Alternative Health Blog

In a case series study involving 5 patients with neuropathic pain, results indicate that supplementation with omega-3 fish oil may play a role in pain management. The patients, who had different underlying diagnoses including cervical radiculopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and burn injury, received high doses of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil (varying from 2400-7200 mg/day of EPA-DHA) for up to 19 months. At intervention end, significant pain reduction was observed using both subjective and objective measures. Thus, the authors conclude, "This first-ever reported case series suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be of benefit in the management of patients with neuropathic pain. Further investigations with randomized controlled trials in a more specific neuropathic pain population would be warranted."
 
Reference:
"Omega-3 fatty acids for neuropathic pain: case series," Ko GD, Hum A, et al, Clin J Pain, 2010; 26(2): 168-72.