Do Muscle Relaxers Help with Nerve Pain

Muscle relaxers are commonly prescribed to ease spasming or tight muscles, but can they help with nerve pain? The connection is not as straightforward as it seems. Comprehending how these medicines work, and when they are effective, could make a huge difference in your treatment plan. The answer might not be what you expect, so let’s take a closer look.

What are Muscle Relaxers?

Muscle relaxers are medications used to address acute muscle pain and discomfort caused by muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions caused by excessive muscle strain and are often associated with neck and lower back pain.

Medicines used as muscle relaxers differ in their chemical structures and mechanisms of action. Generally, muscle relaxers act as a CNS depressant and cause sedative effects or prevent your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain.

The most commonly prescribed muscle relaxers are Carisoprodol, sold under the brand name Soma, and others. According to data from IMS Health, there were about 4.2 million prescriptions of Carisoprodol (Soma) dispensed in the US in 2017 [1].

Understanding Nerve Pain

Nerve pain, medically referred to as neuropathic pain, is a type of pain caused by dysfunction or damage to the nervous system. Unlike other forms of pain that arise from inflammation or physical injury, nerve pain occurs from disrupted signals within the nerves themselves. This can lead to unusual sensation including pain, in the absence of any obvious physical cause [2].

Nerve pain has been described as feeling like [3]

• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Tingling
• A burning sensation
• An electric shock
• Pins and needles.

Do Muscle Relaxers Help With Nerve Pain?

Muscle relaxers are mainly used to ease muscle spasms, tightness and related discomfort. While they don’t directly address nerve pain as anticonvulsants or certain antidepressants do, they can offer effective relief when muscle tension leads to or intensifies nerve pain.

How Do Muscle Relaxers Work to Relieve Nerve Pain?

Some of the ways in which muscle relaxers may be helpful in treating nerve pain are [4] –

Reduce muscle spasms

Spasms are sudden, involuntary contractions that can lead to significant pain and interfere with your everyday life. They often occur when inflamed or damaged nerves send irregular signals, prompting the muscles to contract abnormally. This can lead to a recurring cycle of pain, stiffness, and nerve irritation.

Muscle relaxers help to interrupt this cycle. By blocking the nerve signals responsible for triggering spasms, they calm the affected muscles. This not only reduces discomfort but also allows the nervous system to rest and resume normal function.

Relax Muscles to Reduce Tension

Muscle relaxers can reduce excessive muscle tension. When muscles remain tight or are constantly contracted, they can put pressure on nearby nerves, aggravating nerve pain. Muscle relaxants relieve this pressure by helping these muscles relax, which can alleviate pain and improve range of motion.

This benefit is particularly crucial in conditions like a herniated disc, pinched nerves, or sciatica. In these cases, surrounding muscles often become tight in response to pain or instability, further intensifying nerve compression. Relaxing tense muscles not only alleviates discomfort but also reduces strain on the nervous system, thereby creating a favorable environment for healing and recovery.

Reduces stress and anxiety

Chronic pain can also affect your mental well-being. Ongoing pain and discomfort can lead to stress and anxiety, which in turn intensifies muscle tension and make th body more prone to pain. This creates a difficult cycle where pain feeds anxiety, and anxiety heightens pain.

Some muscle relaxers that act on the central nervous system produce sedative effects that help calm both the body and the mind. By reducing sympathetic nervous system overactivity, these medications help alleviate muscle tension and reduce pain perception.

Improve Blood Flow

Spasming or tense muscles can limit blood circulation in the surrounding areas, creating additional challenges for healing. When proper flow is restricted, nerves may not receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to recover, potentially intensifying nerve pain and long-term discomfort.

Muscle relaxants help by easing tension, which allows blood vessels to dilate and restore healthier blood circulation. Improved blood circulation supports tissue repair and reduces inflammation, both of which are important for managing chronic painful conditions.

Improved circulation can also help flush toxins and byproducts of inflammation, offering additional relief to affected areas and promoting a faster, more effective healing process.

Helps in Muscle Recovery

When muscles are constantly tight, the healing process slows down. This is especially challenging for people with nerve pain associated with sprains, strains, or postural imbalances. Muscle relaxers can help ease this tension, allowing your body to recover more effectively.

When to Consult a Doctor About Muscle Relaxers for Nerve Pain

Muscle relaxants can be effective for managing nerve-related pain and discomfort, but they are not appropriate for every individual. Consulting a health care professional is important before starting any muscle relaxant, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions, take other medicines, or are dealing with persistent nerve pain that is not improving.

When you should consult a healthcare provider:

Uncertain cause of pain: A healthcare provider can help determine if your nerve pain is linked to muscle tension or if other treatments like nerve-specific medications, nerve blocks, or physical therapy might be more beneficial.

Persistent symptoms: Ongoing nerve pain may be a sign of serious issues such as peripheral neuropathy, herniated discs, or diabetic nerve damage that require targeted care.

Existing health concerns or medications: Muscle relaxers can worsen certain health conditions or interact with other medications, so medical guidance is essential.

Risk of adverse effects: Prolonged use of muscle relaxers is generally discouraged due to potential risks like dependency, drowsiness, or liver strain.

Note: Seeking medical advice ensures that you receive the most effective treatment.

Other Options For Nerve Pain

Treatment for nerve pain is determined based on the underlying cause of the pain. There are several types of treatment for nerve pain, including [5]:

Medications: Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for nerve pain are over-the-counter medicines to reduce inflammation (NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen), prescription pain medications like Pregabalin capsules or Gabapentin, anticonvulsants (antiseizure medications) or certain antidepressants.

Nerve blocks: This includes injecting a steroid, pain medication or local anesthetic into the affected area. Nerve blocks provide temporary relief.

Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to alleviate nerve pain. A surgeon can remove or repair the damaged nerves to help reduce or eliminate nerve pain.

Lifestyle treatments: Occupational therapy, physical therapy, massage therapy, stress reduction, or mental health counseling may all be recommended for managing nerve pain. Your medical provider may also discuss lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms of nerve pain.

Conclusion

Muscle relaxers can be helpful when tight or spasming muscles are adding pressure to irritated nerves but they are not a direct fix for nerve pain itself. They work best as short-term support alongside treatments that address the root cause of the problem. Talking with a healthcare provider can help ensure you are using them safely and effectively for lasting relief.