What treatments are available for neuropathic pain?
To date, treatments to prevent or cure neuropathic pain are limited. The current goal is to balance pain reduction with the negative side effects of available treatments. Many people receive combinations of drugs that are not specifically designed to treat neuropathic pain, provide only short-term relief, and produce many unwanted side effects. There is, therefore, a need for new therapies that relieve neuropathic pain. Nonmedical Therapies Treatment strategies such as biofeedback, relaxation therapy, meditation, guided imagery, and physical therapy may help some people. Acupuncture is often used to relieve neuropathic pain, but it typically only provides short-term relief. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) has also been used with limited success. Pharmacologic Options Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anti-arrhythmics, and topical anesthetics continue to be the treatments most commonly used. However, they can be inconvenient to take and may produce negative side effec
