Over the years, The SoakingPot has had hundreds of guests with some form of neuropathy, so I wanted a better understanding of the causes and symptoms so we could recommend the best options to provide some relief.
Here’s a quick overview of what neuropathy is and how to alleviate some of the symptoms.
“Like static on a telephone line, peripheral neuropathy distorts and sometimes interrupts messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body.”
We’ve had several guests that have some form of neuropathy, who have told us the foot soak and/or massage gave them some relief.
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is the general disease or malfunction of nerves in the nervous system. An estimated 20 million people in the US suffer from some form of neuropathy. Although there are many types of neuropathy, the most common type affects peripheral nerves. These nerves are found throughout the body and help you feel things. Peripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that your feet are cold or they tell your muscles to move. Like static on a telephone line, peripheral neuropathy distorts and sometimes interrupts messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body¹. Symptoms can manifest as numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, pain, and inability to determine joint position.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy may be inherited, acquired through disease or physical trauma. Some common causes are diabetes, physical injury, viral/bacteria infections -such as shingles, toxins -such as chemotherapy, alcoholism, industrial/environmental, and inherited genetic mutations. In many cases, a specific cause cannot be identified.
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy
Working with a physician to correct the underlying condition is the first step to treating peripheral neuropathy, which can often result in the neuropathy resolving on its own as the nerves recover or regenerate. As long as the nerve cell itself has not died, peripheral nerves have the ability to regenerate axons, which may lead to functional recovery over time.
Managing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
Self-care can help alleviate some of the symptoms and create conditions that encourage nerve regeneration. Self-care includes managing stress and anxiety (which makes diabetic neuropathy worse), reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system; all of which can be helped through a healthy diet, exercise and gentle detox. For people with diabetes and those with an impaired ability to feel pain, self-care also includes meticulous foot care and careful wound treatment to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Such lifestyle changes often create conditions that encourage nerve regeneration.
One of the many natural ways to manage symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is soaking your feet in warm water with mineral salts, sea salts, herbs, and essential oils. Foot soaks can:
Increase circulation
Reduce inflammation
Relieve aches and pain
Gently detox
Replenish essential minerals -such as magnesium which is important for a healthy nervous system.
Massage is also beneficial for increasing circulation and relieving aches and pain.
The SoakingPot offers 12 different foot soaks with different therapeutic compositions. Each Soak uses different salts, herbs and essential oils with calming, soothing, invigorating, or balancing properties.
Lavender is used in some of our Soaks for its calming property, which can help relieve pain and inflammation by relaxing the muscles. Our peppermint Soak helps increase circulation, while our Soaks with calendula and plantain will help soothe and heal.
In addition, the salts used in our Soaks produce similar results. Epsom salt reduces inflammation and increases muscle and nerve function through the naturally occurring compound of magnesium sulfate. Our Dead Sea salt has a high mineral content that improves blood and lymphatic circulation, while the mineral composition of our Himalayan salt makes it superior to sea salt in easing muscle aches and pain while promoting relaxation. Our Black Sea Soak uses a Dead Sea salt that has activated coconut charcoal mixed in for added detox benefits.
The SoakingPot is a great place to relax and de-stress with a 30-minute Express Soak or a Standard 1-hour Soak. We also offer 20-minute add-on massage or a 40-minute combo. Give us a call or stop in and ask one of our knowledgeable and friendly Guest Service Specialist which soak would be best for you.
Soak. Sip. Relax.
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