What is Neural Therapy?

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Neural therapy has become a widely used modality in the treatment of acute and chronic pain and can be useful in many types of musculoskeletal complaints that are not responsive to other treatments. Also known as therapeutic local anesthesia, neural therapy uses diluted local anesthetics for diagnosis and therapy. The purpose is to positively affect the organisation of the nervous system to minimise a patient’s pain response.

 

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What conditions can benefit from neural therapy?

 

Research has shown that neural therapy can be effective in lower back pain, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and fibromyalgia in combination with an exercise program.

Neural therapy has also been shown to significantly assist with chronic post-operative pain.

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How does neural therapy work?

 

The therapy involves 3 to 5 injection sessions over a few weeks. Injections are done with small needles and performed locally (around the painful site) and segmentally (the corresponding spinal segmental level). The injection sites are only at a skin level as the aim is not to achieve anesthesia. If clinically relevant, your doctor might add trigger point injections and any scar tissue injections during the sessions.

 

Can everyone use neural therapy?

 

While very safe, this therapy is not recommended for the following conditions:

• Pregnancy

• Cancer

• Bleeding disorders

• Local anesthetic allergy

• Certain type of cardiac arrhythmias

• Skin infection at the injection site

 

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