The Role of Inflammation in Chronic Nerve Pain—Emerging Lab Markers

The Role of Inflammation in Chronic Nerve Pain—Emerging Lab Markers

We’ve known for years that inflammation drives many chronic diseases. But only recently has its connection to peripheral neuropathy and chronic nerve pain become clear. Inflammatory neuropathies are far more common than previously recognized and they often go undiagnosed and untreated in conventional care.

In your independent or direct-pay practice, you’re in the ideal position to go beyond “idiopathic” labels and offer patients a root-cause framework for understanding and reversing their pain.

Inflammation as a Neuropathy Driver

Chronic inflammation damages peripheral nerves through:

• Disruption of microcirculation to nerve endings

• Myelin degradation

• Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress

• Autoimmune targeting of nerve fibers or supporting cells

Common triggers include:

• Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance

• Autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s, RA, lupus)

• Post-viral syndromes (including long COVID)

• Mold or environmental toxin exposure

• Hidden infections (Lyme, EBV, H. pylori)

Labs That Reveal the Inflammatory Connection

You don’t need advanced panels to begin identifying inflammation as a contributing factor. These simple markers offer real insight:

• hsCRP – general marker of chronic systemic inflammation

• ESR – useful in autoimmune-related neuropathies

• ANA, TPO antibodies – screen for autoimmune triggers

• Fasting insulin & triglycerides – reflect metabolic inflammation

• Vitamin D – often low in chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction

These labs, when paired with symptom history and a focused exam, can uncover patterns missed in standard workups.

What This Means for Patient Care

Patients are tired of being told, “Your labs are normal,” when they clearly feel unwell. Explaining the role of inflammation and showing how it’s impacting nerve health gives them hope and direction.

You can then implement non-pharmaceutical strategies:

• Anti-inflammatory nutrition

• Red/infrared light therapy

• Mitochondrial support and detoxification protocols

• Tools to reduce pain and regenerate nerve tissue

Ready to Add Inflammation-Based Neuropathy Care to Your Practice?

Book a Strategy Session with John Hayes Jr., MD and learn what protocols empower private physicians to detect, explain, and reverse nerve pain rooted in inflammation without relying on long waits or systemic meds.