Relieving Neuropathy Pain Naturally: Relaxation

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes nerve damage, most often in the feet. Neuropathy is most commonly the result of diabetes, but can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, chemicals, poisons, toxins, excessive alcohol intake, kidney disease, cancer, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and repetitive activities. Symptoms of neuropathy include: numbness, tingling, aching pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, and experiencing electric shocks in the effected body part(s). Fortunately, there are several natural ways in which you can reduce the pain you feel with neuropathy. 

Researchers have discovered that when individuals who have neuropathy experience physical and/or mental stress, the pain they experience tends to get worse. This is because when an individual experiences stress or pain in the body, stress chemicals, such as adrenaline are released into the blood. There is a theory that if stress chemicals remain in the bloodstream for a long period of time, they will continue to aggravate the pain one already feels, making the pain worse. Thus, learning how to relax is one good way individuals with neuropathy can effectively relieve pain. 

There are two relaxation techniques therapists like to teach their clients in particular. The first is deep breathing:

• Slowly take a deep breath in, focusing on pushing your abdomen out while you do so. Count to five as you breath in deeply.
• Breathe out slowly, focusing on pushing your abdomen back in. Count to five as you slowly breathe out. 
• Repeat at least three times.
• Do this exercise many times throughout the day in order to stay relaxed.

The second relaxation exercise is known as progressive muscle relaxation. This exercise involves tightening specific muscle groups, then releasing the tension. For instance, first, you might tense up your face, scrunching up you nose, squeezing your eyes shut, and tightening the other muscles in your face. Hold the tension in your face for 10 seconds. Then, release the tension in your face, allowing all the muscles in your face to go limp. 

When you do progressive muscle relaxation, you only tighten one muscle group at a time. There are more in depth instructions on how to tense each muscle group at the American Lung Association. 

Relaxation should help reduce the pain you experience from peripheral neuropathy. 

Over the next several posts, I will discuss other ways in which you can relieve neuropathy pain naturally. 

Follow the series here:

1. Reduce Neuropathy pain with Relaxation
2. Neuropathy and Acupucture
3. Neuropathy Pain Relief:  Massage Therapy and Reflexology
4. Neuropathy and Natural Pain Relief: Magnetic Therapy
5. Neuropathy and Vitamins

Source: Numb Toes, Aching Soles: Coping With Peripheral Neuropathy by John A. Senneef. 

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