Unconventional Treatment Provides Relief for Severe Pain

WHO:

The Washington Post - Gregory Maassen, 51 years old at the time of his symptoms.

The Washington Post - Ahmet Hoke, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

WHAT:

The Washington Post - Maassen experienced a burning sensation that spread throughout his body.

The Washington Post - Maassen was diagnosed with small-fiber sensory neuropathy, a rare type of peripheral neuropathy.

The Washington Post - A skin biopsy in April 2019 confirmed Maassen's condition.

The Washington Post - Maassen raised more than $179,000 during his e-bike trip from D.C. to San Francisco.

The Washington Post - Maassen started another cross-country bike ride, expected to finish in Los Angeles, raising over $31,500 for neuropathy research.

WHERE:

The Washington Post - Maassen is from Northwest Washington, D.C.

The Washington Post - Maassen's e-bike trip route included the Lincoln Highway and various locations across the U.S.

WHEN:

The Washington Post - Maassen began experiencing symptoms more than a year before he found Dr. Hoke.

The Washington Post - Maassen bought an e-bike in September 2019.

The Washington Post - Maassen's e-bike trip from D.C. to San Francisco took place over four months in 2022.

The Washington Post - Maassen's current cross-country bike ride began in March of this year and is expected to finish on Tuesday morning.

WHY:

The Washington Post - Maassen believes his neuropathy developed from tick bites.

The Washington Post - Hoke prescribed exercise as a method to regenerate nerve fibers and improve chronic pain.

HOW:

The Washington Post - Maassen's recovery plan included medication for pain management and a regimen of exercise.

The Washington Post - Maassen used an e-bike, which has a battery and motor to assist with cycling, making it less taxing.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 05:57 UTC)

Gregory Maassen, a 51-year-old from Northwest Washington, D.C., was diagnosed with small-fiber sensory neuropathy after experiencing a burning sensation throughout his body, with a skin biopsy confirming his condition in April 2019. In 2022, Maassen completed a four-month e-bike trip from D.C. to San Francisco, raising over $179,000 for neuropathy research, and he has since started another cross-country ride that began in March of this year, expected to finish on Tuesday morning, raising more than $31,500. Neurologist Ahmet Hoke has prescribed exercise as part of Maassen's recovery plan, which includes medication for pain management, and Maassen has utilized an e-bike to make his cycling efforts less taxing.