Does stretching your feet help with neuropathy?

While treating the underlying problem that is causing neuropathy is the first step, exercise can help with strength, balance and range of motion. Proper stretching can help with neuropathy of the feet.


Is stretching good for foot neuropathy?

No matter how old you are or the health conditions you may have, stretching should be incorporated into your daily routine – even if you have peripheral neuropathy or nerve pain. In fact, stretching is an essential part of peripheral neuropathy treatment because it can get your blood flowing.

How does stretching help neuropathy?

Key points. Stretching decreases nerve stiffness. Peripheral nerves move and deform during stretching. Pain pressure thresholds increase following stretching.


What is the best exercise for neuropathy of the feet?

There are three main types of exercises ideal for people with peripheral neuropathy: aerobic, balance, and stretching. Before you start exercises, warm up your muscles with dynamic stretching like arm circles. This promotes flexibility and increases blood flow.
...
Aerobic exercises
  • brisk walking.
  • swimming.
  • bicycling.


How do you reverse foot neuropathy?

While you can't reverse the damage from neuropathy, there are ways to help manage the condition, including:
  1. lowering your blood sugar.
  2. treating nerve pain.
  3. regularly checking your feet to make sure they are free of injury, wounds, or infection.


Peripheral Neuropathy Relief in the Feet & Legs - Ask Doctor Jo



What is a good home remedy for neuropathy of the feet?

Natural Treatments for Neuropathy in Your Legs and Feet
  • Vitamins and Supplements. Many cases of peripheral neuropathy can be related to deficiencies of certain vitamins. ...
  • Cayenne Pepper. ...
  • Warm Baths. ...
  • Quit Smoking. ...
  • Essential Oils. ...
  • Exercise. ...
  • Meditation. ...
  • Acupuncture.


Can foot neuropathy be stopped?

Usually a peripheral neuropathy can't be cured, but you can do a lot of things to prevent it from getting worse. If an underlying condition like diabetes is at fault, your healthcare provider will treat that first and then treat the pain and other symptoms of neuropathy.

What helps neuropathy the most?

The main medicines recommended for neuropathic pain include:
  • amitriptyline – also used for treatment of headaches and depression.
  • duloxetine – also used for treatment of bladder problems and depression.
  • pregabalin and gabapentin – also used to treat epilepsy, headaches or anxiety.


What causes neuropathy to flare up?

Nutritional or vitamin imbalances, alcoholism, and exposure to toxins can damage nerves and cause neuropathy. Vitamin B12 deficiency and excess vitamin B6 are the best known vitamin-related causes. Several medications have been shown to occasionally cause neuropathy.

Can you exercise neuropathy away?

While the general benefits of aerobic and flexibility exercises are well-known, increasing movement and heart-rate are particularly important for people suffering with peripheral neuropathy. Physical activity can improve blood circulation, which strengthens nerve tissues by increasing the flow of oxygen.

Does stretching help nerve damage?

Severe cases may require medical care but for many patients, gentle exercises that target the affected area can help relieve minor nerve pain. These stretches lessen the pressure placed on the nerve and loosen the surrounding muscles. Plan to make these exercises part of your daily routine, two or three times per day.


Does wearing socks help neuropathy?

Wear soft and comfortable socks. The right kinds of socks have shown to help eliminate burning sensations and control the overall foot discomfort that those with peripheral neuropathy experience. Some people even wear these types of socks to bed to keep their feet warm and to prevent irritating contact with bed sheets.

Will compression socks help my neuropathy?

Compression socks can help patients manage their neuropathy symptoms. These socks apply pressure to assist your feet and ensure blood keeps flowing in the correct direction. However, compression socks come in various compression levels, so it's important to speak to a doctor before purchasing a pair.

Should you massage feet with neuropathy?

Massage therapy can be beneficial if you have neuropathy — numbness, tingling or pain — in your hands and feet. This is particularly common in cancer survivors.


How long should you massage your feet for neuropathy?

Daily, detailed self-care is essential in order to improve or reverse the tissue damaged caused by peripheral neuropathy. The suggested client homework is as follows: Spend 15 minutes each day on each foot. Lightly massage both feet as deeply as you can without causing pain.

Is foot massage good for peripheral neuropathy?

It has been shown that foot massage intervention reduces the patients' pain levels and has a positive effect on their sleep quality. Accordingly, foot massage can be recommended to patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to reduce their peripheral neuropathy-related pain and improve their sleep quality.

What should you not do if you have neuropathy?

Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein in your diet. Avoid excessive alcohol. Alcohol can worsen peripheral neuropathy. Monitor your blood glucose levels.


What is the number one cause of neuropathy?

Diabetes. This is the most common cause. Among people with diabetes, more than halfwill develop some type of neuropathy.

Is ice or heat better for neuropathy?

One or both may be helpful. Sometimes switching between heat and ice may work the best for you: Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the sore area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time. Put moist heat on the sore area for up to 30 minutes to relieve pain.

Is Vicks Vapor Rub good for neuropathy?

Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs.


Can neuropathy suddenly go away?

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may lessen or go away over time, but in some cases they never go away. These are some ways to learn to live with it: Use pain medicines as your doctor prescribes them.

What vitamins are good for neuropathy?

Vitamin B-12 is present in some foods and helps with proper nerve function and red blood cell production. People who don't get enough vitamin B-12 may have a higher risk of neuropathy and other nervous system (neurological) problems.

What can a podiatrist do for neuropathy of the feet?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment may be helpful in relieving neuropathy symptoms. The therapy uses gentle electrical currents to prevent pain signals from traveling to your brain. Reduce pain, tingling and other neuropathy symptoms with a visit to The Foot & Ankle Group.


Can you live with neuropathy in your feet?

Roughly 20 million Americans are living with neuropathy. Living with daily pain and discomfort can be challenging. People with neuropathy are at a higher risk for depression and anxiety than those without a neurological disorder. The good news is treatable, and a pain management specialist can help.

How can I reverse neuropathy naturally?

There are also a number of natural treatments to help reduce symptoms and peripheral neuropathy.
  1. Vitamins. Some cases of peripheral neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. ...
  2. Cayenne pepper. ...
  3. Quit smoking. ...
  4. Warm bath. ...
  5. Exercise. ...
  6. Essential oils. ...
  7. Meditation. ...
  8. Acupuncture.