Neuropathy and Chronic Back Pain in Vacaville

Neuropathic pain in Vacaville is unlike any other type of pain. When you break a bone, pain signals are being carried out through the nerves from the point of injury to the brain. However, the pain from neuropathy comes from the nerves themselves.

How neuropathic pain develops in Vacaville

In many cases, the nerves become damaged or dysfunctional after an injury or trauma, which causes it to become hypersensitive to pain. The nerves will send out faulty signals of pain even after the injury has already healed. The initial injury can happen in either the central or peripheral nervous system.

Neuropathy is a chronic condition, which means it doesn't go away. This causes the pain to eventually become the disease. The terms peripheral neuritis and sensory peripheral neuropathy are often used to describe neuropathy that affects the peripheral nerves.

When back pain causes neuropathy

Neuropathy can happen as a result of the pain caused by compression or impinging of the nerve. For example, a herniated disc could pinch on a nearby nerve, which causes pain. Neuropathic pain coming from the back or spine may include the following:

• Chronic pain radiating down the arm (cervical radiculopathy)
• Chronic pain radiating down the leg (sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy)
• Pain after back surgery that persists commonly called failed back surgery syndrome

Some of the common causes of neuropathy include diabetes and regional pain syndrome (RPS). Apart from that, additional causes may include disease, infection, injury, substance abuse, and exposure to toxins. Though it is not always possible to pinpoint the cause of the problem.

Why early treatment is important

The reason why early treatment is recommended is that an aggressive treatment approach may be required if the symptoms aren't addressed soon.

Over time, being exposed to significant pain can alter your central nervous system, which will make your body be more sensitive even to the slightest touch. This phenomenon is known as central sensitization.

Just like any other type of chronic pain, a delay in treatment can have the possibility of other health problems developing. Anxiety, depression, sleeping difficulties, and an inability to work and perform other activities are some of the issues associated with untreated neuropathy.

Treatment for neuropathic pain

To determine the cause of neuropathy, you may be required to undergo a series of tests including blood tests, electromyography and nerve conduction studies, and diagnostic tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With the help of these test results, the most effective therapy for your condition can be determined.

There are cases that are more straightforward than others. If a herniated disc has caused nerve compression, decompression therapy can be used to help relieve the pressure on the affected nerve.

If there is no underlying cause for the pain, treatment is usually more focused on pain relief. There is no medication that can totally eliminate neuropathy symptoms, but a combination of treatments can be really helpful. With that in mind, you should try getting in touch with Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine to receive the treatment that's best for you. Just dial (707) 474-5688 today and schedule an appointment with the attending physician, Dr. Alex Tam.