Neuropathy

Neuropathy (or peripheral neuropathy) is an umbrella term where nerve endings have been damaged, therefore the messages between hands/feet to brain are not effective.

Symptoms of neuropathy include: numbness, tingling, burning sensations, extreme sensitivity, poor balance, difficulty differentiating between hot and cold.

This can lead to infections due to not feeling cuts in the skin, burns due to not feeling the heat, and falls.

Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, infections, vitamin deficiencies, trapped nerves such as carpal tunnel syndrome, other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.

Reflexology can help with neuropathy because it stimulates the nerve endings in the feet and hands. It also improves circulation of nutrients and oxygen in the blood. The lymphatic system is also improved, helping the body release toxins, particularly relevant in those going through chemotherapy. This helps the body to heal itself.

In over 25 years of nursing I have seen how debilitating neuropathy can be. The sooner you access help, the better the outcome. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, designed to work alongside conventional therapy.