Nerve Pain
Nerve pain or neuropathic pain can be debilitating for the sufferer. It is the result of damage and/or dysfunction to parts of the sensory nervous system. Nerve pain can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions from local trauma to viral infections. Patients complain of very severe, intense pain and may describe relentless, burning, sharp, stabbing or electric shock-like pain. There may be
What it is
Common neuropathic pain syndromes include post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, post-surgical neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and entrapment neuropathies. Each has a different evidence-based treatment pathway.
Symptoms and signs
- Burning, shooting, electric-shock or "pins-and-needles" pain.
- Pain triggered by light touch (allodynia) or amplified normal stimuli (hyperalgesia).
- Pain in the distribution of a specific nerve, dermatome or surgical scar.
- Coexisting numbness and sensory change in the same area.
- Coexisting autonomic features — swelling, colour change, sweating (CRPS).
How we investigate
Structured neurological examination, nerve conduction studies and EMG via partner neurophysiology, bloods for metabolic and autoimmune neuropathy panel, MRI where structural compression is suspected.
Treatment options at The Vesey
- First-line pharmacotherapy — gabapentinoid, tricyclic, or SNRI, titrated carefully with explicit review.
- Topical therapy — lidocaine 5% plasters, capsaicin 8% for localised neuropathic pain.
- Peripheral nerve and dorsal root ganglion blocks for diagnosis and treatment.
- Lumbar and stellate sympathetic blocks for CRPS.
- Neuromodulation referral — spinal cord stimulator or peripheral nerve stimulator assessment where indicated.
What is post-herpetic neuralgia and can it be treated? +
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is persistent burning or shooting pain in the area affected by shingles, lasting more than 3 months after the rash. Effective treatments include gabapentinoids, tricyclics, lidocaine 5% plasters, capsaicin 8% patches and intercostal nerve blocks.
What is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)? +
CRPS is a chronic pain condition involving disproportionate pain, swelling, skin colour or temperature change, and autonomic dysfunction in a limb following a trigger injury or surgery. Early specialist input improves outcomes. Treatment includes physiotherapy, sympathetic nerve blocks and multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation.
Are spinal cord stimulators assessed at The Vesey? +
Yes. Dr Arul James assesses patients for neuromodulation, including spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation, for conditions including CRPS, failed back surgery syndrome and refractory neuropathic pain. The assessment includes a structured trial before permanent implant.
How is neuropathic pain different from ordinary pain? +
Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction in the nervous system itself rather than from tissue injury. Typical descriptors include burning, electric shock, shooting and pins-and-needles. It is associated with allodynia (pain from non-painful stimuli) and hyperalgesia. Standard analgesics are often ineffective; specific drugs and nerve-targeted procedures are needed.
Pricing at a glance
Initial pain medicine consultation £260. Nerve conduction studies via partner from £390. Peripheral nerve blocks from £800. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to see a specialist
Book if you have nerve pain that has not responded to first-line therapy, post-shingles pain, post-surgical pain, or a CRPS picture you suspect is being missed.
Cost and pathway
Initial pain medicine consultation £260. Nerve conduction studies via partner from £390. Peripheral nerve blocks from £800.
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our pain medicine team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
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Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
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