Treating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Naturally
Peripheral Neuropathy is the Most Common Neuropathy Affecting Diabetics
May 6-12 is National Peripheral Neuropathy week and it’s important to bring awareness that Diabetic Neuropathy. Did you know that Sixty percent of diabetics have some type of neuropathy in their feet? Five percent of diabetics will experience painful diabetic neuropathy and the incidence increases with age. Over 45% of individuals who have had diabetes for over 25 years will experience some symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy.
Burning, numbness, tingling, hot and cold sensations, shooting and electrical pain are common sensations felt at rest in painful peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is an abnormality of the nervous system. There are many different types of neuropathy, but the most common neuropathy effecting diabetics is peripheral neuropathy.
There are currently no treatments to help reverse diabetic neuropathy. There are no treatments which help reduce the numbness. But, there are many treatments to help decrease the pain associated with the neuropathy. At Monmouth Advanced Medicine, we recommend LiteCure Laser therapy which penetrates the muscles, joints and tendons of the body. It is safe and gentle enough to use all over the body to immediately alleviate pain. We also offer Quantum Neurology® nerve rehabilitation as another therapy treatment for the nerves.
Here are some helpful treatments if you choose not to take medication:
1. Keep your blood sugar in control: Studies have shown that when blood sugars remain high, or roller coaster from high to low, peripheral neuropathy will worsen.
2. Exercise. This is probably the last thing you wanted to hear. Exercise helps increase circulation and stimulates the growth of new vessels which help slow the progression of the neuropathy. Exercising also helps to increase your pain threshold and to provide a distraction from the nerve pain in your feet.
3. Eat healthy. Besides helping to control your blood sugar, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will add anti-oxidants to your diet. Anti-oxidants will combat the damaging oxidative effects glucose has on your nerves. In particular, try dark-green, leafy vegetables, yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits and tomatoes.
4. Try red pepper powder. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chile peppers. When applied to the feet it acts as a counter-irritant and can help decrease neuropathic pain. Capsaicin can be purchased at your local drug store. If you cannot afford capsaicin, try mixing 1 tablespoon of dry chile powder with 2 tablespoons of baby powder. Place the mixture in a sock and use the socks at night.
5. LiteCure Laser: LiteCure Laser Therapy decreases inflammation, increases cell function and promotes healing and is FDA recognized.
6. Quantum Neurology®: restore nerve connectivity and function through nerve rehabilitation light therapy and testing treatment.