Diabetic foot pain, also called diabetic neuropathy of the foot, is a medical condition that stems from high blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar level skyrockets out of its normal range, the nerves (fibers that innervate the muscles in your body) in your foot get damaged and result in excruciating foot pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetic neuropathy is the most common diabetic complication. There are specific steps to relieve diabetic foot pain.
Step 1
Go to your family doctor and obtain a prescription for an anti-seizure medication, tricyclic antidepressant, lidocaine patch, capsaicin or opiod analgesic. Anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin help treat the nerve pain in diabetic neuropathy. Tricylic antidepressants such as amitriptyline alter the chemicals in your brain to decrease your perception of pain. A lidocaine patch is applied directly to your foot to relieve diabetic foot pain. Capsaicin is a chemical found in hot peppers that when placed on your skin, can relieve foot pain. Opioid analgesics such as codeine are addictive narcotics used only in extreme cases of foot pain when all other pain medications are exhausted.
Step 2
Obtain alpha-lipoic acid therapy (ALA) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy (TENS). ALA therapy involves intravenous (given through your vein) administration of ALA (an antioxidant substance that prevents harmful chemical reactions in your body). TENS therapy involves placing tiny electrodes on your foot that emit electricity. Your brain's perception of pain in your foot is then decreased.
Step 3
Seek acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture involves placing tiny needles into your foot to help decrease your diabetic foot pain. Acupuncture does not provide immediate relief and more acupuncture sessions are required, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Use hypnosis, meditation and yoga to relieve your diabetic foot pain. Go to a hypnotherapist and he will help alter your perception of pain. Meditation and yoga involve focusing on a specific behavior like breathing to decrease any muscle tension that may contribute to your diabetic foot pain.
Things You'll Need
- Anti-seizure medication such as gabapentin
- Tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline
- Lidocaine patch
- Capsaicin
- Opioid analgesics such as codeine
- Alpha-lipoic acid therapy (ALA)
- Transelectrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
