Just launched! An energizing blend of 8 B vitamins. Claim your bottle of B-Complex now. CLICK HERE.
NEW! Native NAC is here - GET IT NOW.
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS. SHOP NOW
Over 8,000 5-star reviews, stock up on our Original Collagen Peptides now! CLICK HERE.
Text PATH to 53974 for 20% OFF
Just launched! An energizing blend of 8 B vitamins. Claim your bottle of B-Complex now. CLICK HERE.
NEW! Native NAC is here - GET IT NOW.
Updated on August 8, 2024
Once you’ve felt the pain of neuropathy, you’ll never forget it. The weakness, pain, and numbness caused by this condition are like no other.
Neuropathy happens when one or more of your nerves are diseased or not functioning properly. Peripheral neuropathy, the most common type of neuropathy, impacts the nerves in your hands, feet, arms, and legs.
Typically, your peripheral nerves send messages from your brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. But when those nerves are damaged by neuropathy, the messages get intercepted. This alters how your body reacts to pain, temperature changes, and other factors. If you have chronic neuropathic pain, these symptoms can flare at any time without an apparent reason.
A common cause of neuropathy is disease, especially diabetes, which causes 30% of cases of neuropathy. Other causes include treatment for cancer, infections, limb loss, injuries, and long-term excessive drinking (1).
This condition is astoundingly common. Around 1 in 3 Americans live with chronic pain, and of those Americans, 20% have neuropathic pain (2). One 2014 study estimated that as many as 10% of all Americans have some form of neuropathic pain (3). It’s a tough condition, but there are natural ways to treat it…
Before we dive into natural treatment options, let’s take a look at the symptoms of neuropathy. Every person’s experience of the condition is different, but some of the most common symptoms include:
Native Note: If you have peripheral neuropathy specifically, you may also experience a gradual onset of numbness, which starts in your hands and spreads to your arms and legs.
Depending on which nerves are damaged, there are several types of neuropathy. Here are seven of the most common ones…
This is the most common type of neuropathy, which arises from damage to the peripheral nervous system. Most neuropathy advice is focused on peripheral neuropathy. It impacts the nerves in your hands, feet, arms, and legs.
Also known as neuropathic arthropathy, Charcot’s Joint happens when a joint breaks down due to problems with the nerves. This usually happens in the foot. People with Charcot’s Joint tend to lose most feeling in their feet. On top of that, their muscles aren’t able to properly support the joint, so walking may become difficult. People who already have neuropathy are at risk for this condition.
Cranial neuropathy impacts the 12 sets of nerves that connect with the brain and influence sight, hearing, eye movement, and taste. This condition can paralyze the eye muscle and cause double vision. The different types of cranial neuropathies include Bell’s palsy, microvascular cranial nerve palsy, third nerve palsy, fourth nerve palsy, sixth nerve palsy, and multiple cranial neuropathies (MCN).
This relatively common type of neuropathy is caused by a single nerve being damaged. It causes numbness and swelling. Carpal tunnel is the most well-known example of compression mononeuropathy.
This condition causes sudden weakness or pain, and can affect just one nerve or a group of nerves. It can cause double vision, pain in the thigh or other targeted body parts, or a type of partial facial paralysis called Bell’s palsy.
Most cases of femoral neuropathy occur in people who have type 2 diabetes. It affects the legs, causing pain and muscle weakness in the thighs.
Unilateral foot drop is caused by damage to the peroneal nerve in the leg. People who have this condition cannot lift the affected foot.
If you’re looking to reverse neuropathy, here are some home remedies to try…
If you have peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes, your symptoms may put your feet at risk for unexpected everyday damage. Because you may not always have much feeling in your foot, you might not feel pain. If a small object gets stuck in your shoe or if you step on something sharp, your foot could get hurt or develop an ulcer without you noticing.
Diabetic socks are designed to address this risk while also keeping your feet dry, cozy, and well-circulated. They are usually designed without seams to keep your feet free of damaging friction, with breathable moisture-wicking fabric to prevent infection, and with padding to keep your feet extra safe.
Diabetic socks can make life with neuropathy easier, but if you have poor circulation in your feet, make sure that you choose a sock fit that is both snug enough to prevent rubbing against the skin, but breathable enough to prevent cutting off your circulation. Pair your diabetic socks with comfortable shoes that don’t squeeze too tightly on your feet.
Anti-inflammatory supplements like krill oil can help manage neuropathy and its symptoms (4, 5). Krill oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which can manage neuropathic pain while promoting neuron growth. Not only that, it has a mind-boggling range of other benefits, including reducing risks of chronic disease and improving cholesterol (6, 7, 8).
In cases of neuropathy that are caused by an autoimmune disease, krill oil’s anti-inflammatory effects can also help manage the root symptoms of the disease itself (9).
You can reap the benefits of krill oil and its powerful omega-3s by taking a dose of the supplement each day.
Some research has suggested that certain essential oils can help manage nerve pain. Peppermint oil can help soothe muscles and relieve pain, and a study indicated that patients may feel immediate pain when applying the oil topically (10). Roman chamomile may also be able to soothe muscles and potentially ease inflammatory disorders, while lavender has been found to relax the muscles as well (11).
Certain blends of multiple essential oils may also help manage neuropathy. In one 2010 study, some participants found relief from a mix of geranium, bergamot, lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils (12).
Native Note: If you plan to try essential oils at home, be sure to dilute them with a carrier oil (like coconut oil or olive oil) before applying to your skin.
In addition to direct topical pain relief, diffusing relaxing oils in the air may offer some relief from the anxiety and exhaustion of living with chronic pain. (Just take note, many essential oils aren’t safe to diffuse around pets!)
Curcumin, a powerful compound found in turmeric, has been linked to neuropathy relief in studies. This potent ingredient is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. It may help soothe numbness and tingling in your feet or hands.
A 2013 study found that when taken in the early stages of neuropathy, curcumin may be able to prevent chronic neuropathic pain (13).
In 2014, an animal study found that curcumin may ease symptoms of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, though additional human studies are needed in order to know more (14).
If you choose to take curcumin in supplement form, look for one that’s combined with black seed oil. This increases curcumin’s bioavailability, which means it’s easier for your body to absorb it and reap its maximum benefits.
Acupuncture is a fantastic component of traditional Chinese medicine that involves placing very thin needles in your skin at specific points throughout the body. Acupuncture is known for a wide range of benefits, including managing neuropathic pain. Acupuncture releases endorphins, which create a positive, pain-relieving feeling throughout the body (15).
Studies have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for neuropathic pain, and it offers soothing results without the side effects that would come along with medication (16, 17, 18). The treatment can also help protect your nerves from potential future damage (19).
Exercise, especially aerobics and stretching, can help lower the intensity of neuropathic pain (20). Regular physical activity can help slow nerve damage and improve circulation (21). It can also be a helpful outlet for managing the stress that can come with experiencing a chronic condition (22).
Neuropathy can be painful and debilitating, but your symptoms don’t have to feel this way forever. There are plenty of natural options for managing neuropathic pain, including krill oil supplements, acupuncture, curcumin supplements, essential oils, herbs, socks, and regular exercise.
Nerve damage caused by diabetes can’t be reversed. However, you can manage the nerve pain from diabetic neuropathy through acupuncture and other treatments, and you can protect your feet from neuropathy-related injuries with diabetic socks.
On top of that, you can manage diabetes by taking steps to regulate your blood sugar. Researchers are currently exploring potential methods to treat diabetic nerve damage, so there may be ways to reverse diabetic neuropathy in the future.
Claire Hannum is a New York City-based writer, editor, wellness seeker, and reiki practitioner. Her writing has appeared in Self, Health, Prevention, and over a dozen other publications.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.
