Nerve pain in the feet legit snatches your power of walking. You face all this difficulty just because an injury, illness, or poor lifestyle caused damage to your peripheral nerves. Not only does it affect your feet but also your daily life as it makes simple tasks more challenging.
“Around 2.4% of people have a form of PN” (Source: NCBI)
But how do you understand this specific condition? Some common symptoms include:
- Burning Sensation
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Sharp, Shooting Pain
- Sensitivity to Touch
Because pain is one of the first things you suffer from, it leaves you with several other issues in daily life:
- Mobility Issues
- Sleep Disturbances
- Challenges with routine activities.
- Emotional Strain
- Imbalanced Work and Social Life
Although there are many techniques, a very common treatment of nerve pain in feet would be Red Light Therapy. It’s safe, gentle, and on top super effective.
Common Causes of Nerve Pain in Feet
Peripheral Neuropathy
This happens when something affects your peripheral nerves. It causes weakness and then pain in different body extremities including your feet.
Some causes of peripheral neuropathy are:
Injuries and Trauma
Certain situations can leave you with— cuts, fractures, or sprains in your feet. It can be car accidents; falls; slips; or object strikes.
Regardless of the type, such injuries strike the peripheral nerves. When tissues around those nerves get injured, they start swelling and pressing on the nerves. This brings on inflammation, disrupts nerve signals, and irritation. Because nerves send abnormal signals to your brain as this happens, it leads to— pain and tingling in your feet.
Trauma can result from an impact or crush injury. It can stretch, tear, or compress peripheral nerves and affect them. When your nerves undergo such trauma, the body’s first response is— inflammation and swelling. This further worsens the nerve compression and damage and ends in pain in your feet.
Be it injury or trauma, your feet can feel a sharp, burning, or throbbing pain after the incident.
Chronic Health Conditions
Multiple health conditions can make you suffer from nerve pain in your feet big time. They trigger your body’s immune system to attack itself.
Result– it causes damage to your peripheral nerves and then you get nerve pain in feet.
Some conditions are:
Autoimmune Diseases
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lupus
Infections
- Lyme Disease
- HIV
Lifestyle Factors
Nerve pain in the feet can also come from bad lifestyle habits, especially the ones that put strains on your feet. Two of them are-
Poor Footwear:
The wrong footwear can trigger peripheral nerves. It can be-
- Tight pairs
- Bad cushioning
- Inadequate arch support
- Lack of comfort
When you wear such shoes, the constant pressure and friction trigger the nerves in your feet to get compressed. This compression interrupts blood flow and results in inflammation— then nerve pain in your feet.
Standing or Walking For A Longer Period
Standing and walking for too long affects your peripheral nervous system, especially if it’s on hard surfaces. Because you’re putting a lot of stress on your feet, it ends up a series of multiple issues–
Inflammation > swelling > nerve compression > disrupted functioning > and finally pain.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Another culprit of foot pain is deficiencies in nutrients.
For instance, a lack of vitamins B12, B6, B1, and E causes foot pain.
All these nutrients ensure–
- Smooth and efficient transmission of nerve signals
- Converts food into energy to boost nerve functioning
- Stimulates neurotransmitter synthesis to let nerve cells communicate properly
- Protects nerve in your feet from damage
When your body is low on vitamins, it affects nerves around your feet. Consequently, you feel pain.
Diagnosis and Medical Evaluation
When To See A Doctor
Mayo Clinic has detailed everything regarding what you should do in case there’s foot pain.
Seek medical attention if you–
- Have severe pain
- Have severe swelling
- Have an open wound
- Have a wound that’s oozing pus.
- Have any wound that isn’t healing
- Have a wound that’s deep, red, or swollen
- Have a wound that’s warm to the touch.
- Have signs of infection like redness, warmth, and tenderness
- Have a fever over 100F
- Can’t walk
- Can’t put weight on the foot
- Have diabetes
Consult a doctor if you—
- Have pain that doesn’t lessen after several weeks.
- Have swelling that doesn’t heal after 2-5 days of home treatment
- Have burning pain, numbness, or tingling after several weeks.
6 Common Diagnostic Tests
Nerve Conduction Studies
Mainly measures how well and how fast nerves conduct electrical signals.
Blood Tests
Such tests work to identify underlying health conditions, be it diabetes or vitamin deficiencies.
Ultrasound
Uses sound waves to produce images of peripheral nerves and surrounding tissues.
CT Scan
Works to spot nerve compression or any other abnormalities in nerve functioning.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
This procedure gives you detailed images of the nerves to spot any structural issues or damage.
Importance Of A Comprehensive Medical History
- Identifies Underlying Conditions
- Reveals Previous Injuries
- Highlights Lifestyle Factors
- Unearths Nutrient Deficiencies
- Aids in Tailoring Treatment
Treatment Options
Medications
- Pain Relievers: Some over-the-counter medicines can help ease pain in your foot. However, make sure to consult a doctor beforehand.
- Antidepressants and Anticonvulsants: Such medicines work to manage nerve pain in your feet as they alter how your brain perceives soreness.
Therapies
1.Exercises
It can work to improve strength and flexibility. A good physical therapist can guide you through different workouts so they can help in making your feet stronger and mobility more agile.
2.Physical Therapy
Options like massage and heat application can work to ease your foot pain big time.
3.Red light therapy
Red light therapy helps generate good cells, repair dead cells, and increase the movement of blood-oxygen-nutrients to reduce inflammation and ease nerve pain in the foot.
Lifestyle Changes
Picking The Right Footwear:
The pair should have
- Good Arch Support
- Adequate Cushioning
- Snug Fitment
- Comfort
This helps prevent and relieve nerve pain in your feet.
Diet and Supplements
Have foods and supplements rich in nutrients, particularly vitamins as they help fill deficiencies causing nerve pain in feet and heal the issue. Make sure whatever you intake has the following for nourishment.
Alternative Treatments
Acupuncture
Such a therapy inserts thin needles into specific points that relieve pain in feet effectively.
Chiropractic Care
Helps perform adjustments to improve spinal alignment and ease nerve pain in feet.
Surgical Options
In case traditional treatments fail to work and nerve damage is severe, then it’s high time you should seek surgical treatments.
Types of Surgical Interventions
- Nerve Decompression Surgery
- Nerve Repair Surgery
- Nerve Transfer Surgery
- Neurectomy
- Spinal Surgery
Prevention Tips
- Opt for a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients (read: vitamins and minerals). These help boost nerve health.
- Work out in the morning or evening! It helps maintain a healthy weight, improves circulation, and reduces the risk of foot pain.
- Wear a proper and snug pair of shoes so you don’t undergo foot pain.
- Practice good foot hygiene to prevent nerve-related issues.
- Control underlying health conditions like diabetes because it can prevent or slow the progression of nerve damage.
Living with Nerve Pain
Coping Strategies
- Stress Management: Try meditation and relaxation for the pain.
- Pain Management Plans: Create a personalized plan with your doctor for managing foot pain.
Support Groups and Resources
Try to connect with other fellows who have similar conditions. They can provide support and some useful advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What are the first signs of nerve damage in the feet?
Early signs include tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the feet.
2.Can nerve pain in the feet be cured?
It depends on the conditions and causes of nerve pain. You can manage some causes of nerve pain effectively. However, not all cases can be completely cured.
3.What kind of doctor should I see for nerve pain in my feet?
A neurologist or a podiatrist can help diagnose and treat nerve pain in your feet.
4.How long does it take for nerve pain in the feet to heal?
Healing time for nerve pain in your feet can vary based on the cause and severity of peripheral nerve damage. It can take weeks to years to see improvement.
5.Are there home remedies for nerve pain in the feet?
Yes. Home remedies include warm foot baths, stretching exercises, and using pain relief creams. However, consult a doctor before starting any new treatments.
End Your Nerve Pain In Feet With Right Treatments
The causes of nerve pain in your feet are almost endless. The culprits can be —injuries, health conditions, or poor lifestyle.
No matter what, it’s important that you explore the causes and then seek treatment options accordingly.
You can kick start with massages, Red Light Therapies, and a good diet to treat the foot pain.
In case it doesn’t work, then consult a neurologist or a podiatrist. Because they’re going to help you know what treatment you should opt for.