How Is Nerve Pain Different From Other Types Of Pain?

Dr. Thelma B. Wright answers the question: 'How Is Nerve Pain Different?'

ByABC News
November 14, 2008, 1:32 PM

— -- Question: How Is Nerve Pain Different From Other Types Of Pain?

Answer: Nerve pain is usually described by patients as a severe, shooting, sharp, burning or lancinating pain. Whereas other types of pain not originating from the nervous system such as muscle, bone or joint pain is described as a dull, achy pain.

The nerve pain may also be out of proportion to what would be expected from the initial injury and will occur days to months after the injury, such as what is seen in complex regional pain syndrome. This is another type of nerve pain. This syndrome only affects the hands and the feet, and the affected part may swell, feel very cold and be sensitive to touch.

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