Can intercostal neuralgia be cured

In some patients, neuralgia can cause severe, debilitating pain that makes it difficult to move and breathe. If you are experiencing unexplained, severe pain in your rib cage, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe shortness of breath, it is important to seek immediate medical care.

Injury and inflammation of the nerves, muscles, cartilage and ligaments in the rib cage and middle spine area can cause this condition. Other causes may include pregnancy, chest or rib injury, surgery and viral infections such as shingles. Any chest wall pain, whether experienced by itself or with other symptoms, should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

Thoracic procedures such as intercostal nerve blocks can be used. During the treatment, a local anesthetic or corticosteroid is injected around the affected nerves.

Patches containing capsaicin are also available. The cream or patches can be applied to the chest or back to reduce pain. Lidocaine is an anesthetic that has a temporary numbing effect when applied to the skin. Lidocaine is available in gel, ointment or patch form. Stretches Several stretches can also reduce intercostal neuralgia pain: Stand with arms at the sides and elbows bent at a degree angle; move arms backward while bringing shoulder blades together.

Hold for 10 seconds; repeat. Stand tall with spine straight, and breathe as deeply as possible. Repeat five times. Sit or stand with arms straight over the head, and grasp hands together. Keep elbows locked. Bend to one side and hold for 10 seconds. Relax, and then repeat on the opposite side. Lifestyle modifications Certain lifestyle modifications can reduce nerve pain, including pain caused by intercostal neuralgia: Exercising releases endorphins which naturally reduce pain.

Regular exercise also improves blood flow and expands blood vessels which can help nourish and heal damaged nerves. Practicing proper sleep hygiene helps reduce pain. Nerve pain may get worse at night, so good sleep habits are necessary to help the body get as much rest as possible. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day and limiting caffeine intake are helpful habits to improve sleep and reduce pain.

Limiting alcohol use is not only good for overall health, it also is good for pain reduction. Excessive alcohol use can damage the nerves and worsen pain. Some experts advise no more than four drinks per week. Practicing meditation can reduce both stress and pain levels. The most common cause is chest surgery, during which a nerve can be damaged. In intercostal neuralgia, an intense, sharp, shooting pain is felt in the chest, which radiates from the front to the back or vice versa.

Continuous nerve pain may also be felt. The skin can be painful to the touch and there is increased sensitivity to pinprick pain. The skin may also have decreased sensitivity. If the symptoms appear following an operation, the diagnosis is usually clear.

If this is not the case, other causes must then be excluded. Therefore, an extensive neurological examination is important if you have chest pain.

Depending on the cause of your pain, your pain specialist will decide whether or not to embark on physical treatment. Based on the results of the completed pain questionnaire, additional examinations can be carried out and, apart from physical treatment, other methods of treatment will be suggested.