According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), nerve damage that causes mild to severe pain is an eventuality for most of those living with diabetes. The nerve fibers of the body are very susceptible to high levels of blood sugar and, because of the proximity of the legs and feet to the heart in the blood circulation process, the nerves in the feet become more affected. Pain relief can be difficult to achieve and while there are a number of prescription drugs available, several holistic methods have also been shown to effectively alleviate diabetic foot pain.
Massage
Manual stimulation of the nerves and tissues of the feet can be used to create better sensation for those experiencing numbness and soothe muscle tension and spasms. Reflexology, a massage technique that uses principles of acupressure and focuses on promoting overall health through working with the feet, may be beneficial. In this way, the natural pressure points in the feet can be utilized to increase circulation and decrease pain.
Acupuncture
This form of traditional Chinese medicine works in much the same way as acupressure, using small, thin needles rather than the hands to activate pressure points. Acupuncture needles are sterilized, safe and painless when used properly. According to a study published in the November 1996 edition of the journal "Acupuncture in Medicine," acupuncture has been shown to be effective against chronic pain symptoms where previous multiple treatments have failed.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique wherein a hypnotherapist can induce a willing individual into a relaxing hypnotic state and give targeted instructions to the subconscious mind to carry out for the person's benefit. With help from a qualified therapist, instructions can be designed to decrease mental and physical perception of and response to pain both during and after the session.
Electricity
Biofeedback therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are two forms of treatments that utilize electricity to relieve pain symptoms. In biofeedback, a machine is used in various ways to instruct the body how to control physical pain responses, and then the individual is taught to do this herself unaided. TENS therapy involves using electrodes on the skin to send electrical impulses to particular nerves in order to stop the brain from receiving signals of pain.
Relaxation
Muscle tension, mental stress, and emotional stress can worsen the effects of foot pain by negatively impacting the symptoms. Practices intended to decrease stress and tension and increase relaxation can work well in conjunction with other therapies for the relief of diabetic foot pain. Meditation, breathing exercises, creative visualization, yoga, aromatherapy and massage are examples of techniques known to facilitate relaxation.
