If you live with ongoing discomfort, you may be looking for answers that go beyond traditional painkillers. Many people struggle with neuropathic pain, a type of chronic pain that does not respond well to common medications. Understanding what neuropathic pain is, and how to manage it, is the first step toward relief.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathic pain occurs when the somatosensory nervous system becomes damaged or irritated. Unlike pain from a cut, bruise, or injury, this type of pain comes from within the nerves themselves. It can feel like burning, tingling, stabbing, or numbness.
Common examples include:
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Phantom limb pain
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Diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet
Some forms of neuropathic pain can improve when the underlying cause is treated. However, many cases require long-term management. That is why finding a combination of therapies that actually work is essential.
Why Neuropathic Pain Is Hard to Treat
Neuropathic pain does not respond well to regular painkillers. Instead, doctors may prescribe medications designed specifically for nerve pain. Physiotherapy, massage, and lifestyle adjustments can also help. Often, a blended approach offers the best results.
One highly effective natural option is acupressure, a therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
How Acupressure Works for Neuropathy
For thousands of years, Chinese medicine has understood that an energy called qi (pronounced ‘chee’) runs through the body. When this energy becomes blocked or slowed, it can result in pain and those channels need to be cleared to restore natural energy flow.
An acupressurist will apply hand pressure at specific points on the body to release the qi, restore the natural flow of energy, and thus relieve the pain. It feels similar to a deep tissue massage, creating an over-all feeling of relaxation. By targeting your body’s trigger points, acupressure massage is particularly adept at relieving the tingling, prickling, and burning sensations often associated with neuropathic pain. As a component of body massage, it can also help to alleviate the dull pains and stiffness.
Western medicine has more recently understood that targeted massage of these areas can stimulate effected nerves, influencing how the brain understands pain signals, specifically, neuropathic pain. There are studies suggesting that acupuncture and acupressure could be serving to release pain-relieving molecules in the brain, and still others are finding a link between acupuncture/acupressure and healthy immune function. This would support the ancient Chinese theory that acupressure and acupuncture are working in conjunction with the body’s own natural abilities to heal itself.
Whether you approach it from a scientific or traditional perspective, there is growing evidence that acupressure can have a positive effect on your neuropathic pain. Being both drug-free and non-invasive, it may prove to be a worthwhile addition to your pain management regimen.
If you are looking for a reputable practitioner to help you with your neuropathic pain management, the massage specialists at Easy Cozy Wellness in Nanaimo, British Columbia, are highly trained and skilled in the technique of acupressure.
Call to book your appointment today and start your path to a more pain free life.