Chronic Pain
Neuropathy
About Neuropathy
Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy, is a condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves, which carry messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. This damage can affect sensation, movement, and organ function, depending on which nerves are involved.
Common Symptoms
- Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature
- Tingling or prickling sensations
- Sharp, burning, or throbbing pain
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
- Lack of coordination
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction
- Dizziness upon standing
- Excessive sweating
- Heat intolerance
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, review of medical history, and neurological evaluation. Further tests may include blood tests, nerve function tests like electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS), and sometimes nerve biopsies or imaging studies.
Causes
Neuropathy can be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, injuries, infections, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and certain medications. Exposure to toxins and inherited disorders may also contribute to nerve damage.
Treatment Overview
Management strategies for neuropathy often focus on addressing the underlying cause if identifiable, and alleviating symptoms. Conventional approaches may involve prescription medications to manage pain, and physical therapy to improve strength and balance. Some individuals also explore complementary approaches such as acupuncture or dietary changes; however, the effectiveness of these varies and is often discussed with healthcare providers.
Prognosis & Outlook
The prognosis for neuropathy can vary widely depending on the underlying cause, the extent of nerve damage, and how early treatment begins. While some forms of neuropathy may be curable or significantly improve, others may involve chronic symptoms that require ongoing management.
Types & Variants
Mononeuropathy
This is damage to a single peripheral nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common example.
Polyneuropathy
This is the most common type, affecting multiple nerves, often on both sides of the body in a symmetrical pattern. Diabetic neuropathy is a form of polyneuropathy.
Mononeuritis Multiplex
This type involves damage to two or more separate nerves in different areas of the body.
What 1 Contributor Has Shared
One contributor described experiencing a wide array of symptoms including musculoskeletal pain in various body parts, tinnitus, dry eye, ocular migraine, heat sensitivity, anxiety, panic, depression, health anxiety, heart palpitations, intrusive thoughts, disassociation, skin rashes, numbness, post-viral infection symptoms, tooth pain, and burning mouth.
This contributor reported that medical professionals attributed their symptoms to conditions like arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, femoral narrowing, herniated disc, various disc bulges, leg length discrepancy, and anxiety. However, they later concluded these structural findings were incidental and not the root cause, self-identifying instead with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS)/Neuroplastic symptoms after consulting with TMS practitioners.
“Approaches that were part of my recovery”
As described by story contributors
Discovering the work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, and Dr. Schechter, and reading their books
Pain neuroscience education
Journaling via Nicole Sachs
Pain reprocessing therapy and somatic tracking via Alan Gordon
Addressing belief and doubt
Learning to feel safe with sensations, thoughts, and emotions
Graded exposure teaching the brain the pain is not dangerous
Visualization & graded motor imagery
Leaning into positive sensations
Regulating the nervous system & Polyvagal theory
Indifference & outcome independence
Self compassion
“Approaches I tried that didn't help me”
As described by story contributors
Supplements
Changing diet to anti-inflammatory or keto
Japanese healer
Castor oil
Icing & heat
Physical therapy (PT)
Chiropractic care
Osteopath
Massage
Acupuncture
Sports medicine doctor with rehabilitation classes
Correcting posture
Common Turning Points
Pivotal moments described by story contributors
Discovering what neuroplastic pain was
Self-diagnosing with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms after ruling out legitimate pathological findings
Key Realizations & “Aha” Moments
Perspectives shared by story contributors
Structural findings were incidental and not the cause of symptoms
Most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, meaning the pain is real and physically felt, but not caused by body structures
The brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms without tissue damage or disease
Neuroplastic pain is created and maintained by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits
The brain can 'learn' pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating maladaptive neural pathways
Misfiring pain circuits, shaped by emotional states and life stress, cause the brain to perceive pain even when there is no physical cause
Mindbody symptoms often result from stress and nervous system dysregulation, suppressed or unprocessed emotions, learned neural pathways in the brain, and an overactive fear response
Support Systems Contributors Mentioned
Types of support described by story contributors
Reassurance from TMS practitioners
Advice from Those Who've Been There
Suggestions shared by story contributors
- “Understand that most chronic pain is neuroplastic, meaning it is real but not necessarily caused by structural damage, but by the brain and nervous system”
- “Recognize that neuroplastic pain stems from changes and misfirings in the brain's neural circuits, often influenced by emotional states and life stress”
- “Consider that mindbody symptoms, including chronic pain, can result from stress, nervous system dysregulation, suppressed emotions, learned neural pathways, and an overactive fear response”
These insights reflect what individual contributors reported about their own experiences. Results vary — what helps one person may not help another. This is not medical advice.
Stories (1)
Real journeys shared by contributors
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