Headaches & Nerve Pain
Neuralgia & Nerve Pain
Sharp, burning or electric pain following the course of a nerve.
Also called: Nerve pain.
Nerve pain has a different quality from joint or muscle pain — it is often described as sharp, burning, electric, or shooting, and it tends to follow the path of a specific nerve rather than staying in one spot.
Causes range from mechanical irritation along the nerve's path to conditions that are entirely medical, so the same description of pain does not always point to the same underlying cause.
Why this matters
Nerve pain commonly disturbs sleep and is often described as more distressing than mechanical pain of similar intensity, which can affect mood and daily function beyond the physical symptom itself.
Because the causes vary so widely, understanding the pattern and timeline of the pain is an important part of deciding what kind of evaluation or referral is appropriate.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Nerve pain can reflect heightened sensitivity of the nervous system as a whole, not only irritation at a single point, so the picture is broader than just the nerve where the pain is felt.
This is why the assessment looks at how the nervous system is responding overall, alongside identifying whether there is a specific site of irritation along the nerve's path.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Headaches — Headaches have many drivers. Understanding which ones apply to you is the point of the evaluation.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
- Cervicogenic Headache — Headache arising from structures in the neck.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.