IV Infusion Therapy and Chiropractic Care for Accident-Related Nerve Pain

Abstract

Nerve pain can develop after a car accident, workplace injury, fall, sports injury, or another traumatic event. Patients may experience burning, numbness, tingling, weakness, sharp pain, or electric-like sensations. Treatment depends on the source of the nerve problem. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be used for certain immune-related neuropathies. Intravenous lidocaine and ketamine infusions may temporarily reduce severe nerve pain when standard treatments have not provided enough relief. Vitamin therapy may also help when laboratory testing confirms a nutritional deficiency.

At Personal Injury Doctor Group, an integrative treatment plan may combine medical oversight, chiropractic care, functional medicine, personal injury care, and rehabilitation. This coordinated approach does not rely on one treatment alone. Instead, it focuses on identifying the cause of the symptoms, calming pain, improving movement, and helping the patient return to normal activities safely.

Understanding Neuropathy and Nerve Pain After an Injury

Neuropathy happens when nerves become injured, irritated, compressed, inflamed, or unable to function normally. The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected and how serious the damage is.

Common neuropathy symptoms include:

• Burning or stabbing pain
• Pins-and-needles sensations
• Numbness in the hands or feet
• Electric-like pain
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness
• Poor balance
• Reduced coordination
• Pain that becomes worse at night

After an accident, nerve symptoms may come from more than one source. A car crash, for example, may cause swelling around a nerve, damage to a spinal disc, joint restriction, muscle spasms, or direct trauma to the nerve itself.

Nerve pain may also be related to medical conditions that were present before the accident, including:

• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disease
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Thyroid disease
• Medication side effects
• Previous chemotherapy
• Poor circulation
• Inherited nerve disorders
• Small fiber neuropathy

This is why a complete examination is important. Treating pain without understanding its cause may provide only limited or temporary results.

Why the Root Cause Matters

Neuropathy is not one single disease. It is a group of symptoms that can develop for many different reasons.

A patient with an immune-mediated nerve disorder may need a different treatment than someone whose nerve pain is caused by a herniated disc, nutritional deficiency, diabetes, or accident-related inflammation.

A detailed evaluation may include:

• Medical history
• Accident and injury history
• Neurological examination
• Strength and reflex testing
• Sensory testing
• Balance and walking assessment
• Medication and supplement review
• Blood tests
• Imaging studies
• Nerve-conduction studies
• Referral to a neurologist or pain specialist

Clinical guidelines note that blood glucose and vitamin B12 testing can be useful during the evaluation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy (England et al., 2009).

The purpose of testing is not only to give the condition a name. It also helps the healthcare team select the safest and most useful treatment.

What Is IV Infusion Therapy?

Intravenous infusion therapy delivers medication, fluids, or nutrients directly into a vein. This allows the treatment to enter the bloodstream without first passing through the digestive system.

However, all IV infusions are not the same. IVIG, lidocaine, ketamine, fluids, and vitamin preparations have different uses, benefits, risks, and levels of scientific support.

Infusion therapy may be considered when:

• Pain is severe or difficult to control
• Oral medications have not worked well
• A diagnosed immune condition is affecting the nerves
• The patient cannot absorb nutrients normally
• Testing shows a nutritional deficiency
• Pain is limiting rehabilitation
• A specialist recommends infusion treatment

Research suggests that infusion therapies may be options for carefully selected patients with treatment-resistant neuropathic pain. These therapies should not be considered universal cures, and patients need appropriate medical screening and monitoring (McMullin et al., 2022).

IVIG for Immune-Mediated Neuropathy

Intravenous immunoglobulin contains purified antibodies collected from donated plasma. IVIG can change parts of the immune response.

This treatment may be used when a patient’s immune system is mistakenly attacking the peripheral nerves.

IVIG is commonly associated with the treatment of conditions such as:

• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
• Multifocal motor neuropathy
• Certain other immune-mediated nerve disorders

The European Academy of Neurology and Peripheral Nerve Society recommend IVIG or corticosteroids as initial treatment options for typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and recognized CIDP variants (Van den Bergh et al., 2021).

However, IVIG is not appropriate for every person with numbness, tingling, or burning pain.

A randomized clinical trial studied IVIG in patients with painful idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. The researchers did not find significant improvements in pain, function, disability, autonomic symptoms, or overall well-being when IVIG was compared with placebo (Geerts et al., 2021).

This shows why a correct diagnosis is essential. IVIG should not be used simply because a patient has nerve pain.

Before recommending IVIG, the medical team may need to review:

• Neurological test results
• Immune and inflammatory markers
• Kidney function
• Heart health
• Blood-clotting risks
• Current medications
• Previous treatment results

Possible side effects may include headache, nausea, fever, rash, fatigue, vomiting, and infusion reactions.

IV Lidocaine for Neuropathic Pain

Lidocaine is often used as a local anesthetic to numb an area before a procedure. It may also be delivered through an IV under medical supervision.

Nerves use sodium channels to produce and send electrical signals. Lidocaine blocks certain sodium channels and may temporarily reduce abnormal nerve activity.

This may help decrease:

• Burning pain
• Shooting pain
• Electric-like sensations
• Increased sensitivity
• Pain caused by light touch
• Ongoing pain signals after an injury

Research has found that IV lidocaine may provide temporary pain relief for some patients with peripheral neuropathy and other forms of neuropathic pain. However, results vary, and the treatment does not work for everyone (Gupta et al., 2021; Zhu et al., 2019).

IV lidocaine does not repair the injured nerve. It also does not remove the underlying cause of the neuropathy.

Its role is mainly to calm pain signals. This temporary reduction may help a patient:

• Sleep better
• Walk with less discomfort
• Tolerate therapeutic exercise
• Participate in rehabilitation
• Reduce muscle guarding
• Perform daily tasks more comfortably

Because lidocaine can affect the heart and nervous system, it should only be administered by qualified medical professionals with proper monitoring.

Ketamine Infusions for Severe Nerve Pain

Ketamine affects NMDA receptors, which are involved in pain processing and central sensitization.

Central sensitization occurs when the nervous system becomes overly sensitive. The brain and spinal cord may continue producing strong pain signals even after the original injury has begun to heal.

Ketamine may help interrupt part of this pain cycle.

A systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomized clinical trials involving ketamine for neuropathic pain. The researchers found that ketamine added to standard treatment was associated with short-term pain reduction. However, the overall certainty of the evidence was low because the studies used different doses, treatment schedules, diagnoses, and methods (Pereira et al., 2022).

Ketamine may also cause side effects such as:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Changes in blood pressure
• Unusual perceptions
• Feeling disconnected from the body
• Mood changes
• Drowsiness

Before treatment, the healthcare team should review:

• Heart and blood pressure conditions
• Mental health history
• Current prescriptions
• Liver and kidney function
• History of substance misuse
• Previous pain treatments
• The severity and pattern of symptoms

Ketamine may reduce pain sensations, but it does not automatically heal the injured nerve.

Vitamin Infusions and Nutritional Deficiencies

Certain nutritional deficiencies may cause or worsen nerve symptoms.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Balance problems
• Memory problems
• Fatigue
• Changes in walking

Neurological symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency may occur even when a patient does not have clear anemia (National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, 2025).

Vitamin replacement may be appropriate when testing confirms a deficiency. Patients with poor absorption, pernicious anemia, certain digestive conditions, or previous stomach surgery may require injections or another medically directed treatment.

However, IV vitamins should not be promoted as a cure for every type of nerve pain.

More vitamins are not always better. Large supplemental amounts of vitamin B6 may actually cause sensory neuropathy.

A functional medicine assessment may review:

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6 use
• Folate
• Vitamin D
• Blood glucose
• Hemoglobin A1C
• Thyroid function
• Diet quality
• Digestive health
• Alcohol intake
• Medication-related nutrient problems

Treatment should be guided by medical history and laboratory results instead of guesswork.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Nerve-Pain Treatment

IV infusion therapy and chiropractic care target different parts of the patient’s condition.

An infusion may address:

• Immune activity
• Severe pain signaling
• Hydration
• Medication delivery
• A diagnosed nutritional deficiency

Integrative chiropractic care focuses more on:

• Joint movement
• Spinal mobility
• Posture
• Muscle tension
• Mechanical stress
• Strength
• Balance
• Physical rehabilitation

Chiropractic care is not a replacement for IVIG when a patient has CIDP or another immune-mediated nerve disorder. It cannot reverse all forms of diabetic neuropathy or rebuild a severely damaged nerve.

Its role is supportive.

After an accident, restricted spinal movement, inflammation, muscle spasms, poor posture, and damaged soft tissues may place additional stress on irritated nerves. Gentle chiropractic treatment and rehabilitation may help improve movement and reduce some of this added mechanical pressure.

An integrative care plan may include:

• Gentle chiropractic adjustments
• Soft-tissue therapy
• Spinal mobility exercises
• Extremity joint treatment
• Corrective exercise
• Strength training
• Balance and gait training
• Posture education
• Ergonomic recommendations
• Nutrition support
• Sleep and recovery guidance

The goal is not to claim that one adjustment cures neuropathy. The goal is to improve the patient’s movement and physical function while the medical team addresses the diagnosed nerve condition.

Connecting Pain Relief With Rehabilitation

Temporary pain relief can be useful when it helps a patient become more active.

Severe nerve pain often causes people to avoid movement. Over time, this can lead to:

• Muscle weakness
• Joint stiffness
• Poor balance
• Reduced endurance
• Fear of movement
• Difficulty returning to work
• Reduced independence

When an infusion decreases pain, the patient may be able to participate more fully in rehabilitation.

The care team may use this period to improve:

• Spinal movement
• Core strength
• Walking tolerance
• Balance
• Flexibility
• Coordination
• Work-related movements
• Daily activity tolerance

Infusion therapy and rehabilitation should not be viewed as competing treatments. For selected patients, pain management may create a better opportunity for safe physical recovery.

A Multidisciplinary Personal Injury Care Model

At Personal Injury Doctor Group, the focus is on coordinating different parts of injury care instead of treating each symptom separately.

Clinic materials identify Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, as Board Certified in Internal Medicine. They list her NPI as #1164426749 and her Texas medical license as #J2933. She has more than 40 years of experience as an internist and serves as Medical Director and Collaborative Physician at Injury Medical Clinic PA in El Paso, Texas.

Dr. Cardenas works with Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CCST, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN.

This type of multidisciplinary structure is common in integrative and personal injury clinics. A medical doctor provides medical direction and risk review, while a chiropractor evaluates neuromusculoskeletal injuries and guides movement-based treatment.

The team may coordinate:

• Internal medicine oversight
• Chiropractic care
• Functional medicine
• Personal injury evaluation
• Pain management coordination
• Nutritional assessment
• Corrective exercise
• Physical rehabilitation
• Specialist referrals
• Progress documentation

Medical oversight is especially important when the patient has:

• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disease
• Kidney problems
• Heart conditions
• Blood-clotting risks
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Multiple prescriptions
• A possible need for infusion therapy
• Progressive weakness
• An unclear neurological diagnosis

Clinical Observations From Dr. Alex Jimenez

Dr. Jimenez’s clinical observations focus on looking beyond the painful area. His integrative approach considers how different health factors may affect the patient’s recovery.

These factors may include:

• Joint motion
• Spinal alignment
• Muscle function
• Nerve irritation
• Metabolic health
• Blood sugar control
• Inflammation
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Stress
• Physical activity
• Previous injuries

Dr. Alex Jimenez shares these clinical observations through DrAlexJimenez.com and his LinkedIn professional profile.

Clinical observations are not the same as randomized clinical trials. However, they may help explain how a multidisciplinary team organizes treatment around the patient’s overall health, injury, and ability to function.

A Step-by-Step Care Plan

A clear treatment journey may follow several stages.

Step 1: Document the Injury

The team records how the accident happened, when symptoms began, and how the condition affects daily life.

Step 2: Identify the Nerve Pattern

The evaluation may examine:

• Pain location
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Reflex changes
• Balance problems
• Walking difficulty
• Sensitivity to touch

Step 3: Search for the Cause

Testing may look for:

• Spinal nerve compression
• Disc injury
• Diabetes
• Vitamin deficiency
• Autoimmune disease
• Medication effects
• Direct nerve trauma
• Metabolic problems

Step 4: Match Treatment to the Diagnosis

IVIG may be considered for confirmed immune-mediated neuropathy. Lidocaine or ketamine may be options for selected cases of severe nerve pain. Vitamins may be replaced when a deficiency is confirmed.

Step 5: Restore Movement and Function

Chiropractic care and rehabilitation may address mobility, muscle weakness, posture, balance, and activity tolerance.

Step 6: Measure Progress

The team may track:

• Pain level
• Numbness and tingling
• Sleep
• Strength
• Balance
• Walking tolerance
• Work ability
• Daily activities
• Medication use
• Response to each treatment

Step 7: Refer When Necessary

Progressive weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe balance problems, worsening numbness, or an unclear diagnosis may require urgent medical or neurological evaluation.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Some symptoms may signal a serious condition.

Seek immediate medical attention for:

• Sudden weakness on one side of the body
• New loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness around the groin or inner thighs
• Trouble breathing
• Rapidly worsening weakness
• New facial drooping
• Severe confusion
• Sudden loss of coordination
• Severe headache with neurological symptoms
• Chest pain during or after an infusion

These symptoms should not be managed only with chiropractic treatment, vitamins, or routine pain care.

Conclusion

IV infusion therapy may help manage certain types of neuropathy and nerve pain, but treatment must match the root cause.

IVIG has an established role in selected immune-mediated nerve disorders such as CIDP. It is not a general treatment for all neuropathy. IV lidocaine and ketamine may temporarily reduce difficult nerve pain, but they do not repair the original nerve injury. Vitamin therapy may be useful when laboratory testing confirms a deficiency.

Integrative chiropractic care may support the treatment plan by improving mobility, posture, strength, balance, and physical function. This can be especially helpful when a car accident, workplace injury, fall, or other trauma has created both nerve symptoms and mechanical problems.

The multidisciplinary approach used by Personal Injury Doctor Group combines medical oversight, chiropractic care, functional medicine, personal injury services, and rehabilitation. The goal is to identify the cause of the symptoms, manage pain safely, restore movement, and help the patient return to daily activities.

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References

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Geerts, M., de Greef, B. T. A., Sopacua, M., et al. (2021). Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with painful idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. Neurology, 96(20), e2534–e2545. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000011919

Gupta, H., Patel, A., Eswani, Z., Moore, P., Steib, M., Lee, C., & Kaye, A. D. (2021). Role of intravenous lidocaine infusion in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. Orthopedic Reviews, 13(2), 25567. https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.25567

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez: Chiropractic, functional medicine, and personal injury care. Injury Medical Clinic PA.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez professional profile. LinkedIn.

McMullin, P. R., Hynes, A. T., Arefin, M. A., Saeed, M., Gandhavadi, S., Arefin, N., & Eckmann, M. S. (2022). Infusion therapy in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 26(9), 693–699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-022-01071-5

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. (2025). Vitamin B12: Fact sheet for health professionals.

Pereira, J. E. G., Pereira, L. F. G., Pereira, L. M. G., et al. (2022). Efficacy and safety of ketamine in the treatment of neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Pain Research, 15, 1011–1037. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S358070

Van den Bergh, P. Y. K., van Doorn, P. A., Hadden, R. D. M., et al. (2021). European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. European Journal of Neurology, 28(11), 3556–3583.

Zhu, B., Zhou, X., Zhou, Q., Wang, H., Wang, S., & Luo, K. (2019). Intravenous lidocaine to relieve neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 954. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00954