How We Determine the Cause of Your Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain can come from irritated, compressed, inflamed, or damaged nerves. It may be related to diabetes, shingles, prior injury or surgery, spinal nerve irritation, chemotherapy-related nerve changes, or other medical conditions. At Medway Pain Center, evaluation begins with a careful history, physical examination, review of imaging or prior testing when available, and attention to the exact pattern of burning, tingling, numbness, shooting pain, or sensitivity.
The goal is to identify the most likely pain generator before recommending a treatment plan.
Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Neuropathic Pain
Treatment depends on the source and pattern of nerve pain. Some patients benefit from conservative care and medication management, while others may need image-guided procedures or advanced therapies when symptoms are persistent, function-limiting, or related to a specific nerve pathway.
- Nerve blocks may help diagnose or target a specific irritated nerve pathway.
- Epidural steroid injections may be considered when neuropathic symptoms are related to irritated spinal nerves.
- Radiofrequency ablation may be appropriate for selected spine-related pain patterns after diagnostic testing.
- Spinal cord stimulation may be considered for certain chronic neuropathic pain conditions when conservative and injection-based treatments have not provided enough relief.
Why One Procedure May Be Better Than Another
Different treatments address different causes of nerve pain. A nerve block can help confirm whether a specific nerve is involved, while an epidural injection targets inflammation around spinal nerves. Radiofrequency ablation is used only for selected pain generators, and spinal cord stimulation is reserved for carefully selected chronic nerve pain conditions.
Choosing carefully helps avoid unnecessary procedures and improves the chance that treatment matches your actual diagnosis.
Your Treatment Journey at Medway Pain Center
Your care usually begins with an evaluation, diagnosis, and review of prior treatments or imaging. From there, Dr. Tochi Umunakwe and the Medway Pain Center team explain your options, discuss conservative and interventional choices, and build a plan based on your symptoms, exam findings, and goals.
The focus is to reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to daily activities with a plan that makes clinical sense for your condition.
