Introduction

Nerve pain is annoying, relatively common and can be a challenge to treat. We often think of the body as a “macro” system, or how things in the body work on a structural level. The “micro” or biochemical environment tends to be neglected. To address environmental deficits in nerve pain, the proper nutrition for nerve pain is needed.

Nerve Pain

Through years of performing ultrasound, electromyography and nerve conduction studies, FIT has come to understand nerve pain. The most common area of nerve compression is at the carpal tunnel, in which the median nerve is compressed. This type of compression causes hand numbness, but there are many other areas of compression that can cause nerve pain. For example, nerves can be compressed at the neck, shoulder, elbow, low back, hip, knee, and ankle.  With the use of ultrasound, we can assess for “macro” compression of the nerve. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies allow us to get some ideas of what is going on at the “micro” scale. For treatment, we have also implemented many treatment strategies for patients over the years. At the “macro” level, hydrodissection, prolotherapy, and surgery are the best means to fix the structural nerve pain issue. On the “micro” scale, nerves need nutrition to function properly and heal. Nerves are living tissue and contain cells that need resources to function correctly and heal damage. Research supports and patients anecdotally report benefit with supplements targeted towards nerve pain relief.

Neurochondria by Thorne Research 

Neurochondria is a formulation for nerve support that includes methylated folate and B12 (critical for nerve function). Folate and B12 that is not methylated may not enter into the nerve cell to relieve nerve pain. In addition, Neurochondria addresses many issues that can lead to nerve pain:

  • antioxidant protection (glutathione and R-lipoic acid), which reduce inflammation around the nerve.
  • neurotransmitter synthesis (acetyl-L-Carnitine), which helps with nerve signaling
  • mitochondrial function (Coenzyme Q10), which helps with nerve energy
  • cell membrane health (phosphatidylserine), which helps with nerve cell wall repair

Supplements in Medicine

Supplements are back in the front seat of medical care considering the side effects of medications that are used to treat nerve pain. Many types of supplements exist for purchase; however, you must be careful in the brand you choose. Not all supplements contain the active ingredient advertised, and many supplement contain other fillers that may be harmful. With a few exceptions, FIT recommends Thorne Research brands which is also preferred by researchers, the Mayo Clinic and the Olympic Sports Committee. At FIT we have treated patients with Thorne products, rechecked lab work and noticed a significant improvement in lab values.

Summary

If you are dealing with nerve pain or fascial pain, it may be worth trying to heal the nerve problem instead of masking it with medication. While treatment on the “macro” level is needed with a hydrodissection, prolotherapy, or surgery, we must also be sure to treat the nerve pain on a “micro” level with nutrition. For nerve pain, research-grade Neurochondria is our pick.