Do your feet feel funny? Perhaps they tingle or feel numb, or maybe there’s pain that seems like needles poking your feet. These are signs of peripheral neuropathy.
Neuropathy — the medical name for nerve damage — consists of several types, of which peripheral neuropathy is the most common.
Savitri Gopaul, FNP-BC, of Commonwealth Pain Management and Wellness is a specialist in treating neuropathic pain. The feet are a common site for neuropathy to start, the result of infection, injury, or medical conditions such as diabetes.
Today, we take a closer look at how neuropathy affects your feet, including treatment methods to preserve your comfort.
When the sensory nerves in your feet have been compromised, you’ll notice sensory changes. Motor nerves, which work with muscles, may result in balance problems or muscle weakness when affected by neuropathy.
Some of the signs and symptoms you may experience include:
About 2.4% of the general population have some level of peripheral neuropathy, and this proportion rises for older demographics.
When there’s an underlying cause for your neuropathy, such as diabetes, treating the cause is usually the first step. For example, blood sugar control for diabetics prevents further nerve damage, slowing the progression of your condition.
Mild cases may be manageable with occasional use of pain medications. But these aren’t suited for ongoing control of a chronic condition. We may recommend physical therapy to improve balance, flexibility, and strength.
Because of the reasons for your neuropathy, you may be more prone to foot damage, like cuts, sores, or other injuries, since your ability to feel them could be impaired.
It’s also common to have circulatory problems in your feet when your neuropathy is the result of diabetes complications. We may recommend special foot care practices to help you cope.
Certain lifestyle changes can also reduce the impact of neuropathy on your feet. Consider changes such as:
When you need a pain management plan for neuropathy, contact us at Commonwealth Pain Management and Wellness in Richmond, Virginia. Call or click to book an appointment today.
