Painful diabetic neuropathy is characterized by intense pain. The objective was to conduct a literature review regarding the pharmacologic therapies used to relieve that pain. A literature search was conducted of six (6) data sources, in the last 12 years (1998 to 2010) using the keywords: diabetes, diabetes, painful neuropathy, neuropathic pain, treatment, and other similar terms. Thirteen articles were selected that addressed the use of acupuncture, reiki, photic stimulation, electromagnetic stimulation of neural electrical stimulation, laser therapy. The non-pharmacological therapies are being used to alleviate diabetic neuropathic pain, however, there is no consensus about the effectiveness of such treatment in reducing this pain. The knowledge base on the subject is scarce, especially in Brazil.
Diabetic neuropathies; Diabetes mellitus; Pain; Therapeutics