Information from the body's extremities reaches the central nervous system via the peripheral nerves. Injury to these nerves affects their ability to send signals, leading to a wide range of painful or unpleasant feelings. Medical professionals refer to damage to the peripheral nerves as neuropathy or nerve damage.
Peripheral neuropathy can cause various painful symptoms, including tingling, burning, and stabbing pains. As neuropathy commonly affects the hands and feet, the symptoms may begin in these areas. However, since the peripheral nerves are spread throughout the body, it is possible to experience symptoms in other areas, as well as experiencing different symptoms in different places.
Specific natural therapies may help ease some of the symptoms. In some cases, natural treatments may help avoid additional nerve injury. In the following article, you will learn more about the condition and how to repair it naturally with these natural therapies.
Exercise
Exercise strengthens muscles, which may help ease some of the pain caused by neuropathy. Physical activity is effective against a variety of the underlying causes of neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a complication of diabetes. Physical activity lowers the chance of getting diabetes and its complications because it helps the body keep its blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
People at risk of neuropathy may also benefit from exercise because it lowers pressure on the peripheral blood vessels.
Dietary Change
Peripheral neuropathy is commonly brought on by diabetes. Changing your diet, so your blood sugar levels go down is a great way to relieve neuropathy symptoms and even stop the condition.
Blood sugar levels are more stable while eating a diet high in fiber and low in simple carbohydrates. Some people have found that eliminating certain meals has also helped:
- Bread products made from white flour, such as pastries, candies, and packaged snacks
People with peripheral neuropathy, whether or not they have diabetes, may benefit from making some dietary modifications.
This might help:
- Some vegetables, fruits, and nuts, which are high in fiber and take longer for the body to absorb, may help reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich foods include blueberries, walnuts, fatty salmon, and flaxseed oil.
- Keeping your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg
- Cutting back on saturated and Trans fats
- Reducing or stopping alcohol consumption
Kick the Habit of Smoking
Since smoking narrows and damages peripheral blood vessels, it is a risk factor for peripheral neuropathy. Even when another condition or lifestyle factor is the primary cause of neuropathy, it might worsen nerve damage symptoms. If you smoke, quitting smoking can help your blood vessels function better.
Relaxation Techniques
Those suffering from neuropathy may relieve their symptoms by practicing relaxation techniques. Some people get relief from their symptoms by practicing deep breathing, meditating, or engaging in gradual relaxation.
Yoga, Tai Chi, and mixed stretching are ways to reduce stress and improve posture that may help people with neuropathy.
Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture, chiropractic, and energy-based treatments like Reiki are some of the alternative medical approaches tried by those with peripheral neuropathy. There hasn't been a lot of research into these strategies yet. Currently, little compelling evidence suggests that they work.
The best results have come from combining alternative therapies with tried-and-true methods like medication and physical activity.
Extra Tips to Prevent Nerve Damage
Changing how you live has been shown to make peripheral neuropathy less severe and even stop it from worsening. Exercising, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and keeping a healthy weight are all critical.
Other strategies that might prove helpful are:
- Regulating blood sugar through food, exercise, and medication for people with diabetes or other illnesses that might cause neuropathy
- Preventing excessive alcohol consumption
- Giving up smoking permanently
The Final Verdict
Damage to the nerves in the body's periphery causes peripheral neuropathy. It can have numerous causes, including diabetes. Nerve Damage can be annoying, painful, and difficult to cure – prevention is crucial. You must know how to lower your risk if you have a condition that can cause neuropathy. A doctor can supply this information. Several natural interventions, such as eating well, being physically active, and giving up tobacco, can reduce the risk of developing or alleviating the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
It may be necessary for those with peripheral neuropathy to attempt a few different therapies before settling on the most beneficial course of action. Consult a medical professional for advice on treatment options. Many sufferers of peripheral neuropathy report improvement after making certain lifestyle adjustments.