You probably already know, but your nervous system is involved in everything that your body does- from breathing to controlling the movements of your muscles, to sensing heat and cold.
There are three types of nerves in your body: autonomic, motor, and sensory
Autonomic Nerves
The autonomic nerves control involuntary or partially voluntary activities of your body.
Motor Nerves
The motor nerves control your movements by facilitating communication between your brain, spinal cord, and muscles.
Sensory Nerves
The sensory nerves relay the information from your muscles and skin to your spinal cord and brain, which helps you to feel pain and other sensations.
Since your nerves are necessary for everything you do, nerve damage and pain can significantly affect your quality of life.
Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Damage
If you have nerve damage, there are a variety of symptoms you may experience. The symptoms will depend upon the location and the nerves that are affected.
The damage can occur to the nerves located in your brain and spinal cord, but can also occur in the peripheral nerves which are located throughout the rest of your body.
Symptoms of Autonomic Nerve Damage
- Lightheadedness
- Constipation
- Inability to sense chest pain
- Bladder dysfunction
- Dry eyes/mouth
- Sexual dysfunction
Symptoms of Motor Nerve Damage
- Muscle atrophy
- Twitching
- Paralysis
- Weakness
Symptoms of Sensory Nerve Damage
- Pain
- Numbness
- Sensitivity
- Burning/tingling/prickling
In some cases, individuals with nerve damage could also have symptoms indicating damage in two or more types of nerves. For example, you may have both weaknesses and burning in your legs at the same time.
Causes of Nerve Damage and Pain
There are over 100 types of nerve damage. Depending on the type of damage present, the symptoms and treatment will vary. Researchers have estimated that about 1 in 50 Americans have some sort of peripheral nerve damage.
This type of damage is more common in older individuals. Also, one in every four individuals with diabetes has some sort of nerve damage.
Following are some of the possible causes of nerve damage and pain. Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list.
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer
- Compression/Trauma
- Diabetes
- Drug side effects/toxic substances
- Motor neuron diseases
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Infectious diseases
Treating Nerve Damage
As with anything else, most physicians want to treat nerve damage and pain with prescription pain medications.
Though these painkillers can give you some relief, the best way to treat nerve damage/pain is to restore the nerves and repair the damage.
So, if you’re considering treating your nerve damage naturally, here are some things you should know:
- Homeopathic treatments work by pinpointing the problem and then reversing the effect. The right treatment will work to quickly repair nerve damage.
- Homeopathic treatments are extremely safe and don’t have a toxic burden or worrisome side effects.
- Though it’s best to consult with a professional in the world of homeopathy, you can learn some common home remedies to reverse your nerve injury and damage.
- The biggest plus with homeopathic treatments is that they treat the entire person. This means that it’s not just your nerve damage that is treated, but the cause as well. Everyone is unique, and therefore everyone has different weaknesses. Homeopathic treatments help you to discover what your weakness is and how you can strengthen it.
- Homeopathic treatments naturally boost your immune system. When your immune system is suppressed, you have problems. However, if you can keep it strong, you can stay healthy.
Natural Treatments for Nerve Damage
In addition to relieving the pain of nerve damage, many of the natural treatments can help to prevent more serious problems from occurring and protect your overall health.
In some cases, a natural treatment can trigger your body to produce natural painkillers, which can help you feel good.
Keep Diabetes Under Control
If you have diabetes, you should do whatever you can to keep your blood sugar under control. This is the best possible treatment for diabetic nerve damage/pain.
Walk it Off
You already know that exercise causes your body to release endorphins. It also promotes blood flow to the nerves in your legs and feet. Start out by taking a daily walk and gradually increase your distance and pace.
Pamper Your Feet
If your feet are affected by nerve damage/pain, focus on taking good care of them. Take some time to examine your feet every day, wear shoes that are comfortable, and visit a podiatrist regularly. There is no wound or injury to your feet that is too minor to visit the doctor.
Soak in a Warm Bath
This is probably the easiest- and cheapest- way to treat your nerve damage/pain at home. The warm water will increase blood flow to your legs and can ease stress. Measure the water temperature with your arm before stepping in to avoid burns.
Say No to Alcohol
Heavy alcohol consumption is toxic to your nerves and can actually worsen the nerve damage/pain. There are no specifications for how many drinks are safe, but most experts say four or fewer drinks per week is fine.
Sleep
Nerve damage/pain can be worse at night and disrupt your sleep- which makes it much more difficult to deal with the pain. Break this cycle by practicing good sleep habits.
Use your bed only for sleeping or sex, limit the amount of caffeine you drink in the afternoons, and go to bed and wake up at a consistent time.
Use Capsaicin Cream
This cream is made from chili peppers and can cause a burning sensation when you first apply it. Some people find that they can’t tolerate the burning sensation, especially when they’re already in pain.
However, if you can get past that burning sensation, you’ll see an improvement in your nerve pain over time, as well as a decrease in the burning sensation.
Use Lidocaine
Lidocaine is used to numb an area. You can purchase it over the counter in gels, ointments, or even patches. The relief is temporary but definitely satisfying.
Use Massage Oils
Some studies have proven that using botanical oils (such as geranium oil) can help to reduce pain due to nerve damage. Lavender oil promotes relaxation, which can help to take your mind off of your pain.
However, keep in mind that you never want to use these oils straight- you want to mix 2-3 drops into a carrier oil, such as olive oil.
Use Meditation
Meditation is a great way to improve the quality of life in those who are experiencing pain due to nerve damage.
Ask for a referral from someone you trust for a professional that can teach you some meditation techniques.
