What Is the Best Doctor for Nerve Pain? Top Specialists and What to Look For

When nerve pain hits, it doesn’t feel like a regular ache. It’s sharp, burning, electric-sometimes so bad you can’t sleep or walk. And if you’ve been to a general doctor and got nothing but painkillers, you know how frustrating that is. Nerve pain isn’t something you can just tough out. It needs a specialist who knows exactly where the nerve is damaged, how it’s firing wrong, and what actually stops it.

Who Treats Nerve Pain Best?

The best doctor for nerve pain isn’t always an orthopedic surgeon, even though many people assume it is. Nerve pain can come from the spine, from diabetes, from injury, or even from autoimmune issues. That’s why you need to know who to see based on what’s causing your pain.

For nerve pain caused by a pinched nerve in your neck or lower back-like from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis-an orthopedic spine specialist is your top choice. These doctors focus on the bones, discs, and nerves of the spine. They know how to read MRIs of nerve roots and can tell if a bone spur is pressing on your sciatic nerve. They also do nerve blocks, minimally invasive decompression, and sometimes surgery if needed.

But if your nerve pain is from diabetes, chemotherapy, or a condition like fibromyalgia, you need a neurologist. Neurologists specialize in the nervous system itself-the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. They test nerve conduction, check for small fiber neuropathy, and prescribe medications like gabapentin or duloxetine that target nerve signaling directly.

Some patients get caught in the middle. They see an orthopedist for back pain, then a neurologist for burning feet, and never get a clear answer. The truth? Many cases of nerve pain need both. That’s why the best clinics have teams: an orthopedic spine doctor and a neurologist working together.

What Makes a Doctor Good for Nerve Pain?

Not all doctors who treat nerves are equal. Here’s what separates the good from the great:

They order the right tests-not just an X-ray, but an EMG/NCS (nerve conduction study) or a skin biopsy for small fiber neuropathy.
They don’t just prescribe pills. The best doctors start with physical therapy, nerve gliding exercises, or TENS units before jumping to opioids or surgery.
They’ve treated cases like yours. If you have diabetic neuropathy in both feet, ask how many similar patients they’ve helped in the last year. A doctor who sees 50+ nerve pain cases monthly will know more than one who sees two.
They explain the cause. If your doctor says, “It’s just nerve pain,” and doesn’t tell you why it’s happening, find someone else. Nerve pain has a root cause-even if it’s hidden.

In Bangalore, clinics like Apollo Hospitals and Fortis have dedicated nerve pain units where orthopedists and neurologists review cases together. You don’t have to bounce between departments. One visit, two experts, one plan.

Common Mistakes People Make

Most people wait too long. Nerve pain doesn’t get better on its own-it gets worse. The longer a nerve is compressed or damaged, the harder it is to fix. Studies show that patients who see a specialist within 3 months of symptoms have a 60% higher chance of full recovery than those who wait a year.

Another mistake? Trusting home remedies alone. Ginger compresses or turmeric tea won’t fix a compressed nerve. They might help with inflammation, but they won’t unpinch a nerve or stop abnormal electrical signals.

And don’t assume surgery is the only option. Many people think if a doctor says “you have a bulging disc,” surgery is next. But in 80% of cases, conservative care-physical therapy, epidural injections, activity modification-works just as well, without the risks.

When to See an Orthopedic Surgeon

You should consider an orthopedic spine surgeon if:

Your pain radiates from your back or neck down your leg or arm
You have numbness or weakness in your hands or feet
You’ve had symptoms for more than 6 weeks with no improvement
Your MRI shows a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or bone spur pressing on a nerve

These are structural problems. Medications can mask the pain, but they won’t fix the pressure on the nerve. That’s where surgery-or a minimally invasive procedure like a microdiscectomy-comes in.

Surgeons in Bangalore now use tools like endoscopic spine surgery. It’s done through a tiny incision, takes less than an hour, and most patients walk out the same day. Recovery is weeks, not months.

Orthopedic specialist and neurologist reviewing an MRI together in a hospital.

When to See a Neurologist

Go to a neurologist if:

Your pain is burning, tingling, or feels like needles in your skin
You have pain in both feet or hands at the same time
You have diabetes, thyroid issues, or are on chemotherapy
You’ve lost balance or feel like you’re walking on cotton

Neurologists check for conditions like diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia (after shingles), or CIDP (chronic inflammatory neuropathy). They use nerve conduction tests to measure how fast signals travel. If the signal is slow or weak, they know the nerve is damaged-and how badly.

They also prescribe drugs that calm overactive nerves: pregabalin, gabapentin, amitriptyline. These aren’t painkillers. They change how your nerves send pain signals to your brain.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Don’t walk in blind. Bring:

A list of all your symptoms: where they start, what makes them worse, when they started
A record of all medicines you’ve tried, even OTC ones
Any imaging you’ve had-MRI, CT, X-ray-even if it was done elsewhere
Your medical history: diabetes, injuries, surgeries, autoimmune diseases

At the appointment, expect a physical exam. The doctor will test your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensitivity to light touch or temperature. They might tap your knee to check your reflex or brush your foot with a cotton swab to see if you feel it.

If they suspect nerve damage, they’ll order an EMG/NCS. It’s not fun-it involves small electrical pulses-but it’s the gold standard for diagnosing nerve problems. Results come in 2-3 days.

What Doesn’t Work for Nerve Pain

There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Here’s what to ignore:

Chiropractic adjustments for nerve pain-unless it’s clearly from a spinal misalignment, most nerve pain won’t improve from popping your back.
Long-term opioid use-they don’t work well for nerve pain and carry serious risks.
“Miracle” supplements-no pill, powder, or oil has been proven to cure neuropathy.
Waiting for it to “go away”-nerve damage accumulates. Early action saves function.

Healing nerve pathway with symbols of treatment: therapy, medication, and spinal decompression.

How to Find the Right Doctor in Bangalore

Start with referrals. Ask your primary doctor, pharmacist, or even other patients. Look for doctors who:

Are board-certified in orthopedics or neurology
Have a subspecialty in pain or spine/nerve disorders
Work in a hospital with a dedicated pain or neuropathy clinic
Offer both medical and physical therapy options

Check their experience. A doctor who’s published research on diabetic neuropathy or performed 50+ endoscopic spine procedures has deeper knowledge than one who just takes insurance.

In Bangalore, clinics like Manipal Hospital’s Pain Management Unit or Narayana Health’s Neurospine Center have multidisciplinary teams. You get a neurologist, physiotherapist, and pain specialist all reviewing your case.

Real Recovery Stories

One patient, a 52-year-old teacher from Whitefield, had burning feet for 14 months. She tried Ayurveda, acupuncture, and pain patches. Nothing worked. A neurologist found she had small fiber neuropathy from prediabetes. She started on gabapentin, lost 8 kg, and within 6 months, the pain dropped by 80%.

Another, a construction worker with leg pain after a fall, was told to “take rest.” An orthopedic spine specialist found a disc pressing on his L5 nerve. He had a 45-minute endoscopic procedure. Two weeks later, he was back on site-no pain, no cane.

These aren’t rare cases. They’re common outcomes when you get the right specialist early.

What’s Next After Diagnosis?

Once you know what’s causing your nerve pain, the plan is simple:

Stop the damage (control blood sugar, avoid repetitive strain, treat inflammation)
Relieve pressure (physical therapy, injections, or surgery if needed)
Calming the nerves (medications that target nerve signals)
Rebuilding function (exercise, balance training, mobility work)

Recovery takes time. But nerve pain isn’t a life sentence. With the right doctor and the right plan, most people get their life back.

Can a general physician treat nerve pain?

A general physician can help with mild, short-term nerve pain-like from sitting too long. But if the pain lasts more than 2 weeks, is sharp or burning, or affects your mobility, you need a specialist. General doctors don’t have the tools or training to diagnose nerve damage accurately. Delaying a specialist visit can lead to permanent nerve injury.

Is nerve pain the same as muscle pain?

No. Muscle pain feels dull, achy, and tight-it’s worse with movement and eases with rest. Nerve pain is sharp, shooting, tingling, or burning. It can happen without movement, even at night. It often follows a path, like down the leg or into the fingers. Muscle pain responds to massage and heat. Nerve pain needs targeted nerve treatments.

Can nerve pain be cured completely?

It depends on the cause. If the nerve was pinched for a short time-like from a slipped disc-removing the pressure can lead to full recovery. But if the nerve has been damaged for years, like in advanced diabetes, full healing isn’t always possible. However, most people can reduce pain by 70-90% and regain function with the right treatment. The goal isn’t always a cure-it’s control and quality of life.

Do I need an MRI for nerve pain?

Not always. If your pain is from diabetes or a known injury, a nerve conduction test might be enough. But if you have back or neck pain with leg or arm symptoms, an MRI is usually needed to see if a disc, bone, or ligament is pressing on a nerve. Most specialists will order one if symptoms last beyond 4-6 weeks.

What’s the difference between an orthopedist and a neurologist for nerve pain?

An orthopedist focuses on bones, joints, and structures that compress nerves-like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. A neurologist focuses on the nerves themselves-how they’re damaged, how signals travel, and what medications calm them. If your nerve pain comes from spine structure, see an orthopedist. If it’s from disease or nerve degeneration, see a neurologist. Many cases need both.