Overview of the Blog Post
This blog post is an in-depth exploration of neuralgia and neuropathy, two debilitating conditions that involve nerve dysfunction. It clarifies the distinctions between these conditions, their causes, symptoms, and how they impact the body. Neuralgia is characterized by sharp, shooting pain often triggered by mild touch or pressure, while neuropathy involves nerve damage leading to ongoing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
The post highlights the potential of Systematic Kinesiology (SK) to address these issues through targeted treatments, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. It emphasizes the use of natural remedies, such as turmeric, magnesium, and B vitamins, alongside SK techniques to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and support nerve regeneration.
Additionally, it discusses the importance of stress management, dietary changes, and gentle exercise for improving nerve health. Readers are encouraged to consider holistic approaches to managing nerve pain and seek help from qualified SK practitioners.
This resource is ideal for anyone suffering from chronic nerve pain and seeking natural, effective solutions to enhance their well-being.
7 minutes read time
Many clients have come to the clinic or attended our courses suffering with chronic nerve pain, often feeling hopeless that anything can be done to help. It is amongst the most debilitating conditions a person can experience, with the two common culprits being neuralgia and or neuropathy. Both of these conditions involve nerve dysfunction, but their causes, symptoms, and how they affect the body are different. We will have a look at the distinctions between neuralgia and neuropathy and find out how Systematic Kinesiology treatments, supplements and stress release can help these painful conditions.
What is Neuralgia?
Neuralgia refers to sharp, shooting nerve pain that typically follows the path of a nerve. This pain is often described as sudden, intense, and burning. It can be triggered by even mild touch, pressure, or certain movements. Neuralgia is most commonly associated with specific types of nerves and the most common are:-
- The Trigeminal nerve in the face (trigeminal neuralgia)
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) resulting in pain from the disruption to nerve fibres during and after a shingles infection
Causes of Neuralgia
- Infections:- shingles/herpes zoster
- Pressure on nerves
- Tumors or blood vessels compressing nerves.
- Diseases:- Multiple sclerosis (due to the breakdown of the myelin sheath) or diabetes (due to lack of circulation)
- Trauma – Injury to a specific nerve or nerve root
Symptoms of Neuralgia
- Sudden sharp, stabbing pain
- Pain triggered by touch or mild pressure
- Pain confined to specific regions like the face, chest, or limbs
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage that affects the peripheral nervous system (the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). Unlike neuralgia, which involves acute sharp pain, neuropathy is characterised by ongoing, dull pain and or numbness, tingling, aching or weakness in the affected area.
Neuropathy can affect various nerves, including motor, sensory, and autonomic nerves. This means it can lead to a range of symptoms, such as numbness, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and sexual dysfunction.
Causes of Neuropathy
- Diabetes:- High blood sugar and impaired circulation is the leading cause of nerve damage
- Alcoholism:- Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to nutritional deficiencies and nerve damage
- Chemotherapy:- Some cancer treatments cause neuropathy
- Infections:- Like HIV/AIDS or Lyme disease
- Autoimmune Conditions:- Such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms of Neuropathy
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Continual dull pain/ache
- Weakness in muscles
- Sensitivity to touch or temperature changes
- Difficulty with balance or coordination
How can Systematic Kinesiology Help with Neuralgia and Neuropathy
Listed below are some of the nutrients that could help support the area of inflammation and the nerve pathways.
Turmeric (Curcumin)
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation around nerves can be a major source of pain, and curcumin can help to reduce this inflammation.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
ALA is an antioxidant that has been consistently beneficial in treating both neuralgia and neuropathy. It helps protect nerves from oxidative stress and can improve nerve function.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid, helps regenerate nerve cells and reduce pain associated with neuropathy and neuralgia.
Magnesium
I have found Magnesium Glycinate to be the best for nerve function and can help reduce nerve pain and muscle spasms.
Calcium and Magnesium
This combination is particularly helpful with trigeminal neuralgia.
Ginger
Ginger has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce nerve pain and inflammation. Ginger can be found in supplements altho it can be helpful to drink ginger tea and add fresh ginger to meals.
Omega 3,6&9
Flax seed oil is the best oil for nerves and nerve repair and can even help support the myelin sheath to regenerate.
B Vitamins
A good B complex although particularly B1, B6, B12 are essential for nerve health. Deficiencies in these vitamins can contribute to neuropathy. Vitamin B12, is well known for its ability to support nerve regeneration.
Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint and lavender have been shown to help manage nerve pain through their anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. We can apply diluted essential oils to affected areas and/or use a diffuser for aromatic relief.
Lifestyle Changes and treatment for Nerve Pain
Lifestyle changes are usually crucial in managing neuralgia and neuropathy. We can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results.
Injuries
When we hurt ourselves we recoil into a foetal position, our spine contracts as we lean over to clutch the area of pain or protect ourselves from further harm. By doing this we ‘lock’ the tension/trauma/constriction into our bodies and as a result become less flexible and able to heal. Within SK we can recall the initial injury that caused the nerve pain/discomfort/damage, clear it, so allowing the body to repair and heal the area.
Balancing muscles
Testing and rebalancing muscles around the area of the pain/discomfort can be hugely helpful with reducing inflammation and stimulating nerve repair.
Exercise Regularly
Gentle movement we ENJOY is key, like walking, rebounding, swimming or yoga can help improve circulation and nerve health.
Dietary Adjustments
An SK practitioner would test for food sensitivities to stay off the main inflammatory foods. Also focusing on a diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods (beneficial for the persons blood group) supports nerve regeneration.
Manage Blood Sugar Levels
If diabetic, keeping blood sugar levels stable can prevent further nerve damage. SK treatments can detect and balance blood sugars and also find what supplement helps maintain consistent levels.
Stress Reduction
Chronic stress can exacerbate nerve pain. Also who or what is making you nervous? Who or what is getting on your nerves? Interesting to understand that emotions can play a big part in nerve pain. SK offers many emotional stress release techniques to change old patterns so we can move forward in a new way emotionally refreshed and recharged. SK can also lower, support and help adapt the bodies reaction to stress.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
The jaw holds a lot of tension and trauma within itself however this has a knock on effect to the whole body. Interestingly the TMJ is related to both our structural and nervous systems. Within SK, for any nerve and or structural imbalance we look at this area and make the necessary corrections that have enormous balancing benefits throughout the body.
Symptoms can be Reduced and Combatted
While neuralgia and neuropathy are conditions that can affect quality of life with persistent pain and discomfort, help is at hand. Using SK techniques, natural foods, lifestyle change and supplements can play significant roles in reducing and even combating symptoms. Addressing the above suggestions can promote healing and help balance nerve function.
As always, consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
With the right combination of natural treatments, we can take steps towards improving nerve pain/discomfort and even damage helping uplift your overall well-being.
To find your nearest Kinesiologist practitioner please go to
www.taskuknetwork.org