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7 Most Common Foot Problems – Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

June 23, 2021 By Heather

Prevent foot pain and agony from stealing your mobility and wellness. Knowing what causes common foot problems and how to deal with them will help you continue a healthy and productive life.

Causes and treatments of common foot problems

yourfootpalace.com gathered the following information about 7 significant and common foot problems, what causes them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them.

7 Common Foot Problems

The following 7 foot problems are common and easily treatable when addressed in their earliest stages.

Plantar Fasciitis

Common foot problems plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia (the tough tissue stretching from the heel bone to the base of the toes.

Causes – Plantar fasciitis is most commonly caused by repetitive strain injury to the plantar fascia. This strain injury can occur from excessive running or walking, inadequately fitted footgear, and jumping injury from strained landings.

Symptoms – Plantar fasciitis will typically cause stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot (usually near the heel). The pain is usually at its most acute with the first few steps after awakening; the condition can also be triggered by standing for long periods or getting up after sitting.

Treatment – Most plantar fasciitis treatment plans include resting, icing the painful area, and stretching. More severe cases may require medication, orthotics, and even surgery.

Recovery Time – 6 to 12 months (or more) with continuous care and treatment.

Prevention – Use exercises and stretches designed to prevent plantar fasciitis daily.

Read more on plantar fasciitis.

Neuropathy (Peripheral Neuropathy)

Common foot problems peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is often the result of damage to nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves)

Causes – Neuropathy can result from physical injury, infection, exposure to toxic substances, or conditions like diabetes, kidney failure, or malnutrition.

Symptoms – Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve problem that causes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, or severe muscle weakness in different parts of the body (usually the extremities). This condition typically begins in the hands or feet and spreads, getting worse with time.

Treatment – Depending on the cause of your neuropathy, you may be prescribed a multi-faceted treatment approach, including:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Topical Treatments
  • Pain Relievers
  • Anti-seizure Medications
  • Antidepressants
  • Surgery

Neuropathy-related nerve pain may be relieved by medications like gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

Note: In many cases, your doctor may recommend waiting to see if your neuropathy conditions improve before considering any treatments.

Recovery Time – If neuropathy symptoms diminish, the process will be gradual, requiring several months.

Prevention – While peripheral neuropathy may be caused by factors beyond your control, you can significantly reduce your risk for this condition by avoiding alcohol, correcting vitamin deficiencies, consuming a healthy diet, maintaining your weight and BMI below risk factors, avoiding toxins, and exercising regularly.

Learn more about peripheral neuropathy.

Metatarsalgia

Common foot problems metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is a very common overuse condition affecting either or both feet in which the ball of your foot (the area between the arches and toes) becomes inflamed and painful.

Causes – Being a frequent runner, wearing poorly fitting shoes or high heels, and excess weight can lead to metatarsalgia. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or gout, these conditions can exacerbate metatarsalgia.

Symptoms – Metatarsalgia symptoms are usually localized in or around the ball of your foot and can include:

  • Aching and/or burning pain in the ball of your foot
  • Sharp, shooting pain in your toes
  • Numbness or tingling in your toes
  • Intensifying pain when walking, running, or exercising then eases when at rest
  • Ongoing sensation of a pebble under your foot – in your shoe

The main symptom associated with metatarsalgia is a sharp, dull, or burning pain at the end of one or more of the metatarsal bones. metatarsalgia does not usually occur suddenly. Rather it builds up over several months.

Treatment – Metatarsalgia treatment is typically determined by analyzing the cause and severity of the condition and your pain. Many times, treatment for mild to moderate symptoms include the following conservative measures:

  • Staying off/Resting your feet
  • Changing your footwear
  • Using orthotic sole inserts
  • Using arch supports

When these measures fail to relieve your discomfort, consider the following:

  • Ice your foot multiple times per day
  • If you are overweight, lose weight
  • Use an over-the-counter pain reliever/anti-inflammatory (discuss the benefits and potential side-effects with your doctor before taking any medication)
  • Elevate your foot (above your waist) after activity

You may need to modify some of your activities:

  • Avoid wearing shoes with high-heels
  • Take a break from high-impact sports
  • Exclude high-impact activities and include low-impact activities like swimming and cycling
  • Make time for frequent relaxing spa days

Tip: A reflexology massage may relieve foot pain and discomfort, as it focuses on the foot’s pressure points.

Recovery Time – Depending on the severity of the condition, it may take 6-8 weeks for the condition to improve and multiple months for it to completely heal.

Prevention – Protect your feet from undue stress and hard or repeated impacts.

  • Maintain healthy body weight
  • Use shoe inserts
  • Use custom made orthotics

Read more about metatarsalgia.

Athlete’s Foot

Common problemsof feet athletes foot

Athlete’s foot or tinea pedis is a skin and foot infection that can be caused by a variety of different fungi. Although tinea pedis can affect any portion of the foot, the infection most often affects the space between the toes.

Causes – Tinea pedis spreads through contact with infected skin scales or contact with fungi in damp areas like showers, locker rooms, swimming pools, etc. Tinea pedis can be a chronic infection that recurs frequently.

Symptoms – Athlete’s foot is typically identified by skin fissures or scales that can be red and itchy.

Treatment – Treatment may include topical creams and powders applied to the skin surface or oral medications.

Recovery Time – It can take 6 months or more to see improvements in conditions, and depending on your diligence in control measures, it may take one year or more to fully eradicate this condition from your home and clothing.

Prevention – dermatologists recommend that you take the following precautions to prevent contracting athlete’s foot:

  • Wear shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals when walking around pools, gyms, shower or locker areas, and hotel rooms
  • Even if you have not gone barefoot in public areas, keep your feet dry
  • Wash your feet every day with soap and completely dry them afterward
  • Wear socks made of fabrics that dry quickly or wick moisture away from the skin, and be sure to change your socks every day
  • Alternate the shoes you wear daily, if possible, to make sure shoes are dry when they are put on
  • If you live with someone who has athlete’s foot, don’t share towels, linens, socks, or shoes
  • Wear shoes when in areas where infected feet have been
  • If your athlete’s foot is not improving or is worsening, see a board-certified dermatologist

Read more about athlete’s foot.

Heel Spurs

Common foot problems heel spurs

Also known as calcaneal spurs or osteophytes, a heel spur is a bony outgrowth calcium deposit that usually occurs on the underside of a person’s foot.

Causes – Heel spurs occur when calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone. This process usually occurs over many months. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, continuous stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing or injuring of the membrane that envelopes the heel bone.

Symptoms – Heel spurs often cause no symptoms. However, heel spurs can cause intermittent or chronic pain while walking, jogging, or running. The cause of the pain is not the heel spur but the soft tissue injured from it.

Some describe heel spurs and associated plantar fasciitis as a knife or pin jabbing into the bottom of their feet when first standing up in the morning that fades into a dull ache. That sharp pain usually returns after standing up after sitting for a prolonged time.

Treatment – Heel spurs are treated by measures intended to decrease the associated inflammation while avoiding reinjury.

  • Local ice applications both reduce pain and inflammation
  • Anti-inflammatory medications, such as naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil), or injections of cortisone, are often helpful
  • Orthotic devices or shoe inserts can take pressure off plantar spurs (donut-shaped insert)
  • Heel lifts can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon to relieve painful bone spurs at the back of the heel

Tip: Sports or running shoes with soft, cushioned soles can be helpful in reducing irritation and discomfort of inflamed tissues from heel spurs.

Surgery may be performed on chronically inflamed spurs as a last resort.

Recovery Time – Healing can take a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the spur and how it is treated.

Note: Overweight patients or those who procrastinate seeing a doctor for a diagnosis are likely to suffer longer and are highly likely to have the pain come back.

Prevention – prevent heel spurs by wearing well-fitting shoes with rigid shanks and supportive heel counters. Warming up and stretching your feet before physical activity.

Claw Toe

Common foot problems claw toe

Claw toes, as the name implies, are toes bent into an abnormal claw-like shape. This condition is also called mallet or hammertoe. The condition usually occurs in the four smaller toes of your foot in the middle and end joints.

Causes – Most of the time, an imbalance of foot muscles causes claw toes. Specifically, toe muscles will contract too far, tighten the tendons, and bend the joints. Foot muscles can become unbalanced due to the following:

  • Genetics
  • Poorly-fitting shoes
  • Polio
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Diabetic nerve damage
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Nerve damage caused by alcoholism
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
  • Spinal cord tumors
  • Stroke (the stroke-side foot is affected)
  • Physical trauma

Symptoms – Claw toe symptoms occur beyond the toes and can include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Corns
  • Calluses
  • Blisters

Note: Ulcers are a rare symptom, but they do occur.

Treatment – There are both nonsurgical and surgical treatments for claw toes. Most of them you can do at home. Nonsurgical treatments for claw toes include:

  • Wear pads, arch supports, or other shoe inserts to cushion the toe
  • Wear shoes with larger toe boxes, low heels, and good arch support
  • Wear shoes with increased width and depth, with soft soles and minimal seams in the toebox
  • Strengthen and stretch toe muscles through focused exercises
  • Use a splint or tape to hold your toes where they should sit
  • Avoid high heels
  • Avoid tight shoes

The severity of your claw toes will determine what type of surgery you’ll require. Your healthcare provider will categorize your claw toe as early or late stage, either flexible or rigid. Surgical treatments for claw toes include:

  • Temporarily inserting a steel pin to hold the toe in the correct position until healing occurs
  • Tendon lengthening and/or rerouting
  • Shortening the bones of the phalanx
  • Toe fusion

Recovery Time – For surgical treatments, you’ll need a minimum of 12 to 18 weeks of recovery time.

Prevention – Wear shoes that do not constrict your toes. Use exercises like extending, then curling the toes, splaying the toes, and moving the toes individually may help prevent the digital contracture that causes claw toe. Such exercises work to keep foot muscles strong and pliable.

Bunions

Common foot problems bunions

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe.

Causes – Foot pressure caused by the way you walk or the shape of your foot causes your big toe to abnormally bend in toward the second toe. Bunions are gradually occurring.

Standing for long periods and wearing poorly-fitting, narrow shoes can exacerbate bunion pain but do not cause the problem.

Symptoms – A bunion will cause your big toe to bend inward, turn red and become swollen. Other symptoms include:

  • Claw toes (see above)
  • Numbness in the big toe
  • Trouble bending the big toe, or pain and burning when trying to bend it
  • Difficulty wearing regular or narrow shoes
  • Corns or calluses (thickened skin)

Tip: Many times, foot problems or disorders are actually symptoms of larger, more complicated conditions.

Treatment – Bunions don’t just go away. Treatment likely will focus on relieving symptoms and may include the following:

  • Orthotic devices: Over-the-counter or custom-made shoe inserts can help control toe alignment issues that may be contributing to bunion formation. You can also place a spacer between the big and second toe. Some people find relief by wearing a splint overnight to keep the big toe straight.
  • Footwear changes: Switching to shoes with wide, deep toe boxes can take pressure off of your toes.
  • Bunion pads and taping: Store-bought bunion pads can cushion the affected area and ease the pain. You can also use medical tape to keep the foot in the correct position.
  • Pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be combined with ice packs to help manage pain and swelling.
  • Therapy: Massage, physical therapy, and ultrasound therapy can break up soft-tissue adhesions, reducing pain and inflammation. There are exercises that can help improve muscle strength around the bunion and can improve alignment.
  • Injections: Steroid injections can reduce pain and swelling but may also cause damage if used too often or injected into the joint itself. This is typically a later stage bunion treatment when trying to avoid surgery.
  • Surgery: When nonsurgical treatments show little to no improvement and walking becomes extremely painful, your primary care physician/provider may recommend surgery. This surgery is referred to as a bunionectomy and removes the bunion while realigning bones to bring the big toe back into the correct position.

Recovery Time – For surgical treatments, you’ll need a minimum of 12 to 18 weeks of recovery time.

Prevention – The following can help you prevent painful bunions:

  • Note the shape of your feet as they age, especially if bunions run in your family
  • Exercise the feet to strengthen them
  • Only wear shoes that fit properly and avoid cramping or pinching your toes
  • Avoid shoes with high heels or pointed toes

Tip: Treat your feet to frequent spa days. Regular foot massages can help you detect and take early measures to avoid more serious conditions from developing.

Foot Problems

In this article, you discovered 7 of the most common and significant foot problems, their causes, how to treat them, and what you can do to prevent them.

Knowing what to do when foot problems occur can save you from developing more severe conditions that can last for years and cause significant pain.

Ignoring foot conditions and not taking action can leave you debilitated, and often requiring avoidable surgeries and extended periods of recovery time.

Sources:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354851
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15890-metatarsalgia
orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/plantar-fasciitis-and-bone-spurs
cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/disease/athletes_foot.html
health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-do-about-bunions
ipfh.org/foot-conditions/foot-conditions-a-z/metatarsalgia/prevention-and-treatment-of-metatarsalgia

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens,  GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Athletes Foot, Bunions, Claw Toe, Couples Massage, Foot Massage Athens Ga, Foot Pain, Foot Problems, Health, Health and Wellness, Heel Spurs, Massage Athens, Massage Athens Ga, Massage Places in Athens Ga, Metatarsalgia, Neuropathy, Plantar Fasciitis, Reflexology Athens Ga, Spa In Athens Ga, Wellness

Sharp Stinging Pain in Toes – Relief, Causes and Symptoms

March 16, 2021 By Heather

Prevent sharp pain in your toes from cripplig you, or interfering with your mobility and wellbeing. Knowing what’s behind the pain in your toes and how to treat it will help you get back to your normal activities.

Neuropathy can cause sharp stinging pain or tingling in the toes

yourfootpalace.com gathered information on what causes sharp stinging pain in your toes, how to alleviate the pain, when you should seek medical attention, and accompanying symptoms that may be life-threatening.

Sharp Pain in Toes

Abnormal sensations, including tingling, numbness, discomfort, and sharp pain can occur in your toes when peripheral nerves are impacted or damaged. This condition can result from:

  • Physical trauma resulting in nerve damage
  • Diabetes (especially if left uncontrolled)
  • Circulation irregularities limiting blood flow to the feet
  • Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc.)
  • Trauma (vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, etc.)
  • Alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Drug abuse
  • Vitamin deficiencies (B vitamins, vitamin E, and niacin)
  • Some prescription medications (especially ones used in cancer treatment)
  • Age-related wear and tear
  • Arthritis
  • Tumors (malignant or benign can develop on or press against nerves)
  • Chemical burns
  • Exposure to extreme heat
  • Exposure to poisonous substances (heavy metals and industrial chemicals)
  • Poorly fitting shoes (too loose or too tight)

When peripheral nerves are affected, it may lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. The following are many of the signs and symptoms of this condition:

  • Pain during movements and activities that should not cause pain
  • Sharp, jabbing, burning, or throbbing pain
  • Loss or reduction of touch sensation (feels as if you are wearing gloves or socks when you aren’t)
  • The onset of a numbing or tingling sensation in the hands or feet that can spread upward in the legs and arms
  • Hypersensitivity to touch
  • Severe reduction of coordination and loss of sure-footedness
  • Muscle weakness

Watch this video for a brief explanation of peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral nerves can be classified into three types:

  • Sensory (sensations like temperature, pain, and touch)
  • Autonomic (controls internal functions like the heart rate and digestion)
  • Motor (muscle movement)

Note: When peripheral neuropathy affects motor nerves, it can cause paralysis.

Toe Pain Relief

Assess what is happening with your feet before attempting a remedy. If you feel that you have sustained an injury or that your pain is too severe to manage on your own, contact your primary care physician for direction. The following will help you relieve the pain in your toes:

Apply Ice – If your skin feels warm (indicates that your foot is likely inflamed and possibly swollen), apply ice or soak your feet in an ice bath. Avoid warmth on inflamed areas; it increases the blood flow and may exacerbate the inflammation.

Apply Heat – If your skin is normal or cool to the touch, soak your feet in a warm bath. This should relax and soothe them.

Watch this video for more information about applying ice or heat to your feet.

Tip: Pharmacies and many large grocery stores sell gel packs that can be heated or frozen, then applied to your feet.

Foot Massage – Book an appointment with your masseur, explaining your condition. If you want to give yourself a foot massage, follow these steps:

  1. Sit on your bed or in a comfortable chair. Bend your left leg inward to rest your left foot on your right thigh.
  2. Pour your preferred lotion or oil into your hand. Vigorously rub the lotion or oil between your hands to warm it up, and then rub it gently over your whole foot, massaging your toes, arch, and heel.
  3. Use your hands to gently pull your toes back and forth or apart. This stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments underneath.
  4. Repeat the same steps on your other foot.

Tip: You can achieve a deeper massage by pressing your right knuckles into your left foot. Knead your foot like bread dough. Or reach deeper tissue and muscles by grasping your foot with both hands and applying a “sliding” pressure with your thumbs.

Follow the link to read more about How Massage Can Relieve Your Peripheral Neuropathy Pain.

Topical analgesics – These pain medications are typically sold as lotions, creams, or gels. They work by being spread on the skin, then penetrating inward to relieve pain. Some topical analgesics may contain menthol, eucalyptus oil, or turpentine oil reducing pain levels by distracting nerves with a different sensation.

Others use salicylates (the ingredient found in aspirin). Yet, others attempt to cancel out a chemical called substance P (a neurotransmitter that apparently transmits pain signals to the brain).

Oral analgesics – These medications include pain relievers, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), which relieve pain without reducing inflammation.

Tip: Strictly follow directions when using acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver complications, including failure.

Oral pain medications are used to treat pain and other neuropathy symptoms

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – NSAIDs can be attained with and without a prescription (in lower doses). NSAIDs include aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, etc.), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve). Take low dosages for a limited time solely to relieve pain. Your doctor may advise you to take a higher dose for a longer period if you have a condition that involves inflammation and pain.

Note: NSAID medications potentially have multiple side effects. Discuss any health conditions or risks with your doctor before their use.

Nerve pain medication – Pain resulting from nerve damage (neuropathy) may not respond well (or at all) to acetaminophen or NSAIDs. The following medications are commonly prescribed for neuropathy:

  • Amitriptyline (Elavil)
  • Gabapentin (Neurontin)
  • Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Tip: Consult your physician before taking these medications, as they may include side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and swelling. You may need to reduce or discontinue outside activities like driving or operating machinery while taking these medications.

Nerve blocks and Corticosteroids – These injectable medications work to either numb a particular nerve (nerve blocks) or to reduce inflammation to relieve pain (Corticosteroids)

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

Seek medical care immediately if you experience any unusual tingling, weakness, or pain in your feet or hands. Obtaining an early diagnosis and treatment will offer the best chance for mitigating or arresting your symptoms and preventing any further peripheral nerve damage.

Life-Threatening Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms

Any condition that causes you sustained pain, discomfort, or forces you to restrict your mobility should trigger you to seek medical attention. However, the following symptoms or conditions can be life-threatening and must be addressed immediately:

  • Weakness, numbness, tingling, or sharp pain that spreads upward from the toes to the legs, or the fingers to the arms
  • Erratic or racing heartbeat
  • Extreme high or low blood pressure
  • Difficulty breathing or gasping for air
  • Paralysis
  • Loss of coordination

Note: Save time and potentially your life by dialing 9-1-1 for emergency services. When experiencing such severe symptoms, avoid operating a vehicle or other mechanical equipment.

Seek medical attention for symptoms of neuropathy

Disclaimer: This Content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your primary care physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding this or other medical conditions.

Toe Pain and Peripheral Neuropathy

In this article, you discovered what can cause sharp stinging pain in your toes, what you can do to ease or relieve the pain, when you should seek medical attention, and which symptoms indicate a life-threatening medical event.

Knowing how to relieve pain in your toes will help you maintain your mobility and rest easier, pain-free and recognizing when these symptoms turn deadly will undoubtedly give you a head start in preserving your life.

Ignoring the signs or the worsening of neuropathy symptoms allows nerve damage to progress. And can quickly land you in the hospital or worse.

Sources:
health.harvard.edu/feet-and-foot-care/7-ways-to-fix-foot-pain
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/peripheral-neuropathy-fact-sheet

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens,  GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Couples Massage, Foot Care, Foot Massage Athens Ga, Health, Massage Athens, Massage Athens Ga, Massage Places in Athens Ga, Neuropathy, Pain Relief, Peripheral Neuropathy, Quality of Life, Reflexology Athens Ga, Sharp Pain In Toes, Spa In Athens Ga, Toe Pain, Wellness

How Massage Can Relieve Your Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

August 23, 2019 By Heather

Does your peripheral neuropathy pain have you immobile and living a restricted quality of life? Through massage, you can ease the symptoms of this debilitating condition.

Reflexology foot massage treatment for peripheral neuropathy

yourfootpalace.com gathered information about peripheral neuropathy, its symptoms, causes, and how massage can alleviate your pain.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition resulting from damaged or diseased nerves that relay information to and from the brain and spinal cord, from and to the body’s skin, muscles, and internal organs.

In the United States, over 3 million new cases of peripheral neuropathy are identified annually. Currently, there is no cure for this condition, but some treatments can help.

Symptoms – Depending on the type of nerves affected, symptoms may vary. The following include symptoms from motor nerves (muscle movement), autonomic nerves (internal organs and processes), and sensory nerves (sensations like heat and touch);

• Numbness or tingling
• Sharp pain
• Extreme skin sensitivity
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Changes in blood pressure
• Heat intolerance
• Loss of coordination
• Bowel and bladder problems

Peripheral neuropathy and tingling sensations in the hand moving to the arm

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience pain, weakness, or unusual tingling sensations in your hands or feet that spread to your arms or legs.

Causes – There are many ways that nerves can be or become damaged, including external, internal, and hereditary influences. The following are potential causes for peripheral neuropathy:

• Diabetes
• Chemotherapy
• Kidney failure
• Alcoholism
• Hereditary disorders
• Tumors
• Autoimmune diseases
• Trauma or pressure
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Injuries
• Surgery

Sometimes, no cause can be found and is referred to as idiopathic neuropathy.

Massage Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy Pain Relief

There are many types of massage used to treat stress, anxiety, pain, neuropathy, and illness. Below are some of the techniques that can relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy:

• Connective Tissue Massage or Fascial Stretch – Connective tissue massage involves working with the body’s fascia, or soft tissue, to relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Some benefits include pain reduction, tension relief, increased mobility, and stress reduction.

• Massotherapy – Massotherapy focuses primarily on the muscles. Massotherapy benefits include improved circulation and pain management.

• Reflexology – Reflexology is based on a map of pressure points on the hands, feet, and ears that correspond to specific areas of the body. Similar to acupressure, applying appropriate pressure to these points can stimulate the flow of energy throughout the body. Benefits include increased blood flow, pain relief, eased stress, and profound relaxation.

For more information about the application and benefits of reflexology, visit yourfootpalace.com/reflexologist-massage-in-athens-ga/

• Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) – This technique uses light, rhythmic strokes to promote the body’s lymph system health. Benefits include reduced inflammation or edemas and pain relief from neuropathy.

• Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) – NMT is a massage technique applied to specific muscles to increase blood flow, ease muscle tension, or release pain/pressure on nerves.

If massage therapy fails to alleviate the symptoms of your condition, your primary care physician may recommend medical treatment.

Peripheral Neuropathy Medical Treatment

Medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy involves managing or targeting the condition causing the neuropathy and relieving the symptoms.

Depending on the type and cause of your neuropathy, one or a combination of the following treatments may be suggested or prescribed you:

Topical Treatment – Medicated creams and patches may be used to offer some pain relief.

Pain Relievers – Over-the-counter medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs that reduce pain, lower fever, prevent blood clots, and decrease inflammation.

In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe painkillers such as tramadol, or oxycodone. As these drugs can lead to addiction and dependence, they are generally prescribed only when other treatments fail.

Antidepressants – Some tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, can help relieve neuropathy pain. They do this by interfering with the chemical processes occurring in your brain and spinal cord, causing you to feel pain.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This procedure involves electrodes placed on the skin (in the affected area) that deliver an electric current at varying frequencies.

Physical Therapy – For muscle weakness, physical therapy may improve your movements. In more severe cases, you may need physical therapy to learn how to use hand or foot braces, a walker, or even a wheelchair.

Peripheral neuropathy condition and physical therapy treatment

Surgery – If your neuropathy is caused by pressure on nerves by tumors or abnormal growths, surgery may be a viable option to reduce or relieve that pressure.

Massage therapy may be used in conjunction with medical treatments (when cleared by your physician) to target specific conditions or symptoms.

It is always recommended to consult your primary care physician before using any type of therapy or medication to relieve the symptoms of neuropathy. The misuse or consumption of inaccurate doses of medication can potentially worsen or compound the underlying cause.

Neuropathy Pain and Treatment

Peripheral neuropathy can cause severe pain and discomfort that may leave you with a sense of instability and lead to grave health consequences. You can find relief from pain and relieve the symptoms of this condition by understanding neuropathy and how to treat it.

In this article, you discovered what peripheral neuropathy is, what symptoms to watch for, the various causes of the condition, and treatment options that can aid in your recovery.

Your immediate action to seek medical assistance at the first sign of neuropathy symptoms can avert the worsening of the condition and its development into something far worse.

Sources:
foundationforpn.org/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy/causes/
piedmont.org/living-better/benefits-of-hand-and-foot-massage-for-neuropathy
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens,  GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Couples Massage, Foot Massage Athens Ga, Foot Pain, Leg Pain, Massage Athens, Massage Athens Ga, Nerve Damage, Neuropathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Reflexology Athens Ga, Spa In Athens Ga

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196 Alps Rd Ste 31 Athens, GA 30606
Athens: (706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B Braselton, GA 30517
Braselton: (678) 963-5958‬

We are the best day spa in Athens and Braselton offering reflexology.
Call or stop by our spa in Athens Ga or Braselton near me for a day of relaxation.

 
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