We talk a lot about nerve pain and tests to diagnose the causes. But what does it feel like? When should you talk to your doctor? Pain in the nerves typically feels like a sharp or shooting pain. Sometimes it feels like a jolt of electricity. You might have a sensation of pins and needles or tingling. People may also describe feeling numbness, sensitivity to touch, stinging, burning, or a sensation of ice. It’s important to be as specific as possible when you describe your pain to your doctor. Talk about how it feels, where it is in your body, and what time of day you feel the pain. It can help to keep a journal over the course of a week or two.

See Your Primary Care Physician About Persistent Nerve Pain

Several conditions can cause nerve pain. A pain that’s localized in the hands and wrists might be carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have persistent pain in your back or neck, it could be disc herniation. Sometimes the pain comes and goes in several different places in your body. Diabetes or pre-diabetes can cause pain in the nerves. Injuries from sports or work may cause painful injuries to the nerves, too. You should visit your general practitioner so he or she can rule out some of these conditions with blood tests or simple physical tests.

Get a Referral to a Neurologist for EMG/NCS Testing

If your blood work comes back normal, and you don’t have an obvious physical cause, your doctor will refer you to a neurologist. A specialist can order more extensive testing to pinpoint the cause of your pain. You may have an autoimmune disorder. Or you may need EMG/NCS testing to figure out exactly which nerves are causing problems.

Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Over the counter pain medications can help, but some people need a stronger prescription-strength medicine. Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants or anticonvulsants. Be sure to ask how long it should take for a medication to start improving your symptoms. You should also ask about physical therapy or other exercises to relieve pain. Regular moderate exercise and careful stretching have helped many people find relief.

Please contact Precision Medical Group to make an appointment for testing.