Neuropathy has the typical symptoms of numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet. One way to alleviate these symptoms is to massage your hands and feet.

The article for the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy also indicates that massage therapy is increasingly offered alongside standard treatments for various medical conditions.

Back Pain Chairs Lab instructor Christine Dessert, MSN, APNC, CCIT, E-RYT explained the benefits of hand and foot massage for neuropathy and how to do it at home.

Massage can improve blood circulation

Kealy said that the best way to improve blood circulation is to massage. “The goal is to try to improve circulation in areas with neuropathy,” he said.

Other activities that can stimulate blood circulation in the body include knitting and exercise. In fact, the more muscle movements there are, the better the blood circulation to nourish the nerve endings.

In fact, if you don’t have neuropathy, massage exercise, and knitting are good for blood circulation, which can prevent neuropathy.

How to massage for patients with neuropathy?

Kealy said that massaging the hands and feet several times a day is beneficial for patients with neuropathy. However, as hand massage is quite exhausting, several techniques can be practiced, namely:

Fill a bucket or special container for footbath with water and marbles. Then soak and wiggle your feet to get the ball massage effect. You can also add essential oils to the marinade.

Hand and foot massage with lotion.

Move your feet using a tennis ball on the bottom. As for the hands, you can use the help of a golf ball.

“Get help from a partner, family member or friend to massage your hands and feet. Massage is a positive thing that can benefit the body,” added Kealy.

Benefits of massage for patients with neuropathy

The American Consumer Therapy Association Consumer Survey Facts notes that up to 75% of respondents said their main reason for massage in the past 12 months was due to related medical conditions (43%) and stress (32%) with health conditions.

In addition, 87% of people believe that massage is beneficial for health and fitness. Another finding was that up to 61% of those surveyed said that doctors recommended getting a massage.

The health benefits of massage include:

  • Reduction of depression and anxiety.
  • Strengthens immunity by stimulating lymphatic flow, the body’s natural defense system.
  • Increases flexibility of joints
  • Increases circulation of oxygen and nutrient pumps to vital tissues and organs.
  • Reduce cramps
  • Releasing endorphins, amino acids that act as the body’s natural pain relievers.

Hand and foot massage to relieve symptoms of neuropathy can be done alone or with the help of others. Well, it’s easy, right?