Peripheral Neuropathy Foot Massager
Living with neuropathy is not easy. Constant pain, tingling, and numbness often in the feet and hands leave a person unable to perform normal routine tasks. Neuropathy can hamper a person’s quality of life and make daily activities a challenge. It is proven that foot massage can help reduce pain, discomfort, and nerve damage associated with neuropathy.
Neuropathy massage therapy is emerging as a complementary treatment for neuropathy symptoms, offering potential benefits alongside standard medical care.
In this post, we will discuss the role of foot massage in managing neuropathy symptoms and how using a foot massager for neuropathy can be beneficial for relieving nerve pain.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a medical term used for nerve disorders in which the nerves of the body become damaged or impaired. The damage can happen in one nerve or a group of nerves. Neuropathy can affect both the cranial nerves (nerves that connect the brain to other areas of the head and upper body) and peripheral nerves (nerves that originate in the spinal cord and branch out to the rest of the body). Peripheral neuropathy is more common and interrupts communication between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body, causing muscle weakness, tingling, and pain in various areas such as the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend on which nerve or group of nerves is damaged and the type of neuropathy, such as polyneuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex, motor neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, combination neuropathy, autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, or inflammatory neuropathy. It can cause discomfort, muscle weakness, and pain in the affected area. Early signs of nerve damage include tingling or burning in your arms and legs. Toes and feet are typically most affected. Peripheral nerve damage can lead to chronic pain and a loss of sensation in the extremities.
Causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathy is usually caused by pre-existing health problems. The most common is diabetes, leading to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Elevated levels of blood sugar in a person with diabetes may lead to nerve damage and pain in the feet and legs. Other causes of neuropathy may include cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, trauma, toxin exposure, infections, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic conditions, bone marrow disorders, and liver or kidney diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves in conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sometimes neuropathy can happen without any known reason. If this is the case, it is called idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.
Is Foot Massage Good for Pain Relief in Neuropathy?
A foot massage can help improve uncomfortable symptoms of neuropathy. Neuropathy, whether caused by diabetes or something else, can cause a broad range of problems such as poor circulation, extreme pain, fatigue, and muscle stiffness in the legs and feet. For centuries, massage therapy has been used for pain relief, relaxation, and many other purposes. It also proves to help diminish the symptoms of neuropathy and decrease the risk of associated complications.
Deep tissue massage, which utilizes slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction applied across the grain of the muscles with the fingers, thumbs, or elbows, can be particularly beneficial for treating chronic pain, inflammation, and injury associated with neuropathy.
What is a Foot Massager?
A foot massager is an indoor massage device that can mimic the human touch. It massages and relaxes the feet through vibration, rolling, kneading, compression, or heating. Although foot massagers do not heal nerve pain directly, they are specially designed to relax the aching, tired, and burning feet. When you apply a foot massager directly to the tissues of the affected area, it relaxes the nerves and eases the pain.
Best Foot Massagers for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Many different types of foot massagers are available in the market. This can make the selection of a good foot massager very tricky. We are here to assist you in your selection by providing information about two of the best foot massagers on the market.
Some of the excellent features of this foot massager include the following:
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It is equipped with heated massage rollers which send warmth deep into the soles and provide instant comfort.
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This massager offers shiatsu foot massage, which helps improve balance, blood circulation, and stimulation of the feet.
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It has an auto-shutoff feature, so you don't have to worry about turning it off.
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It is easy to clean and wash because its cover is made of washable and durable fabric material.
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This massager provides an all-encompassing heated compression by combining airbag and heating effects.
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It gives powerful vibrations which help to penetrate its pain-relieving benefits deeper into tissues and muscles.
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It has precise-point technology that eases the pain by offering a deep kneading massage.
This is a superior foot massager that offers the following features:
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The Z Smart Foot Massager Plus acts as a stand-alone massager. It provides a calm and relaxing massage to both your feet and calves.
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The Z Smart Foot Massager Plus alleviates pain by providing shiatsu foot massage with heat.
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It's easy to move because of its base wheels.
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It is easy to clean and wash because of its removable cover.
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Its massage rollers move in multiple directions to ensure a full-foot massage.
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It has auto-shutoff technology, so you don't have to worry about turning it off.
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Its quiet technology provides allows you to relax in peace while enjoying a powerful massage.
Why Should You Use a Foot Massager?
You can also use your hands to massage your feet without spending a penny on a foot massager. However, using your hands for a foot massage is not only a troublesome task but also requires expertise. It’s also easy to hire a massage therapist for a foot massage. However, foot massage specialists are unaffordable for most people. Moreover, when you have neuropathy, the relief is only temporary, and the pain will gradually return.
Physical therapy can also be beneficial for neuropathy, and foot massagers can complement it by providing consistent relief and enhancing overall well-being.
That’s why the use of a good foot massager is a more convenient, consistent, and cost-efficient way to get the neuropathy-relieving benefits of a massage. The cost of a foot massager is equivalent to 2 to 3 massage sessions, and it lasts for years. Foot massagers save you money, time, and effort. They can easily be utilized right in the comfort of your home or office.
Benefits of Using a Foot Massager for Neuropathy Massage Therapy
Relieve Pain
Neuropathy causes aching and painful sensations, like pins and needles, in your feet. Living with all this pinching, burning, and pricking is very irritating. A good foot massager massages out all the painful sensations and helps to provide relief.
Increase Blood Flow
Good blood circulation is necessary for optimal well-being. Unfortunately, it is usually one of the things that are associated with neuropathy. In diabetic neuropathy, poor circulation is the main cause of foot pain. A good foot massager can stimulate the muscles, increase circulation, and push oxygen and nutrients where they're most needed.
Reduce Muscle Stiffness
Muscle stiffness is another complication of neuropathy. Lack of circulation and movement make the muscles stiff. Especially in the morning, the pain can be very severe, making it difficult to move the muscles. A little warm-up is usually required to restore muscle movement. Foot massagers help warm up the muscles by increasing blood circulation, thereby reducing muscle stiffness.
Enhance Flexibility
Pain and muscle stiffness in neuropathy can cause a lack of mobility. A good foot massager wakes up tight muscles, stimulates them, loosens them, and enhances their flexibility.
Improve Nerves Sensitivity
Foot massage is helpful for people that are experiencing diminished nerve function due to neuropathy. Neuropathy can cause loss of feeling in some areas of the body, especially in the arms and legs. Massages can revive feeling in the legs by targeting and stimulating specific reflex points at the bottom of the feet.
Improve the Quality of Life
Foot massage can improve the quality of life for those living with neuropathy in many ways. A foot massager not only relaxes your feet but also loosens the nerves, thereby relieving tingling, burning, and numbness. Foot massagers reduce discomfort by relaxing the muscles and decreasing the pressure on the nerves. Additionally, massage leads to the release of endorphins in the body which act as natural painkillers.
Improve Sleep Quality
Neuropathy pain can be debilitating at any time of day. At night, it becomes worse. This can hinder the quality of sleep and therefore negatively affect overall health. A good foot massager helps improve one's quality of sleep by relieving neuropathy pain and increasing blood flow to the feet. Increased oxygen levels and decreased blood pressure make you sleep better at night.
Additional Benefits of Using a Foot Massager for Neuropathy
Reduction of Swelling
Foot massagers can help reduce swelling in the feet, which is a common problem for people with neuropathy. By promoting better circulation and lymphatic drainage, these devices can help alleviate fluid buildup and reduce swelling.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Regular use of a foot massager can also help reduce stress and anxiety levels. The soothing and relaxing effects of a foot massage can help calm the mind and promote a sense of well-being, which is beneficial for those dealing with the stress of managing a chronic condition like neuropathy.
Detoxification
Foot massagers can aid in the detoxification process by promoting better circulation and lymphatic drainage. This helps the body to eliminate toxins more effectively, which can improve overall health and well-being.
Precautions to Consider Before Using a Neuropathy Foot Massager
Massages are great, but it is necessary to take precautionary measures before using foot massagers.
Massagers Should Be Avoided with Physical Injury
It is best to thoroughly examine any physical injury to the foot before using a foot massager. Massaging an injured area can increase pain. This is especially important if the user is a diabetic patient. Consult your doctor with any concerns before trying a foot massager.
Don't Use Massagers on Swollen Areas
Swollen feet are a common symptom of diabetes due to poor blood circulation. Whatever the reason, the foot massager should never be used for swelling. It can only cause more pain and discomfort.
Be Cautious with Heating Massagers
We recommend checking the temperature before using any massager. Make sure it's not too hot to avoid any damage to your feet. For those who have neuropathy in the feet, it is best not to use high-heat massagers. They are more likely to burn their skin without sensing or realizing it.
Don't Apply Excessive Concentrated Pressure
When using a massager on the feet, it is best to apply an equal amount of pressure to every area instead of applying pressure to only one place. Pressure applied to just one area can lead to damage or swelling of the muscles.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long should you use a foot massager? Use our foot massager for 15-30 minutes per session.
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Can I use a foot massager every day? Absolutely! Our foot massagers are designed for daily use, providing you with the flexibility to enjoy the soothing benefits every day for relaxation and relief.
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How often should I use a foot massager? The frequency of using a foot massager depends on individual preferences and needs.
Conclusion
Neuropathy is a painful health condition to suffer through, especially in the feet. Luckily, there are many ways to manage foot pain. One of them is using a foot massager. A foot massager can help manage pain simply and easily. Foot massagers are also cost-effective compared to specialized manual foot massages. They provide the relief you desire without leaving your home. It's important to consult your doctor before starting any massage routine to ensure it's safe and healthy for you.
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