Peripheral neuropathy happens when the nerves outside of your spinal cord are damaged. It can lead to pain and discomfort in your limbs, especially in your hands and feet.
If you’re dealing with neuropathy in your feet, you may experience a burning, tingling, or numb sensation. Not surprisingly, it can make everyday activities, such as walking or standing, feel like a challenge.
Whether your neuropathy stems from diabetes, injury, or another underlying condition, the good news is that there are ways to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Below, the Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic team shares five ways to manage neuropathy in your feet.
For many people, neuropathy is linked to diabetes. In fact, research shows that as many as 66% of people with diabetes eventually develop some form of peripheral neuropathy.
If you have diabetes, maintaining tight control of your blood sugar levels is critical for many reasons, including managing neuropathy and other diabetes-related foot issues. Even small improvements in A1C levels can slow nerve damage and reduce painful symptoms.
If your neuropathy is caused by something else, such as chemotherapy, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies (especially the B vitamins), or alcohol misuse, identifying and managing that cause is the foundation of any treatment plan.
Medications can help manage the discomfort and pain associated with neuropathy. These may include:
These medications won’t reverse nerve damage, but they can significantly reduce your symptoms.
Neuropathy often leads to numbness, making it harder to notice small injuries, such as cuts, blisters, or pressure sores. That’s why you should inspect your feet every day. Look for:
Wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water, dry them thoroughly, and moisturize to prevent cracking. Avoid going barefoot, even at home, to reduce the risk of injury.
Dr. Mahmood or Dr. Wilson may recommend specialized shoes or custom orthotics to protect your feet and improve circulation.
Custom orthotics aren’t just your run-of-the-mill shoe inserts. These are custom inserts made specifically for you. They help relieve pressure on sensitive areas of your feet, which can reduce pain and prevent further nerve damage caused by neuropathy. They also improve balance and alignment, which makes it easier and safer to walk.
Nerve health and blood flow are closely connected, so why not make a few lifestyle changes that can boost circulation and ease your symptoms?
You might consider:
Nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your feet. Not only does smoking contribute to poor circulation, but nicotine also damages your nerves. Specifically, it can halt nerve regeneration.
If you’re a current smoker, consider smoking cessation for the sake of your feet (and your overall health!)
Exercise also releases endorphins (your body’s natural painkillers) and helps lower blood sugar in those with diabetes — a double benefit for neuropathy management.
The best part? You don’t have to try a rigorous training schedule to reap the rewards. Even low-impact activities, such as walking or water aerobics, can help increase blood flow and reduce pain.
Excess weight puts additional pressure on your feet and may worsen neuropathy. Losing excess weight can also help manage your blood sugar levels.
According to research published in the journal Obesity (Silver Spring), weight loss can help stabilize and even improve certain types of neuropathy. After two years of successful dietary weight loss, participants with severe obesity showed stable intraepidermal nerve fiber density, a key marker of nerve health.
Weight loss also helped stabilize another type of neuropathy called cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, a serious complication that affects the nerves controlling heart function.
The bottom line is that losing weight can help support your nerve health.
Neuropathy can be frustrating and painful, but you’re not powerless. By partnering with our expert team in Michigan City and Chesterton, Indiana, and Lombard, Illinois, and taking consistent action, you can manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Schedule a consultation with Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic today.
