Therapy

Before a therapeutic measure can be selected, a comprehensive diagnostic procedure should be performed to rule out other diseases and to identify the affected nerve. The treatment of neuralgia does not result in freedom from pain for all patients. The German Pain Society has developed certain therapeutic goals to guide the treatment.

Thus, the pain should be reduced by 30 to 50 %, the quality of life and sleep should be improved and participation in professional and social life should be ensured. Before starting therapy, patients should first change their lifestyle, avoid alcohol and cigarettes as far as possible, allow themselves enough rest and avoid stress and illness. One possibility for the treatment of nerve pain is to take medication.

Here, various painkillers, medication against depression antidepressants and epilepsy medication so-called anticonvulsants are used. Strong painkillers such as morphine are used for pain like attacks. The use of antidepressants and anticonvulsants makes sense because they intervene at various points in the pain process.

Anticonvulsants reduce the excitability of the nerves and thus lower the pain threshold, while antidepressants influence the processing of pain. Often a combination of the different groups of drugs is most appropriate. Other treatment approaches include physiotherapy and osteopathy, which target the musculoskeletal system and attempt to relieve tension or poor posture.

In this way, the irritation of the affected nerve can be eliminated and the pain relieved. Alternative medical procedures also have many followers in the therapy of nerve pain. Some doctors use acupuncture or homeopathy to treat the causes of neuralgia or the pain itself.

Acupuncture in particular can relieve tensions that irritate the nerve. Surgical treatment of neuralgia is rarely necessary or even possible. Cutting or irradiating nerves is delicate, as all functions of the treated nerve can be lost.

Only in the case of trigeminal neuralgia is surgery used comparatively frequently, as the patient’s suffering pressure is just about compatible with the consequences of the operation. Even from the point of view of experienced homeopaths, neuralgia must primarily be treated by a physician. However, this doctor can use the homeopathic natural remedies as a supportive therapeutic element.St.

John’s wort is a herbal remedy that has already proven itself in the treatment of mild depression. It is taken in the form of a capsule or applied as an oil to the painful areas. Other herbal remedies that can be used for neuralgia are cantharis (Spanish fly) and cedron (bitter achene).

Cyclamen (cyclamen) and Verbascum (mullein) are said to provide relief from trigeminal neuralgia. Certain Schüssler salts are also said to have a healing effect on neuralgia. This concerns the salt Calcium phosphoricum (No.

2) and Ferrum phosphoricum (No. 3), the salt Potassium phosphoricum (No. 5), as well as the salts Magnesium phosphoricum (No.

7) and Silcea (No. 11). Many homeopaths recommend various relaxation techniques in addition to herbal remedies, as patients with neuralgia often suffer from stress.

Possibilities here are Yoga, autogenic training or meditation. The Baunscheidt therapy is often mentioned in the context of the treatment of neuralgia, but is not recommended from the viewpoint of orthodox medicine. In this form of therapy tiny wounds are pricked into the skin with needles, to which various oils and solutions are then applied. The skin and the surrounding tissue should thus be supplied with more blood, but the wounds offer the possibility for many germs to penetrate and cause infections.