How Neuropathy Affects Your Feet

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. 

Signs and symptoms of neuropathy in the feet

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: 

• Reduced sensation or numbness —  feeling as though you’re wearing socks that block normal contact sensations
• Intermittent stabbing pain or chronic burning sensations
• Sensitivity in your feet
• Pins-and-needles sensations
• Weakness in your feet or lower legs
• Balance problems — a potential combination of lost sensation and muscle weakness
• Foot ulcers and other complications

About 2.4% of the general population have some level of peripheral neuropathy, and this proportion rises for older demographics. 

Treating foot neuropathy

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: 

• Quitting smoking or the use of other tobacco products
• Limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day or less
• Losing excess weight, which improves circulation and reduces the load on your feet
• Altering your eating plan to feature plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fat
• Staying physically active to reduce the impact of conditions that may harm nerves

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.