Neuropathic pain is a type of pain caused by damage or dysfunction within your nervous system itself. It is different from pain caused by injury, inflammation or tissue damage. Many people describe neuropathic pain as burning, shooting or electric in nature, and it often behaves differently from other types of pain. This is why standard painkillers do not always help, and why specialist assessment can make a significant difference.
At Ramsay Health Care, neuropathic pain is managed through a multidisciplinary approach. Our pain specialists work closely with physiotherapists, psychologists and interventional clinicians to provide a full range of treatment options. Medication is carefully reviewed and adjusted, interventional procedures are considered when appropriate, and surgery is only recommended when there is a clear structural cause that can be corrected.
This page explains what neuropathic pain is, what it feels like, what causes it and how it can be treated.
Neuropathic pain is pain that comes from damage or disease affecting your nervous system. Instead of being caused by an injury to your muscles, joints or tissues, neuropathic pain originates from your nerves themselves. These nerves may be in your peripheral nervous system, which includes the nerves in your arms, legs, hands and feet. They may also be in your central nervous system, which includes your spinal cord and brain.
Neuropathic pain often persists long after any original injury has healed. This happens because the nerve signalling itself has changed. The nerves may send pain signals even when there is no ongoing damage. This can make neuropathic pain feel unpredictable, long‑lasting and difficult to manage without specialist support.
Neuropathic pain can feel very different from other types of pain. People often describe sensations that are unusual or difficult to explain.
Common symptoms include:
Burning or ‘electric shock’ sensations
Tingling, pins and needles or numbness
Increased sensitivity to touch, where even light contact such as clothing can feel painful
Shooting or stabbing pain that may come and go
Pain that is worse at night or when resting
Weakness or reduced function in the affected area
A feeling of tightness or pressure that does not match any visible injury
These symptoms can affect your daily life, sleep, mobility and mood. Understanding the pattern of your symptoms helps your consultant choose the right treatment.
Neuropathic pain can have many causes. Some are related to medical conditions, while others follow an injury or treatment.
Common causes include:
Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common causes of neuropathic pain. High blood sugar levels can damage your nerves over time, especially in your feet and legs.
Post‑herpetic neuralgia is a type of nerve pain that can occur after shingles. It may cause burning or stabbing pain in the affected area.
Operations, injuries or certain cancer treatments can damage your nerves and lead to long‑term neuropathic pain.
Multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal cord injury can all affect nerve signalling and cause neuropathic pain.
In some cases, neuropathic pain develops without an obvious reason. Even when the cause is unclear, treatment can still be effective.
Neuropathic pain often responds differently to standard painkillers. This is why specialist treatment is important.
Ramsay Health Care offers a full range of options, tailored to your symptoms and medical history.
Medication for neuropathic pain is different from medication used for inflammatory or injury‑related pain.
Your consultant may recommend medicines that work on nerve signalling rather than general pain pathways. These may include:
Medicines that calm overactive nerve signals
Medicines that reduce sensitivity in damaged nerves
Medicines that improve sleep and reduce night‑time pain
Your consultant will review your current medication, adjust doses if needed, and monitor how well each treatment works.
Interventional treatments can help reduce your nerve pain when medication alone is not enough. These may include:
Nerve blocks - these injections target irritated nerves and can provide temporary or long‑lasting relief. Explore nerve root block
Targeted injections around the spine or affected nerve pathways - these help reduce inflammation and calm nerve activity.
Explore our injection overview page
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, known as TENS, uses small electrical pulses to interrupt pain signals. Some people find it helpful as part of a wider treatment plan.
Living with chronic neuropathic pain can affect your mood, sleep and daily life. Psychological therapies can help you manage the emotional impact of pain and improve coping strategies.
Surgery is only considered when there is a clear structural cause that can be corrected. It is not a general treatment for neuropathic pain, and most people will not need surgery. It may be recommended if a nerve is trapped and can be decompressed, or if a nerve has been directly damaged and can be repaired. For long‑standing neuropathic pain with no correctable cause, spinal cord stimulation may be an option because it interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain.
Your consultant will only recommend surgery when there is strong evidence it will help, and only after medication and other treatments have been explored.
Book a consultation with a pain specialist to find the right treatment for you.
Surgery is reserved for cases where a clear structural cause can be corrected. It is not used as a first‑line treatment for neuropathic pain.
If a nerve is trapped or compressed, relieving the pressure can reduce pain and restore function. A common example is carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. Decompression surgery can improve symptoms when non‑surgical treatments have not helped.
If a nerve has been directly damaged by injury or previous surgery, nerve repair may be considered. This is usually recommended when there is clear evidence that repairing the nerve will improve symptoms or function.
For chronic neuropathic pain with no correctable structural cause, spinal cord stimulation may be an option. This treatment uses a small, implanted device to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. It does not fix an underlying problem, but it can significantly reduce pain for some people.
Explore spinal cord stimulation
Your consultant will only recommend surgery when there is clear evidence it will help and when all appropriate non‑surgical treatments have been explored.
Ramsay Health Care provides consultant‑led neuropathic pain treatment with fast access to appointments and personalised care. Our specialists work closely with physiotherapists, psychologists and spinal teams to support every aspect of your treatment.
Why choose Ramsay:
Experienced pain management specialists
Shorter waiting times than the NHS for consultation and surgery
Physiotherapy available to support recovery
Self‑pay options with the Total Care package and 0% payment plans available
Most major private medical insurance accepted
Clear pricing and flexible booking
Explore:
Book an appointment or call us on 0808 223 0500
Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage or dysfunction within the nervous system. It comes from your nerves themselves rather than from an injury to muscles or joints.
It can feel like burning, tingling, electric shocks, stabbing pain or increased sensitivity to touch. Some people also experience numbness or weakness.
Common causes include diabetes, shingles, nerve injury, chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis and stroke. Sometimes no clear cause is found.
Medication for neuropathic pain targets nerve signalling rather than general pain pathways. Your consultant may recommend medicines that calm overactive nerves or reduce sensitivity.
Some causes of neuropathic pain can be treated directly, but many cases are managed rather than cured. With the right combination of medication, interventional treatment and lifestyle support, symptoms can improve significantly.
Ramsay Health Care UK, announces a new partnership with Doctor Care Anywhere, one of the UK’s leading virtual primary care providers. The collaboration will give Ramsay patients fast, convenient access to self-pay online GP appointments, with seamless onward referrals into Ramsay’s network of hospitals and specialists where secondary care is required.
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