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Nerve Pain Treatment in Canberra
Helping You Move Beyond Nerve Pain
At Motion Wellness, we look at where your symptoms are felt, what they feel like, how your nervous system is functioning, and what other factors may be contributing before deciding whether conservative care is appropriate or further investigation or referral may be needed.
Where Do You Feel Nerve-Related Symptoms?
Nerve-related pain, tingling, numbness or altered sensation can occur in different areas depending on which part of the nervous system may be involved. Symptom location can provide useful clues, but nerve-related symptoms do not always follow a perfect textbook pattern.
Cervical radicular pain
Pain involving a cervical nerve root
Cervical radiculopathy
Loss of function involving a cervical nerve root
Brachial plexopathy
Disorder affecting the brachial plexus
Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
Brachial plexus affected at thoracic outlet
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Ulnar nerve affected at the elbow
Radial tunnel syndrome
Radial nerve affected near the elbow
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Median nerve affected at the wrist
Guyon canal syndrome
Ulnar nerve affected at the wrist
Lumbosacral radicular pain
Pain involving a lumbosacral nerve root
Lumbosacral radiculopathy
Loss of function involving a lumbosacral nerve root
Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Sciatic nerve in the deep gluteal region
Meralgia Paresthetica
Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve affected at the hip/groin
Common Fibular Neuropathy
Common fibular nerve near outer knee
Saphenous Neuropathy
Saphenous nerve affected around inner knee
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tibial nerve affected at the inner ankle
Superficial Fibular Neuropathy
Superficial fibular nerve affected in the distal lower leg
Understanding Nerve-Related Symptoms
1. Characteristics of Nerve-related symptoms
Nerve-related symptoms can feel different from typical muscle or joint pain. People may describe their symptoms in a number of ways. However, symptoms below do not automatically mean that a nerve is damaged or compressed.​
Shooting
A sudden, sharp sensation that may travel into an arm or leg​
Hypersensitivity
Increased sensitivity to touch, pressure or temperature.
Electric shock-like
An electric-current, jolting or shock-like sensation
Numbness
Altered or reduced sensation
Burning
A hot or searing sensation
Tingling
“pins and needles” sensation
2. Understanding Different Nerve-Related Presentations
Pain that travels into an arm or leg does not always mean that a nerve is damaged or compressed. Different nerve-related presentations can produce similar symptoms. Especially, radicular pain can occur with or without radiculopathy.
Radicular Pain
Affected Structure
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Spinal nerve root
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Dorsal root ganglion
Mechanism
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Neural Gain-of-Function (hyperexcitability and ectopic neural activity), influenced by inflammation, ischaemia or mechanical deformation
Common Presentation
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Electric, Burning, Tingling, Shooting, Sharp, Stabbing (may resemble dermatomal pattern)
Common Examples
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Disc herniation
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Spinal stenosis
Radiculopathy
Affected Structure
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Spinal nerve root
Mechanism
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Loss-of-Function of the spinal nerve root due to compression or ischemia
Common Presentation
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Reduced Sensation
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Altered Reflexes
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Muscle Weakness (Feeling Weak ≠ Neurological Weakness)
Common Examples
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Disc herniation
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Spinal stenosis
Peripheral Nerve Entrapment
Affected Structure
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Peripheral Nerves
Mechanism (Not simply a "Pinched Nerve")
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Mechanical Loading, Swelling, Local Ischaemia, Blood–Nerve Barrier Disruption, Demyelination, Abnormal Neural Activity, Neuroimmune Responses
Common Presentation
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Pain, Tingling, Numbness, Pins & Needles, Weakness, Altered Sensation (symptoms may extend beyond the expected nerve territory.
Common Examples
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Common Questions About Nerve Pain
1. What Is Nerve Pain?
“Nerve pain” is a commonly used term for pain that may be related to the nervous system. Clinically, neuropathic pain has a more specific meaning: pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain may be described as burning, shooting, electric, pricking or shock-like, and may occur alongside symptoms such as tingling, numbness or increased sensitivity. However, these symptoms alone do not necessarily mean that a nerve is damaged or compressed.
2. What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a commonly used term for pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg, but it does not describe one specific diagnosis or pain mechanism. Leg pain can arise from different clinical presentations, including radicular pain, radiculopathy or somatic referred pain. This is why pain travelling down the leg does not automatically mean that a nerve is compressed or damaged.
3. My Pain Feels Dull and Achy but Travels Into My Buttock. Does This Mean I Have a Nerve Problem?
Not necessarily. Pain can travel away from its original source (musculoskeletal structures) without a nerve being damaged or losing function. This is known as somatic referred pain.
Somatic Referred Pain
Affected Structure
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Joint (Facetogenic pain)
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Bone (Vertebrogenic pain)
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Disc (Discogenic pain)
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Muscle (Myofascial pain)
Mechanism
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Referred Nociceptive Pain (No nerve damage)
Common Presentation
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Dull, Aching, Deep, Pressure-like, Vague or Difficult to Localise
source: Ballay., et al (2026)
4. I Only Feel Numbness or Tingling When I Lift or Stretch My Leg. Does This Mean a Nerve Is Compressed?
Not necessarily. Nerves normally move and adapt as we move, but sometimes neural tissue becomes more sensitive to movement or mechanical loading. This is known as neural mechanosensitivity and may be present across different presentations, including radicular pain, radiculopathy, somatic referred pain and some peripheral nerve conditions.
Local Inflammation
Inflammatory changes may increase the sensitivity of neural tissue to mechanical loading.
Mechanical Loading
Movement-related tension or compression can influence mechanically sensitive neural tissue.
Intraneural Changes
Changes in circulation, fluid balance or swelling may influence neural tissue sensitivity.
Altered Neural Excitability
Changes in neural excitability may make symptoms more easily triggered by mechanical stimuli.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
Most nerve-related symptoms are not medical emergencies. However, new or progressive neurological changes may sometimes require prompt or emergency medical assessment. Symptoms below do not necessarily mean that a serious condition is present, but they may warrant further medical assessment.
🚨 Seek Emergency Medical Care if you develop:
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New Bladder or Bowel Dysfunction
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Numbness Around the Saddle or Genital Area
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Sudden or Rapidly Worsening Weakness
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Severe or Rapidly Progressive Neurological Symptoms
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Significant Neurological Symptoms Following Major Trauma​
🩺 See Your GP or Seek Prompt Medical Assessment if you develop:
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Progressive Muscle Weakness
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Increasing Difficulty Walking or Changes in Balance
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Loss of Hand Dexterity or Coordination
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Persistent or Progressive Loss of Sensation
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Widespread or Bilateral Neurological Symptoms
How We Help With Your Nerve Pain
1. Thorough Assessment
Every person experiences nerve-related symptom differently. Rather than simply looking for something "out of place," our assessment aims to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate management plan for you.
✔ Detailed history
✔ Movement assessment
✔ Hands-on assessment
✔ Special Test
✔ Neurological assessment
✔ X-ray if indicated
2. Understanding Your Condition & Making Sense Of Your Nerve Pain
Nerve Pain Is Rarely Influenced by One Factor Alone. We help you understand the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and recovery.
Physical & Biological Factors
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Muscles, joints, discs and nerves
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Recent injury or physical overload
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Movement and physical capacity
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Previous episodes of nerve pain
Lifestyle & Daily Activities
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Sustained postures
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Repetitive activities
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Poor sleep & diet
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Low physical activity
Thoughts & Emotions
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Stress or anxiety
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Fear of movement
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Concern about pain or imaging findings
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Previous pain experiences
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Confidence in your recovery
Nervous System Sensitivity
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Nerve-related symptoms
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Increased sensitivity to movement or touch
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Widespread or disproportionate pain
General health
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​Overall health and wellbeing
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Other medical conditions
3. Personalised Treatment
Our treatment is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Depending on your condition, care may include hands-on treatment, exercise, education and lifestyle guidance to help you move with greater confidence and return to the activities that matter most to you.
Hands-on care
Manual therapy may be used when appropriate to help improve comfort, reduce pain sensitivity, and support movement.
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Chiropractic adjustment
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Joint mobilisation
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Nerve mobilisation
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Soft tissue therapy
Exercise Rehabilitation
Individualised exercises designed to improve movement, physical capacity, and confidence.
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Stretching exercise
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Strengthening exercise
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Nerve gliding exercise
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Functional training
Lifestyle Guidance
Neck pain can be coming from various factors, including stress, sleep, activity, and work
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Stress management
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Sleep intervention
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Activity modification
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Workstation advice
Pain Science Education
Helping you better understand:
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​Your pain & symptoms
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Contributing factors
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Self-management
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Recovery strategies
Reference
Ballay, C., Mansfield, C.J., Cook, C.E., Erickson, M., McCormick, Z.L. and Remis, A. (2026) ‘Spine-related leg pain: Definitions, etiology, clinical presentation, and management’, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 85, 103623. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103623.
Dove, L., Baskozos, G., Kelly, T., Buchanan, E. and Schmid, A.B. (2024) ‘Prevalence of weakness and factors mediating discrepancy between reported and observed leg weakness in people with sciatica’, European Spine Journal, 33(11), pp. 4229–4234. doi:10.1007/s00586-024-08330-6.
Finnerup, N.B., Haroutounian, S., Kamerman, P., Baron, R., Bennett, D.L.H., Bouhassira, D., Cruccu, G., Freeman, R., Hansson, P., Nurmikko, T., Raja, S.N., Rice, A.S.C., Serra, J., Smith, B.H., Treede, R.-D. and Jensen, T.S. (2016) ‘Neuropathic pain: An updated grading system for research and clinical practice’, Pain, 157(8), pp. 1599–1606. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000492.
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Fourré, A., Monnier, F., Ris, L., Telliez, F., Michielsen, J., Roussel, N. and Hage, R. (2023) ‘Low-back related leg pain: Is the nerve guilty? How to differentiate the underlying pain mechanism’, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 31(2), pp. 57–63. doi:10.1080/10669817.2022.2092266.
Fundaun, J., Kolski, M., Baskozos, G., Dilley, A., Sterling, M. and Schmid, A.B. (2022) ‘Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Pain, 163(7), pp. e789–e811. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509.
Hage, R., Denis, C., Fourré, A., Finucane, L., Rynkowski, M., Pitance, L., Hoegh, M. and Dierick, F. (2026) ‘Stop guessing: A clinician’s guide to demystifying spine-related arm pain in primary care’, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 83, 103549. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103549.
Hennessy, O., Devitt, A.T., Synnott, K. and Timlin, M. (2025) ‘Assessment and early investigation of cauda equina syndrome: A systematic review of existing international guidelines and summary of the current evidence’, European Spine Journal, 34(4), pp. 1545–1551. doi:10.1007/s00586-025-08732-0.
Kapitza, C., Lüdtke, K., Tampin, B. and Ballenberger, N. (2020) ‘Application and utility of a clinical framework for spinally referred neck-arm pain: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study protocol’, PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0244137. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0244137.
Khorami, A.K., Oliveira, C.B., Maher, C.G., Bindels, P.J.E., Machado, G.C., Pinto, R.Z., Koes, B.W. and Chiarotto, A. (2021) ‘Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines’, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(11), 2482. doi:10.3390/jcm10112482.
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