Skip to Content
Book an appointment
Book an appointment

What is neuropathic pain?

Pain caused by injury or disease within the nervous system itself

Also known as nerve pain, neuropathic pain can affect the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or brain. Unlike pain that results from injury or inflammation of tissues, neuropathic pain arises from abnormal nerve signalling. Neuropathic pain is usually a form of chronic pain that persists long after the original cause has resolved and can significantly impact sleep, mood, and overall function.

neck pain

What causes neuropathic pain?

Neuropathic pain occurs when the nervous system is damaged or malfunctioning, sending persistent pain signals without an ongoing physical injury.

This type of pain arises from injury or disease affecting nerves, the spinal cord, or brain. Damaged nerve fibres misfire, amplifying or distorting normal signals into pain. Conditions like diabetes, shingles, spinal disorders, or trauma can trigger it. Over time, this abnormal signalling becomes ingrained, causing ongoing discomfort even after healing.

sitting on the bed late afternoon with one hand of the head in discomfort

Common features of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain feels different from soreness after an injury.

Unlike acute pain that signals injury, neuropathic pain often persists long after healing and may not respond to standard painkillers. Symptoms vary from person to person, but can include:

  • Burning, searing, or electric-shock sensations
  • Stabbing or shooting pains that come in bursts
  • Tingling, “pins and needles,” or crawling feelings
  • Numbness or reduced sensation in affected areas
  • Allodynia: pain from light touch (clothing, bedsheets)
  • Hyperalgesia: pain that feels stronger than expected
  • Sensitivity to cold or temperature changes
  • Ongoing pain out of proportion to the original injury
  • Mixed sensory changes (too much or too little feeling)
  • Skin colour or temperature changes in some conditions
  • Weakness or coordination issues if motor nerves are involved
  • Sleep disturbance, fatigue, and impacts on mood or concentration
lady sitting at a cafe with back and neck pain

Types of neuropathic pain

There are different causes of neuropathic pain that can occur in many ways.

Nerve pain all share a common feature - damaged or misfiring nerve pathways that produce persistent, often severe pain.

How can we help

At Anodyne, we provide therapies that go beyond conventional medications

Our treatments modulate abnormal nerve activity and reduce hypersensitivity associated with neuropathic pain. Using advanced options, such as ketamine therapy, to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Ketamine therapy

Ketamine therapy can “reset” pain pathways in the nervous system, reducing intensity, improving function, and often lowering reliance on opioids.

Ketamine therapy
Men doing yoga in nature

Stellate Ganglion Block

Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) helps calm the overactive sympathetic nervous system, particularly useful in conditions such as facial and upper limb nerve-related pain.

Stellate ganglion block

Our unique approach

Neuropathic pain is complex, often involving physical, psychological, and neurological factors.

At Anodyne, our approach brings together psychiatry and pain medicine to address the whole person, not just the symptom.


What to expect

Personalised treatment plans based on your condition and history

1.
consultation with a man on a couch in discussion with medical support

Collaboration with GP, specialists and allied health team to ensure coordinated care

2.
A man sitting with another person and taking notes.

Advanced therapies integrated with allied health for long-term rehabilitation

3.
A woman peacefully laying down with headphones on

A focus on restoring quality of life, not just reducing pain scores

4.
calm open air movement

Why choose Anodyne?

We understand the heavy toll neuropathic pain can take on everyday life.

At Anodyne, our team combines clinical expertise with compassionate care, giving patients safe access to advanced therapies when conventional treatments have failed.

About Anodyne
active treatment room with medical specialist just out of frame

Want to know more?

Take the next step

If you are struggling with neuropathic pain and standard treatments haven’t helped, you are not alone. Book an appointment or make an enquiry to explore advanced therapies with Anodyne.

Book an appointment
Make an enquiry
Book an appointmentMake an enquiry