How to Treat Peripheral Neuropathy at Home

Peripheral nerves carry messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Damage to these nerves is called peripheral neuropathy.

It can cause numbness, tingling, burning or stabbing pain, and changes in how you sense hot and cold. Some types also cause muscle weakness or problems with digestion, bladder control or blood pressure.

Most neuropathies start in the feet and sometimes the hands, because the longest nerves are affected first. Because peripheral nerves run throughout the body, symptoms can also show up in other areas.

Living with peripheral neuropathy can be very challenging, hence, it is always recommended to consult a medical professional and follow your prescribed treatment for peripheral neuropathy. Home measures cannot cure neuropathy, but some can ease symptoms and help prevent further nerve damage alongside your medical care.

Neuropathy has more than 100 types and many causes, including diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol, some medicines and infections. Finding and treating the cause is the most important step, so see a doctor for diagnosis.

Natural ways to Treat Peripheral Neuropathy

Following are a few home measures that may ease symptoms and help prevent further nerve damage.

Exercise

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, managing diabetes, healthy eating and exercise can help prevent peripheral neuropathy and reduce symptoms in people who have it.

Exercise also helps the body manage blood sugar, which lowers the risk of diabetes and its complications.

Exercise also improves circulation. If your feet are numb, choose low-impact activities such as walking, swimming or cycling, wear well-fitting shoes, and check your feet daily for injuries.

Dietary changes

Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S., and about two thirds of people with diabetes have some nerve damage. Keeping blood sugar in your target range can slow it down.

If you have diabetes, eating in a way that keeps your blood sugar steady may help prevent neuropathy or keep it from getting worse.

A meal plan rich in fiber and lower in refined carbohydrates can help prevent blood sugar spikes. Besides, you might also want to avoid the following food items:

• sweets
• refined white flour products, such as white bread and white pasta
• processed snacks

Some other dietary changes that may benefit you with peripheral neuropathy, including:

• eating high fiber foods, like certain vegetables, nuts, and fruits
• eating antioxidant-rich food items, like walnuts, blueberries, fatty fish, and flaxseed oil
• limiting your daily consumption of sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams
• limiting the consumption of saturated and trans fats
• eliminating or reducing your alcohol intake, since heavy drinking can itself damage nerves

A poor diet can also lead to vitamin deficiencies, and vitamin B12 deficiency is a well-known cause of neuropathy.

Quitting smoking

Smoking narrows blood vessels and reduces the oxygen supply to peripheral nerves, which can contribute to nerve damage.

Smoking can also worsen nerve damage that has another cause.

Quitting improves blood flow and overall health. It is one of the best things you can do to protect your nerves.

Vitamins intake

Vitamins help when you are actually deficient. For example, treating a vitamin B12 deficiency can stop nerve damage from getting worse.

Evidence for other supplements is limited. More is not better: too much vitamin B6 can itself cause neuropathy.

According to the Foundation of Peripheral Neuropathy, the following vitamins and supplements have been studied for nerve health:

• B-complex vitamins
• Vitamin E
• Alpha-lipoic acid
• Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC)
• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Magnesium and calcium
• N-acetylcysteine
• Glutamine

Talk to your doctor before taking any of these. Supplements can interact with medicines, and your doctor can test for deficiencies first.

Adopt relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques may help you cope with ongoing pain. Meditation, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can lower stress, which can make pain feel more manageable.

Gentle yoga, tai chi and stretching may also help with stress, balance and posture. Better balance matters, because numb feet raise the risk of falls. Find what works best for you.

Going for alternative medicine

Some people try complementary approaches such as acupuncture. Research suggests acupuncture may help some types of pain, such as back, neck and knee pain. There is no scientific evidence for the energy field that Reiki is based on.

Use these only alongside your medical treatment, not instead of it, and tell your doctor what you are trying.

HP Thoughts: Sometimes we have to prepare for emergencies at home. We have a list of the most common ones that plague our everyday lives: Health Emergencies and How to Handle Them at Home.

Conclusion

Peripheral neuropathy can be painful and challenging. Alongside your medical treatment, exercise, a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking may ease symptoms and help prevent further damage.

See a doctor promptly if symptoms appear suddenly, spread quickly, cause weakness, or if you notice a foot sore that is not healing.

Sources

• Peripheral Neuropathy, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety, NCCIH
• Reiki, NCCIH