Effectively Manage Nerve Pain: Try These Exercises for Neuropathy

Updated on April 10th, 2020
neuropathy

Why Use Physical Therapy in Neuropathy Cure

Exercises for neuropathy is one of the most potent ways of treating neuropathy. Physical activities help the body to experience relief, muscle coordination, etc. You tend to get rid of a dysfunctional nervous system over time. Neuropathy can have several underlying causes, and each kind of neuropathy needs to be treated accordingly. But physical therapy seems to be one of the best ways to effectively treat all types of neuropathic conditions.

Exercises That You Can Opt For

Exercises for neuropathy are effective. But you need to be aware of the right set of exercises that will work for you(1). Here are the different kinds of exercises which are useful in treating neuropathy at home.

1. Aerobic Exercises

Aerobic exercises have a positive impact on your breathing rate. For the best results, you will need to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day for 3-5 days a week. You can start even with 5-10 minutes of exercise every day and then increase it steadily.

Aerobic Exercises That You Could Try –

  • Brisk walks (You can use a treadmill instead)
  • Low-impact aerobics classes
  • Swimming or water aerobic exercises
  • Stationary gym bicycling

2. Flexibility Exercises

Flexibility Exercise
Image: ShutterStock

Also known as stretching, will help you to maintain flexible joints and significantly decrease the chance of an injury. Mild stretching exercises will help you to warm up for aerobic activities.

These are one of the best exercises for peripheral neuropathy in feet.

[Read: Natural Treatments for Neuropathy]

3. Calf Stretch

Place one of your right leg behind you, and the toe should be slightly inward. Now take a much more significant step in front with your left leg. With your knee slightly bent,  lean forward and maintain a straight posture. Hold the position for 15-20 seconds. Repeat this posture for each of your legs.

4. Seated Hamstring Stretch

Hamstring Stretch

Place yourself on the edge of a chair and put one of the legs out straight but the foot should point up. Now bend the other keen which will keep your foot flat on the floor. Slowly center the chest over the straightened leg and maintain a steady back. Do this for 15-20 seconds for each of the legs.

[Also Read: Supplements For Treating Neuropathy]

5. Strength Training

Strength Training

Strength training, as the name suggests, provides better strength to your muscles and makes them more resistant to injuries. These Exercises for neuropathy are the best ways to counter the problem.

Here are some strength training exercises for foot neuropathy which you can practice –

  • Kitchen Counter Calf Raises

Face the kitchen counter. Place your palms flat on the counter and keep the feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly your raise heels off the floor, placing all your weight on the balls or your feet. Slowly return to the starting position. Do this for 10-12 times for each leg.

  • Chair Squat

Sit on a firm chair which has an armrest and position the feet in a split manner. Keep one of the feet at the chair’s base and the other comfortably upfront. Now slowly transfer your bodyweight towards your legs and slowly stand up. Now, lower yourself to reach the chair with your hips, and then press back up once again. Repeat this for 15-20 times daily.

  • Seated Dorsiflexion

Sit on the front half of a chair and lay your feet flat on the ground. Now gradually pull both the toes and the ankle as high as possible. Then slowly place them down and keep repeating.

[Also Read: Acupuncture to Treat Neuropathy Pain]

Did You Know!

  • There are more than 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy with each having their own set of symptoms and characteristics.
  • There is no medical treatment for hereditary neuropathy. But there are therapies to help you get relief from its symptoms.
  • In neuropathies likes Guillain-Barré syndrome, the symptoms appear all of a sudden, and progress in a rapid manner.

Should You Do Exercises in Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy can seriously affect your normal health. Patients often experience severe loss of sensation, stability in walking, and even their balance. However, there are different exercises for neuropathy, which can help them recover from this disorder.

By following a fixed and disciplined exercise schedule, one can prevent diabetic neuropathy. Different aerobic exercises, strength exercises, and also functional exercise have all shown positive results in decreasing the intensity of the symptoms.

They work by suppressing the symptoms or by improving the overall condition of the nerves, making them more active. In addition to these, regular exercises show improvement in glucose levels and counter different complications.

You can practice different kinds of exercises for neuropathy at your home or by visiting a gym. But you need to ensure that you are doing it regularly and for a reasonable amount of time, approximately 30-35 minutes. Neuropathy can be troublesome, and that is why we have extensively discussed exercises for peripheral neuropathy, to help you stretch your ailing muscles effectively and to help you get rid relief of the associated pain.


FAQs

1. Is walking good exercise for neuropathy?

Ans. Yes. Walking is a kind of aerobics exercise which you can carry out to get rid of Neuropathy. Make sure you walk for at least 25-30 minutes for 3-5 times a week.

2. Can you reverse neuropathy?

Nerve damage from diabetes cannot be reversed. However, researchers are investigating methods to treat nerve damage caused by diabetes. While you can not reverse the damage from neuropathy, there are ways to help manage the condition, including lowering your blood sugar.

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