Neuralgia

Symptoms

Nerves conduct the sense of touch to the brain, so when they are irritated, the pain can be excruciating. Pain characterizes all kinds of neuralgia. Typical nerve pains are severe, shooting or recurring attacks. They are brought on by movement or just occur on their own. The skin is overly sensitive to the least cold, drafts or slightest touch, as the nerves affected lie close to the skin’s surface. In some cases, the nerve throbs or burns with pain. Tingling and numbness signal the start of a neuralgia attack, though this is often indicative of other nerve problems like neuritis or polyneuropathy.

The severe type of nerve pain is characteristic of trigeminal neuralgia, which typically affects one side of the face in the cheek area. Swelling and redness often occur with the pain. This type of neuralgia can begin as a sensitive tooth before it becomes full-blown neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia usually occurs once, but many people are troubled with recurring attacks. Trigeminal neuralgia occurs exclusively in middle-aged and elderly patients. Some experience nerve pain in the throat and in the in the scrotum in men or the labia in women, though these types are rare.

Neuralgias can also occur after a nerve has been injured. In amputees, this is known as phantom limb pain, though it can occur after virtually any kind of surgery or from a severe bout of shingles. If nerve pains are associated with muscle wasting after an injury, it is the result of a rare form of neuralgia, called post-traumatic reflex.

Causes

Technically, a neuralgia is any pain which involves the nerves, but what characterizes this group of illnesses is that they are not well understood. Trigeminal neuralgia often occurs after exposure to a cold draft or wind that has caused a chill, leaving the nerve more sensitive. In recurrent cases, the cause actually lies in the teeth, due to undetected tooth abscesses and other infections. Repeated pressure on the nerve can also cause irritation. Sources of internal pressure include tissue swelling or scarring from chronic inflammation.

Sometimes, the cause of the inflammation is an obvious repetitive injury, but it is not always clear. Nerve pains combined with muscle wasting following an injury can signal an improper healing reflex of the sympathetic nervous system, possibly due to pressure.

Facial pain of unknown origin can also be caused by delayed hypersensitivity to food allergies. The pain reaction to the foods, usually involving three to twenty foods, can occur up to five days after consumption, so the food reaction is not obvious. The allergens are often the favorite or frequently eaten foods, which are usually eaten in large amounts.

The nerves are particularly sensitive to toxins, and an overload of toxic substances may contribute to recurrences. Whenever there is nerve pain, obvious sources, like alcohol and tobacco, should be eliminated and a detoxification program included. Lead and mercury are two of these toxic metals to consider as well. The major source of facial pain from mercury is the silver dental filling which leaks out mercury on a continuous basis leading to nervous and immune system irritation and pain. If you have more than four silver mercury dental fillings, look into replacing this potential source of chronic pain before proceeding with any surgery. A poor diet can also play a role in chronic nerve problems and a lack of certain B vitamins can cause nerve pains and inflammation. The effects of stress should also be considered, as stress weakens the nervous system.

Nutrition

Eat plenty of whole grains and green, leafy vegetables for the B complex vitamins essential for nerve health. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is especially important. Without thiamine, the nerves are unable to use carbohydrates for energy. Neuritis due to lack of thiamine can be cleared up in three to four days when this deficiency is corrected. Figs are very good sources of thiamine, as are wheat germ and nutritional yeast. Make a habit of sprinkling them on cereals and salads. Avoid white sugar and white-flour products as they deplete the body of B vitamins.

Nutritional Supplements

A susceptibility to nerve problems often lies in deficiencies in any number of the B vitamins and these are not always obvious on blood tests. The B vitamins are in high demand when the nervous system is out of balance. B12 is a particularly important vitamin and should be supplemented in the form of sublingual tablets.

The essential fatty acids are also recommended for nerve problems. They serve as mild anti-inflammatories and as building blocks for the nervous system. Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids. Magnesium injections are also frequently effective for relief of pain and spasms.

Daily dosages:

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily

Vitamin B12, sublingual tablets, 1,000 mcg

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily

Herbal Remedies

Herbs can be taken internally as a juice or tea or applied externally as a compress to relieve pain.

St. John’s wort juice repairs and restores the nervous system and reduces inflammation. Take 1-3 tbsp. of juice with water or herbal tea, or 2 cups of St. John’s wort tea daily and add lavender or skullcap for a calming nervine.

For anesthetic effect, rub peppermint oil on the affected area.

Vervain has sedative and antispasmodic properties and restores the nervous system. Soak a pad in a decoction and use as a compress.

Swedish bitters rubbed on externally help heal and soothe the pain. Taken internally, it detoxifies the system. Take 1 tsp. in 1/2 cup of liquid daily.

Wash affected area with arnica infusion to reduce inflammation.

Apply cold medicinal clay mixed with St. John’s wort oil, lemon balm, lavender oil or comfrey cream.

Compresses of pulped horseradish or black mustard seeds are very effective in increasing the circulation to the area.

Other herbs that can be used are; burdock, camomile, cinchona bark, devil’s claw (take with food or aloe vera juice to avoid hyperacidity), fenugreek, ginger, horseradish, juniper berries, mugwort, mullein, parsley, rosemary, skullcap, stinging nettle, white willow, wild yam extract and valerian. Many of these natural supplements come in combination forms, which reduces the numbers of capsules, tablets or tinctures.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies can be effective in combating pain and resolving inflammation quickly. Use the 6c strength, dissolving 2 tablets under the tongue and repeating every hour for several hours if the pain is severe, then four times daily for up to ten days. Stop once the pain improves.

Aconite is most helpful right at the onset of a neuralgia, if the pain is sudden, sharp and almost unbearable. It is often used if the neuralgia begins after exposure to a cold draft.

Magnesia phosphorica is another common remedy for neuralgia. The pains are cramping and sharp, and the skin very sensitive to a chill. Warmth and pressure bring some relief.

Colocynthis is useful if the pain feels cutting or stabbing and improves with warmth and hard pressure. Unlike Magnesia phosphorica, there is less sensitivity to cold. The patient may want to lie on the painful part, especially for the pressure.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets every hour if the pain is severe, then 4 tablets four times daily until the pain improves, or for two weeks.

Mag phos is very useful for neuralgias with typical cramping, shooting pains. The pains are most sensitive to cold air and warmth relieves.

Ferr phos is more appropriate if the inflammation stands in the foreground. A chill is often a cause of the inflammation, and the nerve throbs and burns with heat.

Kali phos is a good choice if the intense pain is accompanied by nervous tension and great sensitivity and gets better with motion.

Use Calc phos if the neuralgia is associated with numbness and tingling, it is worse at night and the overall state of health is weak.

Silicea helps throbbing and searing pains which get worse in cold and damp conditions.

External/Physical Therapies

Light massage with apple cider vinegar water is an old tested method to ease neuralgia. Dip a small soft cotton cloth in a mixture of 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 cups of lukewarm water. Gently wipe the affected area with upward strokes until the pain subsides, or just dip the hand in the vinegar solution and lightly stroke the affected area. It is more effective when the patient is massaged by another person.

To ease the pain, apply hot wraps for half an hour.

Gently rub a slice of fresh lemon on the affected area.

Arnica oil or cream and natural progesterone cream can also be applied topically.

Other Suggestions

Check teeth for hidden abscesses which could be causing the problem.

If toxic heavy metals could be the source of symptoms, a hair analysis will determine mineral levels. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)

Determining the food allergens can be made through an elimination diet or through blood tests known as ELISA. The elimination of food allergens from the diet reverses the pain symptoms within three to six months. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Cool B3 (Klaire Laboratories)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate

(Natural Factors)

E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)

Hi Potency Multi (Natural Factors)

Stress B Formula (Natural Factors)

Super Multi Plus (Natural Factors)

Ultra Multi Plus (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

Schoenenberger St. John’s Wort Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Natural Pain Ease (Natural Factors)

St. John’s Wort Extract (Natural Factors)

Swedish Bitters-Extra Strength (Natural Factors)

Black Cohosh Root (Nature’s Herbs)

Burdock (Nature’s Herbs)

Camomile Flowers (Nature’s Herbs)

Devil’s Claw Extract (Nature’s Herbs)

Fenugreek Seed (Nature’s Herbs)

Ginger Root (Nature’s Herbs)

Hops-Valerian Combination (Nature’s Herbs)

Juniper Berries (Nature’s Herbs)

Nettle Leaf (Nature’s Herbs)

Parsley Leaf (Nature’s Herbs)

Scullcap (Nature’s Herbs)

Valerian-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

White Willow (Nature’s Herbs)

Willowprin Max (Nature’s Herbs)

Ginkoba (Pharmaton)

Ginkosan (Pharmaton)

Homeopathy

Aconite (Nelsons Homeopathy)

External Therapies

Camomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Marjoram Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Melissa Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Rosemary Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)