What's the best neuropathy cream for aches & nerve pain?

What is neuropathy?

You must have heard this term before - neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy. It is a syndrome that encapsulates damage to the peripheral nervous system as well as the symptoms associated with it. If you already know about it or have seen someone suffering from it, you will already know it is an unbearably painful condition. 

Not only that, but peripheral neuropathy also affects various major systems of the body like the muscular system often causing incontinence in patients. It can be caused due to a variety of reasons and can even affect any age group regardless of their genetics, lifestyle, food habit, demographics, etc. 

In this article, we have disclosed all the various types of neuropathy, their causes, signs & symptoms, along with preventive methods. Lastly, we have also discussed the best treatments and pain-relieving cream you can use to survive this unbearable condition.

What are the types and causes of neuropathy?

There are four major types, the most common being diabetic neuropathy:

1. Peripheral symmetric neuropathy: Involves nerve damage of the limbs - feet, and hands, resulting in severe pain. This is also commonly known to be a part of diabetic neuropathy. This type of neuropathy can be managed better than autonomic neuropathy since peripheral nerves do regenerate. 
2. Autonomic neuropathy: involves damage to the nerves governing the involuntary functions of the body like digestion, urination, heartbeat, etc.
3. Proximal neuropathy: involves damage to nerves of only one side of the body like the thighs, hips, etc. It may spread to the other side of the body too but such occurrences are rare. This is a rare and disabling type mostly seen in men over 50 years of age.
4. Mononeuropathies: This involves damage to any particular nerve fiber anywhere in the body.

Neuropathy can result from a variety of causes including accidents which are the major cause of nerve damage to any part of the body. Slip discs, broken or dislocated bones often put pressure on the nerve which gets damaged over time.

However, diabetes tops the list and results in not only peripheral neuropathy but also renal neuropathy and many other complications. Diabetes reduces the nerves’ capacity of handling everyday stresses.

Regular drinking and smoking habits can also develop neuropathy over the years by forming cholesterol plaques in the artery that gradually compress surrounding nerves. Rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune diseases can also lead to neuropathy as in these conditions, the body’s own immune system attacks the body cells. Lastly, cancer, chemotherapy, and certain viral infections (mostly chronic) can lead to various forms of neuropathy.

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

The symptoms of neuropathy mainly depend on the type of nerve that is under damage. If motor nerves are affected, it will cause muscle weakness and severe cramps. The pain may start as a tingling sensation or burning under the skin and radiate to other parts of the area quickly. 

Such pain can even start randomly without any triggers, for example even by a light touch of the bedsheet while sleeping. The pain is severe for all patients and types of neuropathy and can only be relieved by analgesics. 

Most of the time, oral drugs are prescribed but long-term usage of such drugs causes extreme side effects. Hence, nowadays topical creams like Advanced neuropathy creams have become much popular among patients. 

When the condition affects your sensory nerves, the damage is even more although you might suffer from less pain. The most common functions that are impaired are the touch sensations and reflex actions (which can be fatal). Most often you will feel a burning sensation, tingling in different parts of the body, pain triggered by light touch sensations, and problems with muscle coordination. You might feel numb even if wearing gloves even if you are not. However, pain is also associated and to a similar extent as in moto nerve damage.

When the condition affects your motor nerves, the most common symptoms involve muscle cramping, twitching, and abnormal reflex activities. The pain associated with motor nerve damage is much more in intensity and feels like a pin-pricked pain. Motor nerve pain causes sleep disturbances and worsens at night. Motor nerve neuropathy can be caused by accidents, invading tumor cells, diabetes, and so on. 

Autonomic functions can also be impaired by the disease which affects nerves regulating involuntary actions of organs. The major functions impaired include sweating, digestion, heat tolerance, and cardiovascular system. This often leads to symptoms such as orthostatic hypotension, altered appetite or lack of appetite, excessive sweating, impotence, and so on.

When auto-immune diseases contribute to neuropathy development, the tingling sensation might be a warning. The pain starts some time afterward and usually, there’s no sign of a cure. The only option for relieving pain if you want to avoid painkillers is to opt for the best Advanced neuropathy cream that has been specifically designed for neuropathic pain.

If your work involves sitting or standing at one position for long hours, it may compress certain nerves of the body and trigger neuropathic symptoms. It is best to keep an eye on the early symptoms and report to a specialist physician as soon as possible.

When to report to a doctor?

If you have diabetes or any auto-immune disease, you must seek medical attention if you notice any of the following:

• Unusual tingling
• Pain causing sleep disturbances at night
• Frequent muscle cramps 
• Weakness or pain in feet
• Pin-pricked feeling below feet
• Impaired digestive activity or bowel movement
• Frequent infections
• Blisters or cracked skin under feet
• Burning sensation in any part of the body
• Numbness in any part of the body

Ideally, any diabetic patient or those suffering from auto-immune disorders should undergo regular nerve function tests since neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes.

Also, if you do not have diabetes yet, perform Hba1c tests every few months to check if glucose levels are under control. This will indicate if you need to keep your weight and diet under control. However, it is always a good idea to take preventive measures whether or not you have diabetic tendencies.

How to diagnose peripheral neuropathy?

There is a range of physical examination procedures commonly adopted today to detect peripheral neuropathy. Apart from that, the doctor will note your previous detailed medical history including disease, drugs used (short and long-term), accidents (if any), diet, and lifestyle among others. 

Neurological examination to note posture, muscle strength, tone, sensations, are also held. The following tests may be required for a detailed study of the condition in different patients:

• Blood tests - Various blood tests and serum analysis to detect vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, abnormal immune function, and other factors that contribute to peripheral neuropathy.
• Imaging tests - CT or MRI scans to identify abnormal disks, tumors, etc. If tumors are seen, autopsy or biopsy may be carried out further for detailed identification and study.
• Nerve function tests - Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies using electrodes are widely used to detect nerve damage. The electrodes impart light electric currents to the nerves close to the skin and the nerve’s function is recorded by a professional and later analyzed.
• Other nerve function tests - Other tests like those to study reflex action, sweat test, and sensory tests to record various sensory functions. The results from multiple nerve function tests are analyzed and the stage of the disease, extent of damage, and treatment are decided.
• Nerve biopsy - It is done by extracting a small portion of a nerve (generally sensory nerve) to identify abnormalities. Nerve biopsy is a very useful procedure in studying the extent of nerve damage and the current functional status of the nerve. Hence, nerve biopsy studies along with other test results are commonly utilized in identifying the stage of neuropathy.
• Skin biopsy - A small portion of skin is taken out to find any reduction in nerve endings. Skin biopsy also serves a similar purpose as nerve biopsy and is used to study the current structural changes in the nerve, extent of damage, whether it can be improved, and the stage of neuropathy. These tests are the most popular in determining the treatment or medication combination of neuropathy.

What are the treatments for neuropathy?

Since neuropathy once started cannot be cured totally, most treatments focus on neuropathy management and relieve symptoms, mainly pain. In most cases where no underlying causes are involved, the neuropathy may improve over time with lifestyle and alternative medicinal practices. 

Even then, pain relievers are mostly prescribed to relieve symptoms. There are different treatment options available today which are highly interdependent and may help in reducing symptoms or improving the condition temporarily or permanently. The different treatment options include medications, therapies, alternative medicine, lifestyle changes, and home remedies.

Medications

Medications are commonly used to eliminate the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy. Other major medications used involve pain relievers and for the management of other symptoms. 

• Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain medications are available for relieving pain caused by neuropathy. Commonly known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these are non-addictive and useful in mild pain. For moderate pain, painkillers are commonly used.
  Opioid medications like tramadol or oxycodone are highly addictive and are used only when other treatments fail.
• Anti-seizure medications. Anti-epileptic medications like pregabalin are used to relieve the sensation. Side effects often follow that include drowsiness and dizziness.
• Topical treatments. Capsaicin cream, containing capsaicin extracted from hot peppers, can cause temporary relief or improvement in peripheral neuropathy. Some individuals may not be able to tolerate it even after sufficient adjustment time because of its burning sensation on the skin.
  Lidocaine patches over the skin are also commonly used overnight to produce numbness in the pain area. Side effects can include drowsiness dizziness. 

Nowadays, topical creams like Advanced neuropathic creams containing natural ingredients have flooded the market and show quite satisfactory results in relieving not only pain but also other major symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. 

Creams are the best medications for relieving pain as they are easy to administer and come with negligible or no major side effects. Along with pain management, many of the creams available in the market today also help in controlling the root cause of neuropathy eg. diabetes.

• Antidepressants. Certain tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline have been found to relieve pain by altering pain receptor functioning temporarily.
  Duloxetine and the extended-release antidepressant venlafaxine also are widely prescribed to relieve pain. However, all antidepressants come with similar side effects as discussed above.

Surgery

This is available in only a few countries and should be carried out by expert surgeons to prevent any kind of damage to the nerve. However, this is a very effective way of reducing pain caused by peripheral neuropathy. The surgery takes around 1 hour and involves widening the area to reduce the tightness of the nerve. 

The ligament is divided so that the pressure or compression on the nerve is lowered and blood flow is enhanced. This not only reduces pain but also shows reversing of nerve damage in some patients. The blood flow brings in enough nourishment and also enough lubrication for the nerve to glide smoothly. 

The surgical anesthesia once wears off, the patient feels little to no pain. However, temporary symptoms in the nerve due to the awakening of the nerve can be there.  It subsides in a few days and is a sign of recovery of the damaged nerve. 

Nonetheless, mild pain medications are available for ingestion or topical application for the time being the temporary sensation persists. Advance neuropathy creams containing natural constituents are widely used post-surgery as an alternative to painkillers that have adverse effects on the body. 

Therapies

Various therapies and procedures are also used along with medications to manage symptoms: 

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS units contain electrodes that impart light electric current to the skin. Research shows it can also reverse nerve damage due to spinal cord injury. The frequency generally lasts up to 30 minutes daily for 30 days.
• Plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin. This procedure is commonly used in patients to suppress immune system function.
  The process involves removing antibodies and other proteins from the blood and returning the blood to your body. 
• Physical therapy. Physical therapy is used in patients with muscle weakness. This involves supports like canes, wheelchairs, etc.
• Surgery. If a particular tumor causes neuropathy, surgery to remove the tumor and to reduce the pressure can help.

Alternative medicine

In addition to medications, some people try complementary treatments for relief and these show promising results. In fact, complementary treatments are a safe alternative for painkillers and opioids that have adverse side effects on the body:

• Acupuncture. Acupuncture when safely performed by a certified practitioner following all standard guidelines has shown to improve neuropathy pain. It involves pricking certain centers with a sharp needle to activate normal nerve functioning and enhance blood flow. It is highly effective in managing pain and reversing nerve damage.
• Alpha-lipoic acid. Although this affects blood sugar level and should be thoroughly discussed with your physician, it has shown promising results too.
• Herbs. Certain herbs like evening primrose oil help relieve pain caused due to diabetic neuropathy but may affect your medications. Using such herbs should be thoroughly discussed with your physician beforehand.
• Amino acids. Amino acid therapies with acetyl-L-carnitine have shown to benefit patients with chemotherapy history and diabetics. 

Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle changes are not only complimentary to support medications but also absolutely necessary:

• Feet care, especially for diabetics - Keep an eye on blisters, cuts, or dry feet. Never walk barefoot and always properly cover your feet with soft, loose cotton socks and padded shoes.
• Exercise. Regular exercise is a must. Light exercises like walking thrice a week, can relieve pain, reduce muscle weakness, and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines like regular yoga and tai chi are also shown to have benefitted patients.
• Quit smoking. Cigarette smoking severely impacts blood quality and increases neuropathy complications.
• Eat healthy meals. A balanced diet and reduction in carbs, a high-sugar diet is necessary to maintain diabetes. Consume fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein regularly.
• Avoid excessive alcohol. It is the worst thing for a neuropathic patient. If possible, cut off on alcohol completely.
• Monitor your blood glucose levels, especially if you have diabetes to slow the worsening of the neuropathic condition.

How to prevent neuropathy?

Preventive measures are best for diseases like neuropathy since no cure has been found yet. Lifestyle changes from early life can be the most effective way of preventing neuropathy, mostly of diabetic origin.

Dietary changes - Diet and exercise are the major preventive factors. 

You can avoid high-sugar diets if you have a diabetic or neuropathic history in your family or you have diabetes. Include more fruits, veggies, lean proteins, high fiber diet on a regular basis. Avoid junk food as far as possible and intake of toxins into the body both of which can be fatal to the nervous system. Also, avoid packaged or processed foods, white bread products, and limit saturated or trans fats. 

Try to consume a balanced diet every day and if not possible, consume vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent or slow down neuropathy. Vitamin deficiency plays a major role in the development of neuropathy. Most importantly, keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels. Vitamin B12 is known to slow the progression of different stages of neuropathy. 

Exercise - Exercise regularly from an early stage of life which is extremely beneficial to keep away different types of neuropathy. Research shows regular light walking is beneficial for better circulation and in turn nourishment of damaged nerve fibers, especially in the feet area. This can reverse neuropathic pain.

Keep body weight under control, measure your BMI regularly, and work out according to your body type. Excessive body weight can often put excessive pressure on the nerves of feet and ankles leading to nerve damage. Hence, it is necessary to maintain a normal body weight which not only prevents such conditions from developing but also reduces and reverses nerve damage to a certain extent.

Also, if you already have a dedicated workout routine, make sure the activities included are tailored for your body, health condition, and requirement. Avoid dangerous activities that may cause accidents or incidences that may gradually lead to nerve damage. 

Alcohol - Alcohol not only adds to weight gain but also invites nerve damage and diabetes. Moreover, alcohol is a well-known cause of tumors and cancer which in turn can cause neuropathy. 

Smoking - Smoking is extremely hazardous to the circulatory system and the toxins that enter the body are even more harmful to nerves. Smoking also causes cancers and tumors which are a leading cause of nerve damage.

Good sleeping pattern - Mild to extreme neuropathic pain is often disturbing to the normal sleep cycle which adds more to the stress throughout the day. Lack of sleep is known to cause damage to nerve fibers in the long run. Hence, make sure you get enough sleep in a day if not at night.

Meditation - Spiritual practices and scientific ones like guided imagery, meditation, biofeedback, and hypnosis have helped patients seeking symptomatic relief in the past. However, even minor mistakes in the practices can have adverse effects mainly on mental health. Hence, it is important to find a reliable and expert professional, best if your doctor can recommend someone

Peripheral neuropathy pain home treatments

Among the most effective home remedies for peripheral neuropathy include leading a natural life as much as possible which means replacing artificial commodities used in daily life with natural alternatives. This is the best way to reduce toxin addition to the body which not only relieves symptoms but may also be effective in reversing the condition to a certain extent. 

• The easiest changes to start with can be to switch to a natural bamboo toothbrush, using herbal tooth powders, neem sticks, switch to coconut oil for cooking, and so on. 
• It is also beneficial to plant herbs and shrubs that cleanses the air naturally or soothes the environment around you. 
• Other remedies could be to perform salt or essential oil spas to remove toxins from the body and calm the nerves. Essential oils like Roman Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Marjoram, etc are highly effective in curing nerve pain. 
• Massages on a regular basis are effective in managing the pain although ensure not to go too harsh or for a long duration as it can worsen the nerve damage.
• Epsom salt spa can help control pain and also relieve the stiffness of muscle.
• Apple cider vinegar is a very good home remedy for neuropathy as it contains tons of anti-inflammatory agents apart from minerals. 2-3 tablespoons can be taken every day with lukewarm water both as a preventive and treatment measure. 

FAQ’s

There are mainly four stages -

• One - pain and numbness mild
• Two - mild to moderate but intense pain
• Three - Constant pain
• Four - Numbness and loss of sensation in certain areas

Yes, a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and home remedies are very much effective in slowing the progression of the disease. Not only can this help to prevent neuropathy from getting worse but also in reversing symptoms to a certain extent.

You cannot reverse the damage done to the nerve cells as nerve cells do not have the power to heal completely. However, peripheral nerves do regenerate. Hence, tactful measures taken to address underlying conditions can help reduce or even reverse certain symptoms of the condition.

There are close to 100 different categories of neuropathy and each has a different timeline of development. Some take years, others develop and worsen much rapidly and take only a few months or days. It all depends on the underlying cause and how well you are maintaining your overall health.

An uncontrolled rise in blood sugar, poor lifestyle, and diet, lack of exercise, alcohol intake, smoking, external injuries, or frequent injuries can cause neuropathy to get worse.

Yes, they are safe when used within recommended dose and frequency as topical creams do not cause withdrawal syndrome, addiction, or any major side effects. The most common side effect you can feel is numbness over an area if you use it for more than the recommended hours. But, overall, topical Advance neuropathy creams are very safe options for neuropathic pain.

If the underlying causes of peripheral neuropathy are not addressed, the nerve damage worsens over time causing permanent death of the affected nerves. The complications are different depending on the site of nerve damage. The common result is a lack of sensation. Other than that, ulcers may form, blood supply may get compromised leading to tissue death or gangrene. 

Best neuropathy cream for aches & nerve pain - DSC Advance Neuropathy Cream

In today’s market, the DSC Advanced Neuropathy Cream For Aches & Nerve Pain is the best, especially for diabetic neuropathy. It is a topical application cream with peppermint in it that can be applied by rubbing onto the pain areas. The cream is ideal for providing instant relief from neuropathic pain mainly in the limbs - feet, ankles, legs. The FDA approval of this drug is still pending but it has shown promising results in many patients across the USA. Since it is composed of all-natural herbs and molecules, it has negligible side effects and is completely safe in most individuals. 

The recommended frequency of use is 3-4 times daily over pain areas but not more than that. The mechanism of action is by activating the TRPA1 channels. The DSC Advanced Neuropathy Cream was developed by a group of scientists to impart quick relief to patients suffering from mild to intense neuropathic pain. Massaging the pain area lightly with the cream enhances blood circulation to the nerve endings and skin that nourishes the nerves. It is not only helpful in reducing pain but also in reversing minor damages to the nerve endings especially during the initial stages of neuropathy. 

The natural constituents contained in the cream are all anti-inflammatory and have a good response in combating aches and pains. It contains extracts of Arnica Montana Flower, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Matricaria Flower Extract among the most important constituents. These essential oils are the best combination to combat tingling sensation, burning, and itching sensations caused by neuropathy. Essential oils have been used for ages to calm nerves and relieve tingling sensations. Hence, this is one of the best options if you are suffering from neuropathic pain especially of diabetic origin. 

This cream is designed for advanced stages of neuropathy when the pain is constant and unbearable. Hence, patients who are on narcotic analgesics, opioids (morphine-like drugs) can consult with their doctor before using this topical cream. It is very much effective in managing the pain of later stages of neuropathy. Essentially, it can also be fruitful in controlling mild to moderate pain in the initial stages.  

Are creams effective for neuropathy pain - bottom line

Yes, creams for neuropathy pain are the best pain management medications you can take. The major medications prescribed are high-intensity pain relievers that either have toxic effects on the kidney causing renal failure or the patient develops addiction and withdrawal syndrome.

In this light, topical creams have relatively fewer and minor side effects which do not include any long-term adverse effects on health. Moreover, they are easy to use and relatively inexpensive that makes them patient-friendly. Many medications used for neuropathy induces withdrawal syndrome and cause addiction, especially pain-relieving opioids, etc. However, topical creams are not known to develop such effects. 

Moreover, topical creams like the DSC Advance Neuropathy Cream are all designed specifically to combat pain in the later stages, and hence, these creams are also very much effective in the initial stages. The DSC Advance Neuropathy cream is also effective in managing and even reversing some of the underlying conditions causing neuropathic pain. These creams have shown promising effects on many patients suffering from such unbearable neuropathic pain.