 A recent review has identified a neuropathic pain prevalence rate of 2-3 in the general population 1. Based on a Canadian population of 30 million, this means that close to one million Canadians suffer with neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult types of persistent pain to treat effectively. No more than 50 2 of patients with neuropathic pain obtain adequate relief using current treatments. This is related to the fact that there are numerous pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is now understood to involve neural responses in which both peripheral and central mechanisms contribute to the generation of spontaneous pain and evoked aspects including allodynia and hyperalgesia 3-5, Traditional approaches to neuropathic pain have involved the use of oral medications as single agents or in combination NSAIDs, opioids, anticonvulsants, tricyclic type antidepressants 6,7. Unfortunately this approach is often inadequate and accompanied by side effects. New treatments are needed for management of neuropathic pain 