Getting Rid of Sharp Stabbing Pain

Suppose you are experiencing a sharp, stabbing, or electric-shock type of pain that occurs spontaneously and has been interfering with your daily activities, you might be dealing with a neuropathic type of pain also known as nerve pain.

About Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain occurs when the parts of the nervous system malfunction or get damaged. This applies to both central and peripheral nervous system damage. The malfunctioning parts of the nervous system send pain signals even without direct cause. This makes the pain intense and difficult to manage without proper care. Other characteristics of neuropathic pain may include:

Hyperalgesia: This is extreme sensitivity to painful stimuli. An example would be prolonged electric-light pain experienced from a small prick.
Allodynia: This is an extreme sensitivity to touch that the brain interprets painless stimuli as painful. An example would be when a light touch was felt as a sharp stabbing pain.

For this blog, we focus on the peripheral neuropathic pain or peripheral neuropathy.

In peripheral neuropathy, nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord are damaged. The common symptoms related to peripheral neuropathy include both motor and sensory affectations. Neuropathic pain is part of the sensory symptom.

Other symptoms include:

Muscle weakness
Muscle atrophy
Involuntary muscle movements
Tingling, numbness, and pain

In severe cases, autonomic symptoms may also be affected such as:

Blood pressure fluctuation
Bowel and bladder problems
Sexual dysfunction
Excessive or lack of sweat
Skin color changes

There are many causes of peripheral nerve damage. About 30% of neuropathy cases are caused by diabetes. Other conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy are:

Traumatic injuries
Infections
Vitamin deficiency
Autoimmune conditions
Alcohol abuse
Medications and toxins

TCM Perspective

Neuropathic pain is an imbalance in the body's Qi. Blockages and deficiencies in the pathways can lead to pain. Peripheral neuropathy is viewed as a disruption in the channels that connect the brain with the various tissues. Addressing the imbalances with the help of traditional East Asian medicine modalities can restore the flow and correct the balance within the body to promote healing and relief from pain.

Herbal Therapy

Certain medicinal herbs are known for reducing inflammation, speeding up nerve regeneration, and improving circulation. Some are taken orally while other herbal concoctions are best used as soaks. A personalized formula may be prescribed depending on the root cause of the peripheral neuropathy to provide pain relief and support overall health

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a cornerstone of traditional East Asian medicine and is highly regarded as an effective treatment for various conditions. Acupuncture stimulates specific points in the body to address blockages and imbalances. For peripheral neuropathy, it stimulates the body's natural opioids to reduce neuropathic pain and natural healing processes to speed up recovery

A research published in 2022 studied the potential mechanisms of acupuncture for neuropathic pain. It was mentioned that in neuropathic pain conditions, acupuncture may improve pain through the somatosensory system including both central and peripheral mechanisms. The cumulative evidence strengthens the claim that acupuncture can be an adjunctive therapy for neuropathic pain.

Peripheral neuropathy can become chronic pain if not addressed early and correctly. This kind of pain can severely impact one's quality of life. With the help of acupuncture and herbal therapy, the root cause of nerve damage and imbalances can be treated. For individuals with peripheral neuropathy, regular acupuncture sessions can alleviate pain, improve mobility, and prevent further nerve damage. You don't have to suffer long. Schedule an appointment with us today to begin your recovery.

Reference:

Ma, X., Chen, W., Yang, N. N., Wang, L., Hao, X. W., Tan, C. X., Li, H. P., & Liu, C. Z. (2022). Potential mechanisms of acupuncture for neuropathic pain based on somatosensory system. Frontiers in neuroscience, 16, 940343. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.940343