Experiencing nerve pain is difficult to ignore as you go throughout your day. Even the slightest touch may cause a painful sensation. Sometimes the nerve pain you feel is spontaneous, interrupting your pain-free moments and reminding you of the ongoing issue you’re experiencing.
Finding any type of physical and emotional relief is the goal for anyone suffering from various levels of nerve damage. Thankfully, along with a wide variety of painkillers that your doctor may recommend or prescribe, there are practical and emotional tips worth putting into practice right away.
What is Nerve Pain and What Causes it?
Nerve pain or neuropathic pain is the result of damage to your nervous system, either originating in your central nervous system (your spine and brain) or your peripheral nerves (ligaments, arms, legs, fingers, etc.)
Anytime your nerve fibers are damaged in any of the two major nervous system locations, the signals get mixed up, resulting in pain. The wrong signals are transferred and received in the wrong places.
For example, having someone lightly touch your arm shouldn’t cause a painful sensation. The signals are incorrect and this happens for a number of reasons.
What can cause nerve damage?
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- HIV or AIDS
- Strokes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Amputation, etc.
Practical Tips for Managing Nerve Pain
Consider adopting the following tips to see a significant improvement in nerve pain.
Quit Smoking— Smoking is shown to reduce blood circulation throughout your body. When your extremities lack proper blood circulation, they also lack nutrients that the blood delivers throughout your body. Without nutrients, your peripheral nervous system is more sensitive and feels even greater pain.
Exercise regularly— Exercise increases your blood circulation, which is what your body needs to distribute nutrients and assist your body in reducing blood sugar levels. Adding more walking to your daily routine is shown to significantly lower nerve pain.
Hot Cream— Often used for muscle relief and recovery, capsaicin also helps reduce the pain of nerve damage, rheumatoid arthritis and shooting pain in your body.
Magnesium Glycinate — This type of magnesium is specifically helpful for nerve pain or any degenerative disorders. It breaks down easily in the body and bloodstream.
Essential Oils — Various types of essential oils are credited with nerve damage relief. Consider trying:
- Ginger
- Chamomile
- St. John’s Wort
- Lavender
- Holy Basil
- Peppermint
Anti-Inflammatory diet — Changing your eating habits is beneficial for promoting good health in general. But specifically, anti-inflammatory diets are the best change you can make to address the root causes of many preventable diseases that lead to nerve damage. The food you consume is the best medicinal solution you can reach for on a daily basis to see real changes in your nerve damage.
Music therapy — Music is powerful in keeping your mind from the disruptions that happen when your nerves are damaged. Certain music promotes positive emotions and encourages you when you are struggling with an ongoing problem such as nerve pain.
Taking steps towards better health, regulations through medicine and distractions are sure to benefit you immediately and in the long term with continuous execution.
South Coast Post Acute is Southern California’s Premier post-acute Partner
Better health and healing are possible with the right professional oversight. At South Coast Post Acute, we deliver specialized skilled nursing services to restore health, regain autonomy and reduce the occurrences of rehospitalization.
South Coast Post Acute is here for you, at any age. Our innovative care, experienced staff, and welcoming accommodations combine to bring you the high level of care you’ve come to expect from Southern California’s leading post-acute provider.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help on your journey back to restored health.