Getting on Your Nerves

When Pain Comes From the Nerves: Understanding Neuropathic Pain Beyond Diabetes

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Pain is something most of us understand instinctively.

We twist an ankle, strain a muscle, or develop arthritis, and the discomfort makes sense - it hurts where something is injured or inflamed. But nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, often feels very different. It can burn, sting, tingle, numb, or feel like electric shocks running through the body. There may be increased sensitivity to touch (allodynia) or temperature, and sometimes spontaneous pain without any obvious injury at all. For many patients, this kind of pain is the most confusing and frustrating to live with.

When people hear the term “neuropathic pain,” diabetes is often the first thing that comes to mind. While diabetes is indeed a common cause, it is far from the only one. In my practice as a pain specialist, I have seen many patients whose nerve pain has nothing to do with blood sugar levels, and who have spent a lot of time seeking answers.

NEUROPATHIC PAIN AND ITS CAUSES