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Has anyone tried acupuncture for neuropathy foot pain??
Neuropathy | Last Active: Feb 18 8:28pm | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
Note: Acupuncture is recognized by the US NIH, as having proven medical benefits.
I get acupuncture. I have injuries from car accidents. Acupuncture (with electric stim) is the only thing that gets my back out of pain (L4 an L5 and now others also).
It is also useful for other things.
That being said, it seems to help for awhile. Maybe powerfully for a couple of days and then somewhat over the course of a month. But without any, I would be a total wreck.
I have sciatica and neuropathy. Frankly, I am not always sure which is which.
I have not directed my acupuncturist to treat that, but, I think some of the general acupuncture may help.
What absolutely helps me is compression.
I have done compression socks. But I go farther. I have an anklet, which is much stronger than a regular compression sock.
I have a wrap for my knees, for my arms and for my hands also.
When I do all of them, I do get profound relief from pain.
I do a lot of other things as well...meditation, Hatha Yoga. So other things may be helping.
I would encourage you to try some natural remedies...and note that some may help only a bit. But if you find a few things, that each help a bit, cumulatively, you may get some real symptom reduction.
I also do magnetic therapy. There is supposed to be a strong relationship between magnetic therapy and neuropathy. So, that may be one of the therapies that is helping reduce the neuropathy pain.
With the magnets, I don't use the little ones. I use the most powerful kind. I am not sure how that would interact with you, but you could ask a doctor if he thinks it is ok to try.
Note: with the most powerful magnets, you do have to keep all phones and computers away from them...as the magnetism at that level will destroy those devices.
I am not always consistent in how much therapy I do. Generally, I think when I do get the neuropathy pains, it does tend to be when I haven't been doing the therapies as much.
All that being said, I don't think that neuropathy easily responds to treatments. I do many, many, many things. I assume some of the things in that mix, in coordination with each other, are what is managing the neuropathy pain.
Also note that acupuncturists vary. The most skilled ones are tons better than just any old acupuncturist. So, see if you can find someone who has been doing it forever and has a great reputation.
best of luck...
Replies to "Note: Acupuncture is recognized by the US NIH, as having proven medical benefits. I get acupuncture...."
Medication has been suggested by my Dr but no thanks. It's worst at night. I find when I'm on my feet more during the day, pain lessens at night. Go figure. Most Drs and laypeople tell me there's really not much that helps. I've purchased an inexpensive flat pad (batt op) stimulator--gives electric impulses, zaps. Not painful but it feels better after I use it and I'm hoping it will stimulate blood flow in my feet and legs.
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Thanks for this helpful information. A lot of people have been skeptical of magnetic therapies but they have merit when used in the correct way with the correct equipment. Early this year the FDA approved a new magnetic therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy that I believe represents a major breakthrough. And since virtually all neuropathies have as their proximal cause mitochondrial/endothelial dysfunctions resulting in axonal failure I believe this therapy is applicable to PN's generally ascribed to a broad range of etiologies. Here is an excerpt from Neuralace Medical's announcement in January of this year:
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuralace Medical, Inc., an innovator in pain management technology, today proudly announces the FDA clearance of its groundbreaking product, Axon Therapy (mPNS), for the treatment of chronic Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN). This landmark approval marks the first-ever FDA clearance of a non-invasive, magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS) treatment for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy, offering new hope to millions suffering from this debilitating condition.
Axon Therapy utilizes a pioneering approach of magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS) to deliver a quick, painless, and non-invasive treatment. Each session, painless and lasting just 13.5 minutes, harnesses the power of magnetic pulses to provide relief, representing a significant advancement in pain management.
In a recent double-blind Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) involving 71 patients, Axon Therapy demonstrated remarkable efficacy. The study included 21 participants in a sham group and 50 in the mPNS active group, with the sham group given an opportunity to cross over (CX group) at 30 days. The primary endpoint, Day 30 Visual Analog Scale Pain Score (VAS), alongside secondary endpoints including Patient Reported Outcomes, highlighted significant improvements in subject outcomes.
Key findings include:
A 72.3% responder rate in the treatment group at Day 30.
A 57.6% average reduction in VAS Pain Score in the treatment group at Day 30.
A 35% average reduction in numbness in the treatment group at Day 30.
A 20% average reduction in QoL-DN total score at Day 30.
At Day 90, the treatment group exhibited an 81.4% responder rate, with the CX group showing an 88.9% responder rate.
At Day 90, PGIC responder rates of 93.0% in the treatment group and 83.3% in the CX group.
"These results not only demonstrate the effectiveness of Axon Therapy in reducing pain and numbness associated with PDN but also highlight its role in significantly enhancing the quality of life for patients," stated Lora Brown, MD, Principal investigator of the study.