It may be neuropathy if you’ve been experiencing numbness or pain in your hands or feet. Learn more about this condition and how you can treat it.
Managing neuropathic pain is challenging. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but stronger medications, like tramadol, are sometimes prescribed. Other treatments include acupuncture and exercise, changes in diet, and even psychological or counseling support.
Physical Therapy
A variety of treatments can help manage pain and improve the quality of life for patients living with neuropathy. For example, physical therapy can reduce symptoms of neuropathic pain and increase strength and balance. Other options include medications and therapies such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or acupuncture.
Various topical treatments, like lidocaine patches or capsaicin creams, can offer a soothing touch for some. But if those don’t quite do the trick, explore other options.
Antidepressants and anticonvulsants have stepped up to the plate in clinical trials, proving effective in managing neuropathic pain. Anticonvulsants, like the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline, have shown particular promise in tackling peripheral and central nerve pain.
Remember, the best neuropathy treatment Jacksonville FL is as unique as your experience. Talking to a healthcare professional is vital to finding the right combination of therapies to manage your pain and regain control. Don’t hesitate to explore options, from topical creams to targeted medications, and discover the path to a more comfortable future.
Morphine has also been demonstrated to be effective for neuropathic diabetic polyneuropathy in RCTs, although side effects limit its effectiveness. Often, combination therapy is necessary to achieve acceptable levels of pain reduction. Furthermore, the European Federation of Neurological Societies in Germany and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence in the UK both advise epidural injections or spinal cord stimulation as a temporary pain reliever for neuropathic pain sufferers.
Medications
Many people who have neuropathy find relief with a combination of treatments, including alternative medicine and medications. Your healthcare professional will consider your food habits, exposure to pollutants, and lifestyle choices, such as smoking or binge drinking, in addition to your medical history and symptoms. In addition, a physical examination, testing of your tendon reflexes, sensory perception, and imaging studies will be performed to search for herniated disks, swollen blood vessels, or other diseases that may result in nerve pressure.
Medications, such as antidepressants, painkillers, and anti-seizure medications, can improve some people’s symptoms. Topical creams that contain lidocaine can help with pain, too.
Your doctor may recommend other treatments if the condition causing your neuropathy isn’t treatable, such as plasma exchange, steroids, or intravenous immune globulin, to decrease inflammation and autoimmune issues. They might also suggest acupuncture, which can reduce stress and improve function. They might also prescribe foot or hand braces to minimize pain or weakness and a cane or wheelchair for mobility problems.
Alternative Therapies
Some over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed medicines help with neuropathic pain, as well as alternative therapies that may improve your symptoms. Exercise and diet changes can boost nerve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and decrease stress. Supplements like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, vitamin B6, magnesium, and calcium may slow the progression of neuropathy, while omega-3 fatty acids promote nerve health.
If you have diabetes, controlling your blood glucose level is a key treatment strategy to slow nerve damage. Other treatments for peripheral neuropathy may include acupressure, massage therapy, and acupuncture. Try a prescription skin patch with lidocaine to soothe the burning and tingling sensations of neuropathic pain.
A nerve or skin biopsy can be used to test for conditions that cause neuropathy, such as shingles or Guillain-Barre syndrome. In rare cases, surgery to remove pressure from the nerve might be needed if other treatments don’t help.
Radiation or Surgery
If non-surgical treatments haven’t given you relief, your doctor may recommend radiation or surgery. This will depend on the underlying condition.
For example, if you have diabetes and nerve damage, the first step is to get your blood sugar under control. This will remove the extra sugar from your nerves, easing the pain and numbness caused by neuropathy.
Other therapies can also help with neuropathic pain symptoms. Your doctor might recommend acupuncture, massage, or meditation. Several support groups for neuropathy meet at senior centers or councils on aging.
Neuropathic pain treatment aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Your physician will prioritize treating the underlying issue and relieving your suffering. They will start with a medical history and do a physical exam to recognize typical neuropathic pain symptoms. They might order blood tests, MRI or CT scans to look for herniated disks, pinched nerves, growths, or other issues that can cause peripheral neuropathy.
