Neuralgia is a type of chronic PAIN that affects the nerves. It is often described as a sharp, shooting PAIN that can be felt in different parts of the body. The two crossword solutions for this term are sciatica (8 letters) and PAIN (4 letters). Sciatica is a type of neuralgia that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the legs. PAIN is a symptom of neuralgia, and it can range from mild to severe.