My guess (and only a guess) is that the pain/tactile sensation from tattooing is inhibiting the neuropathic pain transmission. Only so many pain nerve signals can be transmitted at a time and or sensorial signals override the pain signals. It's why when you rub an area after a pain inducing trauma (i.e. a slap, a punch) the pain seems to lessen. Tactile nerve transmission are overriding some of the pain transmission. That would explain the relatively short duration of relief from the neuropathic pain that you experience.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gate-...y-of-pain/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gate-...y-of-pain/
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental.
