Neuropathy is a disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. It generally starts from the feet and gradually ascends to the ankles, legs, hands and arms. About 15 to 20 million adult Americans suffer from some form of neuropathy. Diabetes, lupus, HIV, exposure to neurotoxic metals like arsenic, lead, mercury and thyroid gland dysfunction are some of the causes of neuropathy. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain and muscle weakness.
Treatment
Management of neuropathy depends on the cause. Foot neuropathy caused by chronic hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes is treated by normalizing blood sugar levels, reducing body weight and doing regular exercise. By comparison, foot neuropathy caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency is corrected by giving B-12 supplements. Current treatment for neuropathy includes pain and antidepressant medications, electric nerve stimulation, acupuncture and biofeedback, and therapeutic exercises.
Exercise Therapy
If you avoid regular workouts due to foot neuropathy, there are various safe, beneficial, low-impact exercises that you can perform with your doctor's approval. Swimming, water aerobics, cross-country skiing, bicycling, hatha yoga, Pilates, beginner tai-chi and strolling are good exercises for you. If you have trouble balancing, exercise your feet while sitting on a chair. Lift your toes from the floor and tap them in the air. Repeat five times on each foot. Then lift your toes off the floor, point them forward, then turn them outward -- forming a "V" -- while keeping your heels together. Next, move your ankles in a clockwise motion. Do this five times and relax.
Benefits
Active and passive forms of exercise improve blood circulation, enable walking by mobilizing joints, reduce cramps and rigidity caused by contracted muscles, strengthen weak muscles, improve range of motion, restore balance, reduce pain and promote relaxation.
Tips and Warning
Avoid harmful repetitive weight-bearing exercises like running because they exert pressure on the feet and may cause injury. Do not exercise for prolonged periods of time. Instead, train for a few minutes every day or most days of the week. Do not wear worn-out shoes. If you have Charcot foot or a damaged arch, wear arch support. Inspect your feet every day for bruises, blisters, cuts or sores and treat each disorder accordingly. Wear clean dry socks daily. Avoid exercises that involve abrupt starts and stops to minimize impact on the joints, muscles, bones and other tissues.
Damaged nerves can regenerate as long as the cells that make them up are still alive. By performing regular gentle therapeutic exercises, you can facilitate this process, minimize the adverse impact of foot neuropathy and regain a better quality of life.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet; Feb. 18, 2011
- "Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine"; Small Fiber Neuropathy: A Burning Problem; Tavee, J. & Zhou, L.; May 2009
- Pubmed: Prevalence of Lower Extremity Diseases Associated with Normal Glucose Levels, Impaired Fasting Glucose, and Diabetes Among U.S. Adults Aged 40 or Older; Gregg, F. W. et al.; September 2007
- Joslin Diabetes Center: Exercising with Diabetes and Peripheral Neuropathy; Michael See; Feb. 4, 2011
- Sit and Be Fit: Neuropathy and Exercise; Mary A. Wilson
