Neuropathic pain is defined as pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction of the central or peripheral nervous systems.

In patients with peripheral neuropathic pain, the pain is a symptom of another disease that has caused nerve damage—such as a herniated disc (lower back pain), diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), cancer (neuropathic cancer pain), or herpes zoster infection (postherpetic neuralgia)—but it is recognized as a clinical condition on its own. Because the damage does not involve the brain or spinal cord, the resulting neuropathic pain is defined as peripheral.

To Learn More:

The Neuropathy Association

Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy Action Foundation

Neuropathy Support Network