Tingling, Numbness, and Burning: Decoding Chronic Pain

Living with tingling, numbness, or burning sensations can degrade your quality of life, leaving you feeling isolated and desperate for relief. In your search for answers, you might wonder what is really at the root of your pain. So many doctors you see can offer traditional pain solutions, but they just seem like bandaids that have risk of side effects, recovery times, and endless medical expenses. Still... you might wonder if it is worth it. You might have got here because you're still looking for answers. 

We're here to help ensure chronic pain doesn't take over your daily life. We'll help you identify whether the pain you're struggling with is neuropathic or mechanical and if Scrambler Therapy™ is the revolutionary treatment that can help you get back to all the things you love in life!

Chronic Pain Vs Acute Pain?

Understanding the difference between chronic and acute pain is needed to take the necessary steps to get help to take the pain away. While all pain can be excruciating, some types linger long beyond the other and can wreak havoc on your life. 

What is Acute Pain?

Acute pain is your body's immediate response to an injury or illness. It's a sharp, sudden sensation triggered by a specific event, such as a cut, burn, or fracture. When you experience acute pain, your nervous system sends rapid signals to your brain, alerting you to potential harm. This type of pain typically comes with pretty instant visible signs like swelling, redness, inflammation, and bruising, indicating that your body is actively healing the affected area. Acute pain resolves as the body heals, and it is managed with treatments to reduce inflammation and promote recovery.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is much different. It persists for months or even years, long after the initial injury has healed. Conditions like arthritis, nerve damage, and back problems are common sources of chronic pain. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain involves prolonged activation of the nervous system. Nerve fibers continue sending pain signals to your brain even without an active injury. This ongoing pain signaling leads to heightened sensitivity and incredible discomfort, making everyday activities feel unbearable. Chronic pain has a huge emotional toll that can cast a shadow across your life, adding to the total impact. 

Identifying Types of Chronic Pain Such as Neuropathic Or Mechanical Pain

Chronic pain can be categorized into several types, each affecting your body in distinct ways and for different reasons. Here are a few we wanted to cover with you today: 

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. It can result from conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or nerve injuries. Your nerves send faulty signals to your brain, making you feel tingling, burning, and numbness without an obvious cause. 

Oncologic Pain

Oncologic pain is associated with cancer and its treatments. It can result from the tumor itself pressing on bones, nerves, or other organs, or from the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. 

Mechanical Pain

Mechanical pain, often referred to as musculoskeletal pain, stems from damage to the muscles, ligaments, or joints. Common conditions include arthritis, herniated discs, and muscle strains. This type of pain is usually worsened by movement and can greatly limit your mobility. Scrambler Therapy™ is limited in treating this type of pain.

Common Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain

• Tingling or "Pins and Needles" Sensations: This uncomfortable feeling starts in your hands or feet, creating a sensation as if you’re being pricked by tiny needles. It can make everyday tasks, like typing or walking, extremely unpleasant.

• Numbness: A loss of sensation in the affected areas. You might not feel a touch, pressure, or even temperature changes, which can lead to a sense of disconnection from your body.

• Burning Pain: This is a persistent, searing pain that feels like your skin or deeper tissues are on fire or a lighter is being held to the skin. It can occur in any part of your body, making even rest and relaxation difficult.

• Shooting or Electric Shock-like Pain: Sudden, sharp pains that shoot down your arms or legs can catch you off guard, causing intense discomfort and anxiety about when the next jolt might strike.

• Increased Sensitivity: Even light touches or mild temperatures can cause extreme pain. This hypersensitivity, known as allodynia, can make wearing clothes or feeling a breeze agonizing.

• Weakness or Paralysis: Damage to your nerves can lead to muscle weakness or even paralysis in severe cases. This affects your ability to perform basic activities, adding to the frustration and feelings of helplessness.

Common Symptoms of Oncologic Pain

• Persistent Aching: This is a continuous, dull pain that doesn’t seem to go away. It can be constant or fluctuate in intensity, often making it hard to concentrate or find relief.

• Sharp, Stabbing Pain: You can experience sudden, intense pain in specific areas. This sharp pain can be triggered by certain movements or seemingly appear out of nowhere, causing intense waves of distress.

• Burning Sensation: Similar to neuropathic pain, a burning sensation can affect areas impacted by cancer or its treatment. It feels like your skin is constantly on fire.

• Deep, Throbbing Pain: When cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause a severe, throbbing pain that penetrates deeply, often interfering with everything from sleep to normal daily activities.

• Electric Shock-like Pain: Chemotherapy can damage nerves, leading to sharp, shooting pains that feel like electric shocks. These sudden jolts of pain can occur unexpectedly, making simple tasks like reaching for an object or even slight movements excruciatingly painful. This type of pain disrupts daily activities and can add to the emotional and physical burden of dealing with cancer.

• Pressure or Fullness: Tumors pressing on organs or other structures can create a sensation of intense pressure or fullness. This can be incredibly uncomfortable and may cause additional symptoms like nausea or difficulty breathing.

Common Symptoms of Mechanical Pain

• Stiffness: This is often felt in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Your joints or muscles feel rigid, making it hard to move freely. This stiffness can gradually improve with movement but often returns after rest.

• Localized Pain: You may experience pain in a specific area, such as your lower back, neck, or knees. This pain is usually related to movement or certain positions.

• Aching or Throbbing: This type of pain can be persistent and dull, creating a continuous, uncomfortable sensation. It often worsens with activity and can make simple tasks, like walking or lifting objects, challenging.

• Muscle Weakness: Damage or strain in your muscles can lead to a feeling of weakness, making it difficult to perform tasks that require strength. This weakness can affect your stability and increase the risk of further injury.

• Swelling and Inflammation: Injuries or conditions affecting your joints or muscles can cause noticeable swelling and inflammation. This can lead to a feeling of tightness and heat in the affected area.

It’s important to not use this article to diagnose yourself, but to use it as a tool to help you evaluate what is happening in your body so you can seek out the medical attention you need. It’s also important that you know all of your options when it comes to treatment so you can navigate the conversation in the way that resonates best with you.

Treatment Options and Side Effects for Chronic Pain

Choosing the right treatment for chronic pain can be daunting, especially when considering the risks and benefits. Each option has its unique positives and negatives, some of which can be a big "NO" from you, depending on your situation. From huge costs, low effective rates, and even addiction, it's important to go into conversations with your medical provider with a great base knowledge of your options so you can tailor the conversation to get exactly what you feel is best for you!

From the comparison chart, you can see just how innovative and safe Scrambler Therapy™ truly is. It’s FDA approved and has re-shaped the lives of so many chronic pain sufferers who lost their zest for life while trying to deal with the tingling, numbness, and burning sensations that they just couldn’t escape. Scramble Therapy resolves the burning pain and a heavy decrease in the numbness and tingling once the burning pain subsides.

Want to find out more? Check out our FAQ blog here and talk to your doctor about access to Scrambler Therapy™!