Living with pain can be life-altering. It shapes how you move, how you sleep, and even how you see yourself. Yet, not all pain is the same. Some types of pain are rooted in damaged tissues like muscles or joints, while others stem from the body’s control centre—the nervous system.
Two terms that often cause confusion are neurogenic pain and neuropathic pain. They’re closely related, but they’re not identical. Understanding the difference can help you make sense of your own symptoms, seek the right care, and explore treatment options—including alternatives such as medical cannabis.
At Medcann Pharmacy, we believe knowledge is power. By breaking down medical jargon into clear, relatable language, we give you the tools to take control of your health.
What Do “Neurogenic” and “Neuropathic” Mean?
- Neurogenic pain is a broad umbrella term. It refers to any pain that starts in the nervous system, whether the issue lies in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves.
- Neuropathic pain is a subset of neurogenic pain. It specifically describes pain caused by actual damage, disease, or malfunction of the nerves that carry signals about touch, temperature, and pain.
Think of it this way:
👉 All neuropathic pain is neurogenic, but not all neurogenic pain is neuropathic.
Example:
- A stroke is a neurological condition, but not every stroke leads to neuropathic pain.
- Diabetic nerve damage, on the other hand, is a clear case of neuropathic pain because it directly injures the nerves.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Understanding these terms isn’t just medical nit-picking—it’s vital for treatment. If doctors know whether your pain is neurological in origin or directly nerve-damage related, they can design more effective management strategies.
Patients often tell us:
“I’ve been told my pain is nerve-related, but no one explained what that really means.”
Clarifying this distinction can help you feel more confident when discussing your symptoms with healthcare professionals.
Breaking Down the Two Types
What Is Neurogenic Pain?
Neurogenic pain comes from dysfunction in the nervous system as a whole. It doesn’t always involve direct injury to the nerve itself—it can be due to faulty signals, abnormal processing, or a breakdown in communication between the brain and body.
Causes may include:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Strokes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Brain tumours
- Central pain syndrome (linked to spinal cord or brain injury)
Symptoms can feel like:
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Abnormal sensitivity to touch or temperature
- Pain with no obvious injury present
What Is Neuropathic Pain?
Neuropathic pain is a specific type of neurogenic pain caused by direct nerve damage. It occurs when the somatosensory nervous system—the part responsible for feeling touch, temperature, and pain—is injured or malfunctioning.
Common causes include:
- Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
- Shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia)
- Nerve compression from slipped discs or tumours
- Chemotherapy-induced nerve damage
- Trauma or surgery damaging nerves
Symptoms may include:
- Shooting, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain
- Numbness or reduced sensation
- Tingling (“pins and needles”)
- Increased pain at night
- Muscle weakness
Key Differences at a Glance
| Neurogenic (Neurological) Pain | Neuropathic Pain |
|---|---|
| Broad category of pain caused by nervous system dysfunction | Specific type of neurogenic pain caused by direct nerve injury/disease |
| May involve brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nervous system | Always involves the somatosensory nervous system |
| Examples: stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, brain tumours | Examples: diabetic neuropathy, shingles, chemotherapy-induced nerve pain |
| Not always linked to nerve damage | Always linked to damaged or malfunctioning nerves |
How Do Doctors Tell the Difference?
Diagnosing nerve-related pain can be tricky. Symptoms often overlap, and many patients are misdiagnosed before the real cause is uncovered.
Doctors may use:
- Medical history reviews – identifying potential triggers like diabetes or trauma
- Neurological exams – checking reflexes, sensation, and strength
- Scans (MRI or CT) – to look for brain or spinal cord abnormalities
- Blood tests – to detect underlying conditions such as diabetes or infections
Accurate diagnosis matters because the treatment path for neurological dysfunction may differ from that for nerve damage.
Everyday Impact on Patients
If you’re living with neurogenic or neuropathic pain, you’ll know it’s more than “just pain.” It affects every aspect of life:
- Sleep – restless nights due to burning or stabbing sensations
- Mobility – pain makes walking, sitting, or standing difficult
- Mental health – chronic pain often leads to anxiety and low mood
- Relationships and work – constant discomfort reduces energy and focus
Many of our patients come to Medcann Pharmacy after years of trying conventional treatments that haven’t worked or have caused difficult side effects.
Climax: Living with Nerve Pain Doesn’t Mean Living Without Options
For too long, patients in the UK have been told to “just manage” nerve pain with standard prescriptions—often strong opioids or medications with side effects. But you deserve more than that.
At Medcann Pharmacy, we believe in breaking barriers to better health. Medical cannabis is a legal, safe, and professionally supervised option for people struggling with both neurogenic and neuropathic pain.
How Medical Cannabis Can Help
Research and patient experience show that medical cannabis can:
- Reduce nerve-related pain signals – cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, helping regulate pain pathways
- Improve sleep quality – reducing nighttime flare-ups and discomfort
- Support mood and wellbeing – easing anxiety and depression linked to chronic pain
- Provide an alternative to opioids – offering relief with fewer risks of dependency
Whether your pain is broad neurological in nature or specifically neuropathic, medical cannabis may offer a lifeline.
FAQ
What is the difference between neuropathic and neurological?
Neurological refers to any condition affecting the nervous system, while neuropathic specifically refers to pain caused by nerve damage.
Is neuropathic and neurogenic pain the same?
Not quite. Neuropathic pain is one form of neurogenic pain, but not all neurogenic pain is neuropathic.
Can neuropathy be neurological?
Yes. Neuropathy is a neurological condition because it affects the nervous system.
What is the difference between neuromuscular and neuropathic?
Neuromuscular disorders affect the muscles and the nerves that control them, while neuropathic pain is nerve-damage related.
Take the First Step Today
At Medcann Pharmacy, your health, your choice is more than just words—it’s our promise. We simplify access to medical cannabis, working with qualified doctors who understand your needs.
📞 Call us today on 020 8123 8883
📧 Or email info@medcannpharmacy.co.uk
Where Relief Meets Possibility.
You don’t have to face pain alone. Let us help you explore a path to lasting relief.
