What Are the Treatments for Back Pain From Damaged Nerves?

Pain is experienced when there is damage to a nerve and is often described as burning or stabbing. Nerve pain can be very debilitating, but through the use of ultrasound therapy, dietary interventions, herbal therapy and massage, the pain can often be greatly reduced.

Light-Emitting Diode Therapy

• Physical therapists use LED light therapy which has been shown to be highly effective in treating chronic pain conditions. LED light therapy was developed through research at NASA. LED light therapy helps with pain by warming the tissues, improving circulation and promoting cell turnover.

Therapeutic Massage

• The Feldenkrais method of massage was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais and is a specialized form that helps to bring about pain relief through awareness of movement. A typical session lasts 45 minutes to one hour and costs approximately $75 to $100, depending on the therapist.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

• Physical therapists, osteopaths and chiropractors use TENS to treat all forms of back pain. TENS is used to help stimulate endorphins, our body's own natural pain killers. TENS helps to block the pain signal traveling to the brain. This form of pain treatment is referred to as electroanalgesia.

Chinese Medicine

• Acupuncturists have been found to be successful when treating pain by teaching the body to be healthy again. Like TENS, acupuncture helps to block the pain signal to the brain by interrupting the message of pain along the pathway.

Ultrasound Therapy

• Although generally ultrasound is used for diagnostic purposes, physical therapists and chiropractors use ultrasound as a pain-reliever, because it can reduce the rate at which a pain impulse is conducted along a nerve pathway. This is referred to as therapeutic ultrasound. Therapeutic ultrasound uses much higher frequencies of sound which produce heat and can help control pain, inflammation and improve circulation.

Vitamins/Herbs

• Holistic Health Care Practitioners suggest a B-vitamin regimen to improve nerve health. Boswellia is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been successful in alleviating pain. Bromelain is derived from the pineapple plant and has been shown to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, joint problems and other painful conditions. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-fungal properties. MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is a naturally occurring form of sulfur and has been proven to be beneficial in treating pain.