3 Best Home Remedies For Neuropathy — 2023

Numbness, tingling, and pain in the body is the hallmark of neuropathy. Diabetes, for example, is one condition that can cause neuropathy (damage to your nerves and blood vessels). Many people who experience neuropathy search for home remedies to help relieve their pain.

What you wouldn’t do to get some relief from all these uncomfortable and unpleasant symptoms, right? Well, join the club, friend. We’re all in the same boat. Hopefully, some of these home remedies can help each of us.

Pain relief foot

You can try to prevent nerve damage or slow down its development by controlling your blood sugar, drinking less alcohol, and not smoking cigarettes. But what if the ship has already sailed? While these actions can still be physically helpful, you might want to add in some home remedies to reduce your pain and bring comfort.

While home remedies for neuropathy are no substitute for medical care, they can be a great addition to your treatment plan. Here are three extremely easy ways to relieve pain in your feet and legs while sitting at home.

Try B Vitamins and Turmeric Supplements

Vitamin B for foot pain

Turmeric Supplements

Curcumin, a key component in turmeric, is known to provide relief for nerve pain and have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. You can take curcumin in supplement form or mix ¼ tsp of freshly grounded pepper with 1 tsp of turmeric powder and consume the mixture three times a day.

Adding powdered or fresh turmeric to your tea, curries, smoothies, and salads might also help relieve your pain. According to recent studies, if you consume curcumin in the early stages of neuropathy, it may actually help prevent chronic neuropathic pain from developing.

B Vitamins

Many diabetics seem to be low in vitamin B-6, B-1, and B-12 nutrients. The lack of these nutrients can worsen nerve damage. These vitamins are known to support healthy nervous system functions; therefore, they are considered useful in treating peripheral neuropathy. For example, vitamin B-1 is believed to help in lowering inflammation levels, reducing pain, and preventing cellular damage.

One major cause of peripheral neuropathy is the deficiency of vitamin B-12. B-12 supplements can be taken to help avoid permanent nerve damage.

Although vitamin B-6 is known to maintain the covering on nerve endings, it is essential that you limit its consumption to 200 mg per day. Consuming higher amounts of vitamin B-6 can cause nerve damage and worsen other symptoms of neuropathy. No matter which supplements or vitamins you try, make sure you consult with your physician first.

Not a fan of taking pills? You can eat foods like fish, meat, seafood, low-fat dairy foods, poultry, eggs, and fortified cereals, all of which are rich in B vitamins.

A Super Simple Home Remedy for Neuropathy: Hot and Cold Water

Cold Water Relief

Although it isn’t as soothing as a warm bath, ice can provide your feet with a mild and comfortable numbing effect, resulting in pain relief. Ice also has anti-inflammatory properties and thus helps in reducing swelling.

A cold water soak can also be soothing. Run some cold water and, if you prefer colder water, add some ice. Soak your feet in it for a few minutes. You can also use an ice pack for cold relief. If you don’t have an ice pack, just take a freezer bag and fill it halfway with ice cubes. Seal the bag and hold it to the affected area for no more than 10 minutes at a time. You can also purchase some reusable cold packs from a drugstore that are filled with gel and store them in your freezer.

Warning: Individuals with erythromelalgia are recommended not to use this remedy as it may damage their skin.

Hot Water Relief

If you’ve ever lowered yourself into a nice hot bath, you already know that heat creates a soothing effect and helps your nerves relax. To localize relief to your feet, try a plug-in heating pad. They are available at almost all pharmacies. You can put a towel between your skin and the device if direct heat causes discomfort. Leave it on for a maximum of 10 minutes.

The cheapest home remedy to apply heat to your feet is soaking them in a warm bath. Pour hot water in a tub and adjust the temperature as per your preference. Submerge your feet in it for a few minutes. You can also soak a towel in warm water, wrap it around the painful area, and let it work its magic. And don’t forget a home foot spa!

Use Massage Therapies

massage for foot pain

Massage therapy involves the stimulation of the soft tissues of your body through structured movements. Today, many have opted for different types of massage therapies for foot pain caused due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Not only do massage therapies greatly complement standard treatments, but they also come with the following benefits:

  • Decreased anxiety
  • Better quality of sleep
  • Increased energy
  • Improved blood circulation
  • Reduced fatigue
  • Lastly, you get your feet rubbed. (Who doesn’t like their feet rubbed?)

Following are some types of massages that can help in reducing your foot pain:

  • Aromatherapy
  • Connective Tissue Massage
  • Deep Tissue Massage
  • Geriatric Massage
  • Lymph Drainage Therapy
  • Massotherapy
  • Medical Massage
  • Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)
  • Sports Massage
  • Swedish Massage
doctor for neuropathy

Remember, massaging vigorously and massaging in areas with blood clots, healing/open wounds, blood clots, skin infections, and weakened bones is a bad idea. Although massage therapies are considered safe for pregnant women and cancer patients, it is still highly recommended that you consult a doctor to decide which massage therapy would be most suitable for you.

Whichever home remedies for neuropathy you choose, we wish you good luck and better-feeling feet.