While neuropathy has inspired less fuss in the feet department compared to other foot problems like calcium growths, plantar fasciitis, bunions and fungal conditions, you will be surprised that it is one of the most common ailments experienced by the feet.
The most typical symptom of peripheral neuropathy is weakness and numbness, and this is often manifested in the extremities such as the hands and feet. The damage to the peripheral nerves is commonly caused by poorly controlled diabetes but other factors can also influence the severity of damage: vitamin deficiency, kidney failure, and alcohol intake.
Other rare factors such as metabolic problems, neurofibromatosis, infections and exposure to toxins can also be responsible for the peripheral neuropathy.
What are the common symptoms of neuropathy?
Since peripheral neuropathy results in damage to the nerve endings, patients suffering from this usually develop a tingling or burning sensation in the affected nerves of the toes or the fingers. If you have the following signs and symptoms on your feet, other than the tingling or burning pain, chances are you have peripheral neuropathy:
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Lack of coordination
How do you alleviate pain of neuropathy?
Having peripheral neuropathy can be aggravating simply because it hampers the fluid motion of our feet movement. We put pressure on our feet on an hourly or a constant basis, and these foot problems only delimit us from doing our activities at a maximum performance level.
To treat peripheral neuropathy, several manufacturers produced over-the-counter medications that can be safely used to ease the pain from neuropathy. You can choose from aspirin, ibuprofen, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, acetaminophen and anti-seizure medications.
To ensure safety, have yourself diagnosed so you know the root cause of your peripheral neuropathy. The healthcare professional will be able to give you information on how to successfully treat peripheral neuropathy depending on the root cause.
The good news is there are several ways you can relieve yourself of the pain from peripheral neuropathy without using medication. Some of the easiest home remedies you can apply at home to manage the pain are as follows:
- Say goodbye to cigarette butts to improve blood circulation
- Exercise regularly to help regulate your level of blood sugar
- Wear soft cotton socks and padded insoles to absorb more shock from walking or running
- Eat a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, whole grains, low-fat meats, dairy products, and fruits.
- Further improve your blood circulation and stimulate your nerve extremities using a foot spa for neuropathy.
Foot spa for neuropathy
A foot spa is one of the safest and popular home remedies for neuropathy simply because by improving your blood circulation, it relaxes your feet muscles at the same time, resulting in pain relief. There is a wide stamp of approval of foot spa from many people affected by peripheral neuropathy and these people have claimed that it has become an integral part of their lifestyle change.
Foot soak for neuropathy
You should consider adding some foot soaks into your foot spa because they help to relax your feet, relieve muscle pain and has many other advantages. Look for Epsom salts, magnesium flakes, and oils.
Benefits of foot spa
The benefits of foot spas spring from the fact that it is an effective treatment for pain management and stress reduction without you having to experience the side effects of medications. The conventional drug treatments can be a hit or miss and lead you to zone out in order to get away from the pain.
Deceiving the nerves into perceiving less pain can then ultimately result in an imbalance in enjoying the quality of life – going about your daily routine and spend time actually living. A foot spa, on the other hand, is natural, effective and without side-effects.
If you’re suffering from diabetes, a foot spa is a perfect natural treatment for you since foot reflexology aims to improve blood flow. In addition to improving the blood circulation, a foot spa reduces stress and improves your overall well-being. It can also be used as a supplemental medical care for cancer patients or diabetics undergoing special therapies.
Finding relief from a foot spa: hot or cold?
There are several threads online debating whether the hot foot spa treatment is more effective than a cold one. There is no correct answer. Some people find warmth soothing while others prefer ice to achieve a mild numbing effect, which then relieves pain.
Hot foot spa
If you choose to soothe your foot pain with something warm, make sure the heat level is just enough to provide ease of neuropathic pain. You can get a paraffin wax warmer, which can be found at many pharmacies, and ensure the wax temperature is no higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Any degrees higher than this can cause serious burns to your skin.
A quicker way and mess-free alternative you can try is by using warm water. The temperature should just be under 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip your feet in the basin of water and wrap them in soaked towels for several minutes. You can add optional accessories such as shower gel or scented oil to create a more spa-like ambiance.
Cold foot spa
If you like a quick relief from pain, you can numb the affected area with ice. Other than providing the numbing effect, it can help reduce swelling. You can get a large bag halfway full of ice cubes and mold this bag of ice to the area you are treating.
If you do not have ice, you can use other frozen goods such as frozen vegetables which are easy to mold and can be returned to the freezer for further reuse. You can also try using reusable cold packs like gel or pellets available at drugstores if you intend to use a cold foot spa more frequently.
If after getting yourself diagnosed at your healthcare clinic and you find yourself disliking neuropathy, getting a foot spa is still a wonderful way to ease the pain and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. To prevent this ailment, consider supplementing a foot spa with a healthy diet, more relaxation and regular exercise.
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The Medmassager foot massager comes with several features that offer both a great foot massage and several health benefits. Although it does not have a heat option, the strong oscillation of the foot pad increases blood circulation in both your feet and legs. The increased blood flow will actually make you feel like you are treating your feet with heat. The massager will also relieve any foot pain and numbness caused by neuropathy, flat feet, high arches, and plantar fasciitis.
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