Did you know that not all pain was created equal?  There are all kinds of pain but one thing we don’t need to tell you is how much pain is…well…such a pain!  It can change the quality of our life faster than anything. There are basically two categories of pain; acute and chronic.  Acute pain comes on suddenly and only lasts for a short period of time.  Chronic pain is ongoing, without an end in sight. Neuropathic pain is generally categorized as chronic pain. Neuropathic pain occurs when the nerve fibers are damaged from disease or injury.  When damaged, these nerves send incorrect information to the pain centers in the brain.  This kind of pain may be burning and shooting pain or it may show up as numbness and tingling.  Neuropathic pain can affect any part of your body, creating a great deal of emotional distress.  This type of pain is not uncommon in your upper extremities. The causes of neuropathic pain are numerous.  It can result from something as simple as overusing a joint, such as your elbow or arm.  Overuse can cause swelling and result in pressure on the nerves in your arm, thereby creating pain.  Disease such as Multiple Sclerosis or Arthritis can also be a cause; even diabetes can cause neuropathic pain.  Muscle weakness is often associated with nerve pain. Because there are many sub types of chronic pain, it is important to obtain a full, physical evaluation from your physician to diagnose the source of your nerve pain.  Many treatment options are available following an accurate diagnosis. Although a cure is not always possible, there are also many remedies to help you manage and cope with your pain. As usual, our best advice is to keep your body as healthy as possible to avoid experiencing neuropathic pain.  When playing sports, make sure you take plenty of time off to rest your muscles and joints.  Eat a healthy, well balanced diet full of vitamins and nutrients.   Get a reasonable amount of exercise and take care of health problems as they arise.  Taking the ‘wait and see’ approach is not always the best method and lead to more chronic problems.

Remember, at the first signs of numbness, tingling, shooting or burning pain, make an appointment with your doctor.  Idaho Hand Institute is well experienced in acute and chronic pain; call us for a full evaluation and treatment plan that will bring you optimal relief.