Tips and Tricks for patients suffering from neuropathic pain
Reflex massage and neuropathic pain
Some patients are diabetics and suffer from painfull feet. They tell us sometimes that relief on the pain in the feet can be brought by massage reflexology during 5-10 minutes, especially before going to bed.
Socks and shoes and neuropatic pain
Avoid wearing tight socks and shoes, see your podologist if you are in doubt whether your shoes are optimal.
Exercise and neuropatic pain
Appropriate exercise can reduce neuropathy pain; talk to your doctor or physiotherapist about devising an appropriate regimen, which fits your needs and possibilities.
Creams and neuropatic pain
Other patients find relief with OTC creams, such as hot chili pepper ointments, such as Zostrix or Capsacin or Capzasin-HP. These are sold over the counter in drug stores in the VS. Do not apply to broken skin or skin suffering from eczema!
The topical anesthetic lidocaine, in the form of a patch or a cream, can be applied to feet or hands where the pain is most bothersome.
Inspection of feet, avoiding pressure
If you have numbness in your feet and toes due to neuropathy, inspect your feet regularly for cuts and sores on your feet as these don’t hurt as much as you would expect. Prevention is the key!
Patients with neuropathy are prone to new nerve injury at pressure points (knees and elbows). They should avoid prolonged pressure on these areas from leaning on the elbows, crossing the knees, etc.
TENS and neuropathic pain
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units are sometimes useful in treatment of moderate to severe neuropathy when patients doe not want drug therapy, or drug therapy does not produce optimal results. Consult with your doctor or physiotherapist and select a TENS device with a so called HAN programme, administrating 2 and 80-100 Hertz alternatively.
Drugs aggravating neuropathic pain
One patient reported in the internet that he was presctribed simvastatin (Zocor), I noticed stange needle like and burning pains in my toes and heels. The nurse at the doctor’s office suggested taking CQ-10.
If you use these cholesterol lowering statins, ask your doctor about the posibility of neuropathy as a side effect.
From the Centre for the study and treatment of neuropathic pain and neuropathy in Soest, the Nertherlands
This site helps patients and treating physicians, neurologists, anesthesiologists and other pain specialists to find the best and most up to date research findings related to neuropathy and neuropathic pain and the treatment thereof.
In our centre we are specialised in treating patients suffering from neuropathic pain and neuropathy following an Integrated Medicine concept. Part of our activities are within the field of consultation. We assist pharmaceutical companies in R&D strategies related to finding new drugs to treat neuropathic pain and neuropathy.
February 2010, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, MD, PhD.
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