---
title: "What Is Peripheral neuropathy? TENS and Pain Glossary"
description: "Peripheral neuropathy is damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can cause pain, tingling or numbness, and its causes vary."
url: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/peripheral-neuropathy
publisher: Analgesic Healthcare
phone: +1-800-749-1188
contact: https://analgesic.multisites.ai/contact
---

Condition

# Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can cause pain, tingling or numbness, and its causes vary.

NINDS says peripheral neuropathy refers to the many conditions that involve damage to the peripheral nervous system, the communications network between the brain and spinal cord and all other parts of the body. University of Iowa Health Care lists neuropathic pain among types of chronic pain TENS may be used for. Numb skin matters for safety: the NHS says not to use TENS on numb areas of skin, and University of Iowa lists skin without normal sensation as a place not to use it. Ask your clinician before using TENS with neuropathy. Read [TENS units: what they are and how they work](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/guides/tens-units) and see [chronic pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/chronic-pain).

## Related terms

-   [Chronic pain](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/chronic-pain)
-   [Skin irritation](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/skin-irritation)
-   [TENS unit](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/tens-unit)
-   [Contraindication](https://analgesic.multisites.ai/glossary/contraindication)

## Sources

1.  [NINDS: Peripheral Neuropathy](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy)
2.  [University of Iowa Health Care: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS)](https://uihc.org/health-topics/transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulator-tens)
3.  [NHS: TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens/)

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