Sharp pains, stabbing sensations, and even a feeling like burning or tender skin without any obvious injury or wound can be alarming.

This type of pain, without an obvious external cause, is usually the result of a damaged or irritated nerve. This is often referred to as neuralgia.

What is neuralgia?

Nerves can be squeezed or pinched in a number of ways which can cause damage. Nerve pain or damage is called neuralgia.

The stabbing, burning or tender pain caused by neuralgia can feel very severe.

The damaged nerve can be anywhere in the body, and the pain is caused by the nerve misfiring pain signals out into the body. Different nerves in the body can result in pain being felt in other areas.

What is intercostal neuralgia?

Intercostal neuralgia is a specific type of neuralgia associated with neuropathic pain that involves the intercostal nerves.

The intercostal nerves are attached to the spinal cord and stretch around to under the ribs. Intercostal neuralgia is generally experienced across your chest and upper body.

What is sciatica?

Another form of neuralgia is sciatica.

This is the type of pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, based along your lower back, through the hips and buttocks and down the legs.

What causes neuralgia?

Nerves can be damaged by several things, including:

- Some diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis
- Some infections, such as shingles
- Moving the body in such a way that catches the nerve, such as during exercise
- Natural ageing

What are the treatments for neuralgia?

Treatment for neuralgia depends on where the pain is in the body, the nerves involved and the cause.

Treatment plans may include:

- Pain medications
- Nerve blocker medications
- Surgery to relieve nerve tension
- Massage and acupuncture
- Chiropractic support

Chiropractic care can be a great option to help manage and reduce the symptoms of neuralgia pain as it focuses on the cause of the issue - your nerves.

Spinal misalignments are a common cause of nerve interference that can lead to neuralgia. A professional chiropractor can help you to assess the possible causes behind your neuralgia pain and make recommendations on whether chiropractic care will help in your unique case.

If you are experiencing neuralgia and would like to learn more about how our expert team might be able to help, don’t hesitate to reach out. We're a dedicated Melville Chiropractor team who are ready to help: (08) 9314 2777