of these nerves between ribs, and if neuralgia follows, it will likely be in the same place too.

The nerve pain can last a lot longer than the blistering phase. It may respond to exercises and heat or ice as well as hands on treatment, which your osteopath can help you with.

Shingles is highly contagious, so it is important that you do not attend the clinic while the blisters are still active. Your osteopath may be able to give initial advice over the phone while you cannot come in.

Diabetic Neuralgia

In diabetes, especially when poorly controlled, nerves can be damaged over time. This typically manifests as pain in the extremities, often the foot. If the damage becomes very extensive, the area can become numb. This is particularly problematic in the feet, as small injuries to the skin may not be spotted. Numbness combined with poor circulation can mean that these injuries can become serious infections much more readily than in a healthy foot.

This is why it is important that people with diabetes attend at least an annual foot clinic. Your osteopath may also carry out additional testing if you have diabetes.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

The trigeminal nerve is a nerve that splits into three parts to supply the face (as illustrated above). This nerve can be irritated by pressure from blood vessels as it leaves a small hole in the skull, which causes severe pain. If a single branch of the nerve is affected, it will cause symptoms on one side, in either:

• The forehead, eyes, and nose

• The cheeks and top lip

• The lower jaw and side of the head

Trigeminal neuralgia may also be caused by illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. It may be appropriate to send for further investigation before starting, or alongside treatment.

Osteopathy for Nerve Pain

Depending on the cause of your nerve pain, we may or may not be able to get to the bottom of the problem. Of the three causes mentioned above, only trigeminal neuralgia has a mechanical cause, and even then it may not be within reach. However, we can help manage the pain.

Irritated nerves are sensitised, causing changes in the nervous system itself. Chronic pain is complicated, but we can support you through it. Your pain may respond to desensitising techniques, depending on the cause. We can also look at other areas that may be stressing the nerve in question. Often muscles will tighten around a painful area to try and protect it, but this may actually make things worse. If this is the case for you, we can continue the improvement between treatments with exercises to do at home.

Osteopathy is complementary, not alternative to mainstream medicine. If appropriate, we can refer you back to the GP for medication to help manage your nerve pain while carrying out treatment. Although it might seem counterintuitive, this gives the nervous system a chance to calm down, and to become more responsive to treatment.

If you are suffering with nerve pain, you can make an appointment online now.