What is nerve pain? (Introduction)

Nerve pain, also called neuropathic pain, is pain caused by damage or disease of the nerves themselves. It differs from pain caused by an injury to muscles or joints. The nerves send wrong signals to the brain, so even a light touch can hurt.

How it feels

• Burning, shooting or stabbing pain
• Electric shock-like jolts
• Tingling, pins and needles or numbness
• Pain triggered by light touch or cold (allodynia)
• Pain that is worse at night

Where it occurs

It can affect one nerve, such as sciatica in the leg or carpal tunnel in the wrist, or many nerves, as in diabetic neuropathy in the feet and hands.

Common reasons

Diabetes, a pinched nerve in the spine, shingles, vitamin B12 deficiency, injury, alcohol, some medicines and autoimmune or inherited conditions.

Why it matters

Nerve pain does not always respond to ordinary painkillers. Finding and treating the cause protects the nerve and improves comfort. Some causes, such as diabetes or spinal cord pressure, need early medical treatment.

Ayurvedic view

Ayurveda describes nerve-related pain under Vata disorders such as Vatavyadhi, Gridhrasi (sciatica) and Sandhigata Vata. This is an interpretive framework and does not replace medical diagnosis.

See a doctor if pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, spreads, or comes with weakness or numbness.

Emergency (112 or 102): sudden weakness or loss of feeling in a limb, loss of bladder or bowel control, trouble speaking or face drooping.

Remember

Nerve pain has a cause that a doctor can look for. Early care prevents lasting damage.