What does nerve pain feel like? Signs you may have neuropathy
Quick answer: Nerve pain (neuropathy) typically feels like a burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like sensation, often accompanied by tingling, numbness, or extreme sensitivity to touch. It most commonly affects the hands and feet, but it can occur anywhere in the body. Symptoms can be mild or severe, and they often worsen at night.
That burning sensation in your feet that keeps you up at night. The strange tingling in your hands that just won't go away. The sharp, shooting pain that comes out of nowhere. These are all signs that something may be wrong with your nerves — and they're more common than you'd think.
Neuropathy, or nerve pain, affects millions of adults across the country. It can develop gradually or come on suddenly, and for many people, it's one of the most frustrating types of pain to deal with precisely because it doesn't always have an obvious cause. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we see patients with neuropathy regularly, and we know how much it can affect your daily life. That's why we put together this guide — to help you understand what nerve pain is, what causes it, and what you can do about it.
What is neuropathy and what causes nerve pain?
Neuropathy is a disturbance in the function of one or more nerves. Your peripheral nerves — the ones outside your brain and spinal cord — carry messages between your body and your central nervous system. When those nerves are damaged or malfunction, they start sending the wrong signals, producing the pain, numbness, and strange sensations that people with neuropathy experience.
The most common cause is diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of people with diabetes develop some form of neuropathy. But diabetes isn't the only culprit. Other common causes include:
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Infections like shingles, Lyme disease, or HIV
Chemotherapy drugs, which can damage peripheral nerves as a side effect
Vitamin deficiencies, particularly B-1, B-6, and B-12
Alcohol use disorder, which interferes with nutrient absorption
Physical trauma or injury that compresses or severs nerves
Kidney, liver, or thyroid conditions
In some cases, no clear cause can be found — this is called idiopathic neuropathy. Our neuropathy treatment services at DFW Interventional Pain Institute cover a wide range of these underlying causes, so you don't need a definitive diagnosis before reaching out for help.
What does nerve pain feel like? Common symptoms of neuropathy
One of the reasons neuropathy can be so confusing is that it doesn't feel the same for everyone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, people commonly describe nerve pain as a stabbing, shooting, or burning sensation — kind of like an electric shock. Others describe it as "pins and needles," pressure, or a strange numbness that makes it feel like they're wearing gloves or socks when they're not.
Here are the most common neuropathy symptoms to watch for:
Burning or stabbing pain, especially in the feet or hands
Tingling or "pins and needles" that may spread upward into the legs or arms
Numbness or a loss of sensation
Extreme sensitivity to touch — even a bedsheet can feel painful
Muscle weakness or loss of coordination
Pain during activities that shouldn't hurt, like walking or resting
Symptoms that worsen at night
If you've noticed muscle twitching alongside your nerve pain, that's another signal that your nerves may be irritated and worth having evaluated.
Types of neuropathic pain: what kind do you have?
Not all nerve pain is the same. Understanding the type of neuropathy you're dealing with helps guide treatment. The most common types include:
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form. It affects the nerves in the hands and feet first, producing the classic burning and tingling sensations that many people associate with diabetic nerve pain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 30% of all neuropathy cases are diabetes-related.
Mononeuropathy involves damage to a single nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome — the compression of the median nerve in the wrist — is one well-known example.
Polyneuropathy affects multiple nerves throughout the body at once. This is the most widespread form and is often associated with systemic conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disease.
Sciatica is a specific type of nerve pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the leg. If you'd like a deeper dive into that condition, our complete guide to sciatica covers symptoms, causes, and treatment options in detail.
When to worry: red flags that mean you should seek care now
Mild, occasional tingling isn't always a reason to panic. But there are certain symptoms that signal your nerves need prompt attention. Seek medical care right away if you notice:
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hands or feet that's getting worse quickly
Loss of balance or frequent falls
Pain that's keeping you from sleeping or performing daily activities
Dropping objects you're trying to hold
Changes in your bladder or bowel function
Dizziness or fainting
The Mayo Clinic notes that early diagnosis and treatment give you the best chance of managing neuropathy symptoms and preventing further nerve damage. Don't wait and hope it goes away on its own — nerve damage that progresses without treatment can become permanent.
When should you see a pain specialist for nerve pain?
Your primary care doctor may be the first stop, but a pain management specialist has the training and tools to go deeper. If you've already tried medications or home remedies that haven't brought relief, or if your symptoms are significantly affecting your quality of life, it's time to see a specialist.
Our guide on how to find a pain management specialist in Irving, TX can help you understand what credentials to look for and what to expect from your first visit. The right specialist won't just treat your symptoms — they'll work to identify the root cause and build a strategy around your specific needs.
How DFW Interventional Pain Institute treats neuropathy
At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we treat diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, sciatica, pinched nerves, and other forms of nerve pain using a comprehensive, patient-first approach. Here's what that looks like in practice.
A thorough evaluation first
We don't guess. Dr. Edrick Lopez, our double board-certified, Harvard-trained interventional pain physician, takes the time to review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order any necessary imaging or nerve tests before reaching a diagnosis. That thorough process is the foundation of everything we do.
A treatment plan tailored to you
No two patients are the same, and neither are their treatment plans. Once we understand your specific type and severity of neuropathy, we build a personalized plan that takes your lifestyle and goals into account. That plan might include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, or a combination of approaches.
Minimally invasive procedures that target nerve pain
For cases that don't respond to conservative treatments, Dr. Lopez offers several minimally invasive options that can provide meaningful relief. These include:
Nerve blocks — targeted injections that interrupt pain signals at the source
Epidural steroid injections — for nerve pain caused by spinal compression or inflammation
Spinal cord stimulation — a device that uses mild electrical pulses to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain
Radiofrequency ablation — uses heat to block pain signals from specific nerves
Regenerative medicine — injections designed to promote natural tissue healing in affected areas (also known as regenerative therapy)
If pinched nerves are contributing to your symptoms, we'll factor that into the treatment plan as well.
You don't have to keep living with nerve pain
Neuropathy is difficult, but it's rarely hopeless. With the right diagnosis and the right treatment team, most patients see significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life. Our patient philosophy is simple: living with pain is not your only option.
If you're experiencing burning, stabbing, tingling, or numbness that's affecting your day-to-day life, we're here to help. Book an appointment with Dr. Lopez and the DFW Interventional Pain Institute team in Irving, TX today — and take the first step toward living your best life.
Frequently asked questions about nerve pain and neuropathy
What does nerve pain feel like in your feet?
Nerve pain in the feet typically feels like burning, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation, often starting in the toes and spreading upward. Some people describe it as walking on hot coals or wearing socks that aren't there. Symptoms tend to worsen at night and can make it difficult to sleep or stand for long periods.
What's the difference between neuropathy and regular pain?
Regular pain (nociceptive pain) is caused by tissue damage — a sprained ankle or a cut, for example. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or dysfunction in the nerves themselves. It often feels like burning, electric shock, or stabbing, and it can occur without any obvious injury. It's also more likely to be chronic and to resist standard over-the-counter pain relievers.
Can nerve pain go away on its own?
It depends on the cause. If neuropathy is triggered by a treatable condition — like a vitamin deficiency or a compressed nerve — symptoms can improve once the underlying issue is addressed. However, nerve pain that's left untreated or linked to progressive conditions like diabetes can worsen over time. Early evaluation is important.
What conditions cause neuropathy in the Dallas–Fort Worth area?
Neuropathy in DFW patients is most often linked to diabetes, but we also treat neuropathy caused by chemotherapy, autoimmune conditions, spinal nerve compression, physical trauma, and vitamin deficiencies. If you're unsure what's causing your symptoms, Dr. Lopez at DFW Interventional Pain Institute can help identify the source.
When is nerve pain an emergency?
Seek emergency care if your numbness, weakness, or pain is rapidly worsening, if you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, or if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat alongside nerve symptoms. These may indicate a serious neurological event that requires immediate attention.
What treatments does DFW Interventional Pain Institute offer for neuropathy?
DFW Interventional Pain Institute offers nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, regenerative medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, and psychological support. Dr. Edrick Lopez develops an individualized treatment plan for each patient based on the type, cause, and severity of their neuropathy.
