28 Innovative healthcare, clinics & alternative remedies 9 JANUARY 2021 • NEW YEAR, NEW START DISTRIBUTED WITH THE SATURDAY DAILY MAIL Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a pain condition that can a ect any part of the body

Neuropathic pain is the result of injury or damage caused to the sensory nervous system, which is responsible for transmitting pain-related information from the skin and other parts of the body to the spinal cord and brain. Patients often refer to this condi- tion as ‘nerve pain’ and report their symptoms as severe, signif- icantly a ecting their activi- ties of daily living and quality of life. Neuropathic pain varies in nature and intensity and may get better or worse over time. Pain is de ned as chronic or persistent if it outlasts the healing process, which is normally three months. A recent study shows that chronic pain a ects between one-third and one-half of the population of the UK, corresponding to just under 28 million adults1.  ere’s an 8-9% estimated prevalence of chronic neuropathic pain. With the increase in life expectancy, NEUROPATHIC PAIN IN HAND SCAR PAIN the rate is anticipated to rise.

SHINGLES IN THE NECK

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS MANAGEMENT  e International Association which target nerves along the  e window of pain relief  ere are multiple causes of Persistent pain presents a for the Study of Pain (IASP) spon- pain pathway. Opioids are gener- should be utilised for perfor- neuropathic pain, the most considerable daily challenge sors and promotes the Global ally not recommended because mance of strengthening and common being shingles, with potentially devastating Year Against Pain, a yearlong of the high risks from their long- endurance exercises, improving diabetes mellitus, trapped or e ects on patients. To success- initiative designed to raise inter- term use. Only a few people posture and mobility. compressed nerves (can give fully manage a chronic pain national awareness of pain. Each bene t from opioids (fpm.ac.uk/ To modulate the transmis- rise to radicular pain — often condition, focus should be on year, IASP focuses on a di erent opioids-aware). sion of pain in the nerves/ referred to as sciatica), nerve reducing the impact of pain aspect of pain that has global If the area of pain is localised, nervous system, electrical or spinal cord injury, central with the aim to improve implications. 2014-2015 was the it may be amenable to applica- stimulation techniques like pain, post-surgical scar pain, one’s quality of life and long- Global Year Against Neuropathic tion of local anaesthetic creams/ pulsed radiofrequency can post-stroke, cancer, trigem- term physical, functional and Pain.2 plasters, capsaicin cream/ be used in the pain clinic. inal neuralgia, post-ampu- emotional wellbeing. plaster application (qutenza). For selected cases, implants tation, infections, chemo- Depending on the type of PAIN CLINIC Simple techniques like heat and such as peripheral or spinal therapy, alcoholism and pain, assessment is carried Neuropathic pain is di cult to cold, massage and exercises cord stimulation is available multiple sclerosis. Complex out to con rm the diagnosis. treat; on the whole, it requires are encouraged. in highly specialised centres. Regional Pain Syndrome, a severe It’s important for patients a combination of techniques.  ere are neuropathic pain type of nerve pain, can present early in the illness to be Patients whose pain is severe PAIN INTERVENTIONS conditions that need an oper- with or without an injury. educated on neuropathic and/or those su ering with Neuropathic pain interventions ation to relieve nerve or spinal Neuropathic pain symptoms pain, the steps necessary to considerable e ects on their can take several forms, from cord compression. may be constant or intermittent treat this condition and the ability to function and quality of injection of local anaesthetics As with any chronic pain and are diverse, with descrip- occupational and lifestyle to life will bene t from attending a and/or steroids to a range of condition, e ective treatment tors of burning pain, ‘pins adopt. Prevention and dealing pain clinic. stimulation techniques and requires self-management and needles’, electric shocks, with underlying causes such Individualised patient treat- implants.  ese are performed skills, engagement with sharp, stabbing, cold, or lanci- as in diabetes, reduces the ment involves a multidiscipli- close to the nerve or along the rehabilitation-physiotherapy nating. A ected areas often incidence and progression of nary team and entails a holistic pain pathway. Some common and, where appropriate, psycho- feel extremely sensitive to the neuropathic pain to a chronic approach that targets pain with treatments include: nerve logically based therapy.  ese touch, with an enhanced state.  ere are national and medications and appropriate blocks, dorsal root ganglion and strategies can be delivered as response to pain, or, in some international e orts to increase pain procedures.  e medica- nerve root blocks and Botox. separate sessions or as part of a cases, symptoms include numb- the awareness and management tions used include anti-depres- Patients respond variably to multidisciplinary pain manage- ness or abnormal sensations. of this condition. sants and anti-convulsants, injection treatments. ment programme.

Reference Dr Sarah Aturia 1Fayaz, A., Croft, P., Langford, R. M., Donaldson, L. J., & Jones, G. T. (2016). Prevalence of chronic Consultant in anaesthetics and pain medicine pain in the UK: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies. BMJ open, 6(6), oleapainclinic.com e010364. 2 Global Year Against Pain, International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)