Neuropathic Pain Treatment in Granada Hills, CA
Neuropathic pain — pain caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system — is among the most difficult types of chronic pain to manage and often fails to respond to conventional medications. At Modern Pain Solutions, Dr. Jungjae Lim specializes in advanced interventional therapies designed specifically to address the underlying neural causes of this challenging condition and provide the lasting relief that medications alone rarely deliver.
What Is Neuropathic Pain?
Neuropathic pain arises when the peripheral or central nervous system itself is damaged, dysfunctional, or over-sensitized — sending persistent pain signals to the brain even in the absence of ongoing tissue injury. Unlike nociceptive pain (which signals active tissue damage), neuropathic pain represents a malfunction in the pain signaling system. It is often described as burning, stabbing, electric, or shooting, and may be accompanied by abnormal sensations such as allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli like light touch) or hyperalgesia (exaggerated response to painful stimuli).
Common causes of neuropathic pain include diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), spinal nerve compression from disc herniations or stenosis, herpes zoster (shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia), traumatic nerve injury, post-surgical nerve damage, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. At Modern Pain Solutions in Granada Hills, CA , Dr. Lim approaches neuropathic pain with a precise, targeted strategy based on the underlying mechanism and location of nerve dysfunction.
Neuropathic Pain Treatments at Modern Pain Solutions
Dr. Lim offers targeted treatments for neuropathic pain including nerve blocks and epidural interventions to interrupt pain signal transmission, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation, and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation — which are among the most effective treatments for chronic neuropathic conditions. Sympathetic nerve blocks are used for neuropathic pain with autonomic involvement. For neuropathy related to spinal compression, back and neck pain treatments and MIS procedures may also be appropriate. Contact Modern Pain Solutions at (818) 826-4145 for an evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropathic Pain
What does neuropathic pain feel like?
Neuropathic pain is typically described as burning, stabbing, electric, or shooting — often in a specific area of the body corresponding to the affected nerve’s distribution. Patients may also experience allodynia (pain from light touch, clothing, or temperature changes that would normally not be painful) and hyperalgesia (an exaggerated pain response). Numbness, tingling, and a pins-and-needles sensation are also common. These qualities help distinguish neuropathic pain from other types of chronic pain and guide Dr. Lim’s treatment approach.
What causes neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic pain can result from a wide variety of conditions and injuries that damage or alter the function of nerves. Common causes include diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia following shingles, nerve compression from herniated discs or spinal stenosis, traumatic nerve injury, post-surgical nerve damage, and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and failed back surgery syndrome also have significant neuropathic components. Dr. Lim will assess the specific cause of your neuropathic pain during your evaluation.
Why don’t standard pain medications work for neuropathic pain?
Conventional pain medications such as NSAIDs and opioids are primarily designed to address nociceptive pain — pain from tissue damage. Neuropathic pain involves a fundamentally different mechanism: abnormal nerve signaling rather than ongoing tissue injury. This is why standard analgesics are often ineffective. Medications specifically targeting nerve pain — such as gabapentinoids and certain antidepressants — may provide partial relief, but many patients still experience inadequate control. Interventional approaches at Modern Pain Solutions target the nerve dysfunction directly, often achieving results that medications cannot.
Can spinal cord stimulation help neuropathic pain?
Yes. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is one of the most effective treatments available for chronic neuropathic pain. By delivering gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord, SCS interferes with the transmission of abnormal pain signals to the brain. It is particularly effective for neuropathic leg and arm pain, failed back surgery syndrome, and CRPS. Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) offer more targeted options for localized neuropathic conditions. All are available at Modern Pain Solutions.
What is diabetic neuropathy and can it be treated?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by chronically elevated blood sugar levels, resulting in pain, burning, numbness, and tingling — most commonly in the feet and legs. While optimal blood sugar control is foundational to slowing its progression, diabetic neuropathy pain itself can be addressed with targeted interventional therapies at Modern Pain Solutions. Spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation have demonstrated effectiveness for painful diabetic neuropathy when medications provide inadequate relief.
Is neuropathic pain permanent?
Whether neuropathic pain is permanent depends on its cause, duration, and severity. Neuropathic pain from a compressed or irritated nerve — such as from a herniated disc — can often be significantly improved or resolved with appropriate treatment of the underlying compression. Neuropathy from systemic conditions like diabetes may be more persistent, though its severity can be substantially reduced with the right interventional approach. Early treatment tends to produce better outcomes. Dr. Lim will give you an honest assessment of your prognosis based on your specific diagnosis.
Can neuropathic pain result from a personal injury?
Yes. Traumatic nerve injuries — including those from car accidents, crush injuries, and surgical complications — are well-recognized causes of neuropathic pain. If your nerve pain developed following a personal injury or accident, Modern Pain Solutions can provide both expert evaluation and treatment as well as thorough medical documentation to support your legal case. We accept lien-based cases — visit our Personal Injury page for details. Call (818) 826-4145 to schedule your evaluation.
