Acupuncture and TCM offer a safe alternative for treating neuropathy symptoms stemming from diabetes, chemotherapy, inflammatory and other conditions.
If there has been nerve damage or diminished sensation, we target treatment in these areas to re-stimulate those nerve fibers." Indeed, studies show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for peripheral neuropathy, with fewer side effects than medications.
The Chinese Medicine Wu-Tou Decoction Relieves Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting Hippocampal Microglia Activation.
All studies reported that acupuncture significantly relieved diabetic neuropathy. ST36, BL13, BL20, SP6, and SP9 were the most widely used acupoints.
Neural Regeneration Research findings suggest that acupuncture effectively repairs damage to both upper and lower limb motor nerves. The findings of Electromyographic nerve conduction tests show up to 80 percent of patients respond positively to acupuncture treatment.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help. Quit smoking.
Radix Hedysari is an herbal preparation frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine. It can promote regeneration after peripheral nerve injury, but its effect on the amplification ratio (the ratio of distal to proximal fibers) during peripheral nerve regeneration has not yet been examined.
Acupuncture and TCM offer a safe alternative for treating neuropathy symptoms stemming from diabetes, chemotherapy, inflammatory and other conditions. How Does Acupuncture Help Neuropathy? According to TCM theory, peripheral neuropathy is related to dampness hampering the smooth flow of Qi and blood to the limbs.
PRESS RELEASES. ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Proclaim™ XR spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system to treat painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a debilitating complication of diabetes.
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of tart cherry, which have been seen in the treatment of arthritides, appear to be applicable to neuropathic pain as well, providing relief that is at least as good as conventional treatments, with no adverse effects.
There is no cure for peripheral neuropathy but proper treatment will slow progression and address your symptoms. If the cause of the foot neuropathy is known, then treatment of the underlying cause may provide relief.
Whether or not neuropathy can be reversed depends on the cause of the nerve damage. In some cases, the pain may go away entirely. In others, nerve damage may be permanent. For example, when neuropathy is caused by an infection, symptoms might go away completely when the infection is treated.
A number of natural interventions can help prevent or treat peripheral neuropathy, including maintaining a balanced, healthful diet, exercising, and quitting smoking. People with peripheral neuropathy may have to try several treatments, or a combination, before finding the most effective option.
Treatments for Neuropathy
The peripheral nerves have a great ability to heal. Even though it may take months, recovery can occur. However, in some situations, symptoms of neuropathy may lessen but not completely go away. For example, nerve injury caused by radiation often does not recover well.
Smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves and can worsen neuropathic symptoms. Exercise can deliver more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to far-off nerve endings, improve muscle strength, and limit muscle atrophy.
Many conditions can cause kidney failure; the most common are diabetes and high blood pressure. There is no easy fix for kidney failure, which means the neuropathy could worsen over time.
Vicks VapoRub also has other popular off-label uses—and these have more support than use of the product on the feet to improve a cough. Vicks is sometimes used on the feet to relieve neuropathy pain, treat toenail fungus, and soften callouses.
Capsaicin. Capsaicin is a substance found in hot peppers, but interestingly, it also works as pain reliever for those with peripheral neuropathy symptoms. The slight burning sensation that is felt when capsaicin creams is applied counteracts the pain signals within your body, thus ceasing pain altogether temporarily.
Among the best are Chinese skullcap, lemon balm, wood betony, St. John's wort, chamomile, prickly ash and milky oats. These are found in a variety of ways including commercial tea, dried herb so you can make your own tea or compress, tinctures, capsules and so forth.
Independent investigations confirm that acupuncture is more effective than usual care, including anti-inflammatory medications. Acupuncture successfully alleviates pain, inflammation, numbness, and restores motor dexterity and is the best remedy for hand numbness.
Curcumin is a strong antioxidant found in turmeric known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. When taken early on, curcumin has been found to prevent chronic pain associated with neuropathy. It has also been shown to reduce pain and inflammation.