Home remedies can support medications and specialist procedures commonly used to treat nerve pain in the feet, known as peripheral neuropathy. These include therapeutic foot baths, compression socks, foot massage, topical pain relievers, and simple rest.
The remedies may treat the underlying cause of the nerve pain, such as diabetes, but may help soothe the burning, tingling, stabbing, or aching sensations that can disrupt sleep and undermine your quality of life.
1. Foot Baths
Soaking your feet in warm water, either in a specialized foot bath or a bathtub, can help ease the misfiring of nerves that lead to neuropathic pain. Foot baths infused with Epsom salts or essential oils like peppermint or chamomile have been shown to decrease pain in people with neuropathy.
A 2020 study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine reported that a mineral salt water foot bath of around 100° F (40° C) for 15 minutes significantly reduced pain caused by diabetic neuropathy compared to people who soaked in plain water.
2. Ice Packs
Ice packs or cold compresses can help treat acute episodes of neuropathy caused by chemotherapy by up to 30%.Doing so helps ease inflammation that can overstimulate nerves. Instead of direct ice application, you can try soaking your feet in a basin of cold water.
It’s important to avoid icing the foot for more than 10 to 15 minutes as doing so can have an opposite effect, provoking hypothermia and making the nerve pain worse.
3. Foot Massage
Foot massage can ease nerve pain in the feet by stimulating blood circulation. With conditions like diabetic neuropathy, blood vessel damage can reduce oxygen supplies that help keep nerves functioning normally. Increasing circulation with massage can help overcome this effect.
Studies have shown that thrice-weekly Thai foot massage not only reduced pain scores in people with nerve pain caused by Hodgkin lymphoma but also improved balance and the range of motion of the foot after two weeks.
4. Compression Socks
Compression socks are specialized socks that feature seamless construction, moisture-wicking material, nonbinding elastic, and soft materials. Studies have shown that they can help reduce the nerve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy or a traumatic foot injury.7
Edema (the overload of fluid in tissues) is common with both of these conditions. The swelling caused by edema can aggravate nerves, promoting nerve pain. By gently compressing tissues, the socks can reduce swelling and make the pain more manageable.7
5. Topical Pain Relievers
Topical pain relievers are over-the-counter (OTC) creams, ointments, or patches that you apply directly to the skin. OTC options for peripheral neuropathy include:7
- Lidocaine ointment, a topical anesthetic found in brands like Lidoderm
- Capsaicin creams or patches derived from chilis, such as brands like Capsazin
- Method or camphor ointments, such as brands like Bengay
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ointments, such as brands like Aspercreme
6. Routine Exercise
Routine exercises can improve muscle strength and reduce pain in people with peripheral neuropathy. This includes gentle stretching for five to 10 minutes, accompanied by strength and balance exercises to improve mobility of the feet, thighs, knees, and hips.8
For peripheral neuropathy of the feet, experts recommend:8
- Plantar fascia stretch
- Hamstring stretch
- Hip flexion and extensions
- Calf raises
- Seated dorsiflexion
7. Improving Sleep
Rest can help with peripheral nerve pain by keeping you off your feet, but it is also important to get enough rest at night to ensure long-term control.
Peripheral neuropathy and sleep problems have a cause-and-effect relationship. On the one hand, the nerve pain can keep you up at night. On the other, the loss of sleep can make pain worse by increasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol which increases inflammation throughout the body.9
A commitment to a nightly routine is key to improving your sleep hygiene. This includes going to bed at the same time every night, avoiding caffeine or electronics before bedtime, and keeping a cool and dark sleep environment.10
8. Nutritional Supplements
Some people with peripheral neuropathy may benefit from taking supplements. Some of the options proven useful include:
- Fish oil: These supplements, sold in gelcap form, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.11
- Vitamin B12: Studies suggest that vitamin B12 deficiency contributes to neuropathic pain and that supplementation with vitamin B12 might reduce this.12
- Alpha-lipoic acid: Some studies suggest that this antioxidant improves the conduction of nerve signals and prevents the misfiring of nerves that lead to neuropathic pain.13
9. Quitting Cigarettes
Whatever the cause of your peripheral neuropathy, smoking will make it worse. Cigarette smoke does so by causing the constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels and increasing inflammation throughout the body. Smoking also makes it harder for nerve cells to regenerate.14
Some studies have shown that smoking independently increases the risk of peripheral neuropathy by nearly 150%.15 In contrast, quitting cigarettes may reduce exposure to these harmful effects and alleviate symptoms no matter how long or how much you have smoked.15
10. Avoiding Alcohol
A major cause of peripheral neuropathy is alcohol abuse, known as alcoholic neuropathy. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with alcoholic neuropathy or have some other cause, alcohol won’t make it better. This is because alcohol damages the insulating membrane covering nerves, called the myelin sheath, causing the cells to misfire more frequently or severely.16
If you have alcoholic neuropathy or any other persistent or severe nerve pain, the best solution is to stop drinking. If you can’t, speak to your healthcare provider about alcohol treatment programs.
11. Managing Stress
As with all types of chronic pain, stress management is key to coping. The aim of treatment is to adjust your emotional response to stress. Doing so helps reduce your perception of pain as opposed to reacting with distress and anxiety which can make the pain worse.17
In addition to improved sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise, mind-body therapies like yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation can help.
12. Alternative Therapies
Rather than treat peripheral neuropathy with drugs, people will regularly turn to natural approaches to better cope with their symptoms. This includes complementary and alternative therapies that some studies suggest may have benefits in easing chronic nerve pain.
These include:
- Acupuncture: A 2017 review of 15 studies reported that this ancient Chinese practice proved beneficial to the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.18
- Reiki: This alternative therapy, which uses “energy force” to reduce stress and anxiety, was reported to ease chemotherapy-induced nerve pain in people with cancer.19
- Ginger: Some studies suggest that ginger supplements exert mild anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce neuropathic pain.20
- Turmeric: Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which has been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with neuropathy.21
Summary
Home remedies used to support the treatment of peripheral neuropathy include warm foot baths, ice application, compression socks, foot massage, topical pain relievers, and routine exercise. You may also need to quit cigarettes and alcohol and better manage your sleep and stress levels. Certain supplements like vitamin B12 or alternative therapies like acupuncture may also help.
