Topical Creams Any Good For Nerve Pain

Today's post from piedmontpmr.com (see link below) asks the question as to whether topical creams (creams applied to the skin at the area of most pain) are any good for neuropathy. It's an attractive prospect. We're so used to popping pills meant for other diseases and trying to live with the side effects, that the idea of a topical cream is tempting. However, as the article points out, it's often a question of 'suck it and see!' One of the proven analgesic creams for neuropathy is capsaicin (either as a cream or a patch) but you really have to watch out for burning side effects and depending on the strength of the cream, you may need expert help with its application. However, it's not the only one and some people even gain benefit by using sports creams meant for joint or muscle relief. Discuss it with your doctor first and then maybe try some out. You never know, you may find something that's just as effective as the strong pain killers you're normally prescribed.

Are Topical Creams Effective For Neuropathy?
Robert D. Schwartz MD 2016

You feel a tingling or slight burning sensation in your hands or feet and you know it’s a symptom of your neuropathy. These areas, especially your feet, tend to be targeted first because the nerves leading down to those extremities are the longest and the easiest to damage. But at the moment, you know its not a sign for major concern, you just want relief from the discomfort or pain as soon as possible.

Supplements are one way to treat these symptoms, but you don’t really know when they’ll start working and if there will be side effects. By taking any oral medication, you are prone to drowsiness, dizziness or simply lethargy. So what could you do to relieve the pain without all the other baggage? Well, there’s topical creams. They can be applied right onto the pained area usually without fuss and are usually better accepted by patients because they are painless.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the products sitting on drug store counters for pain relief. They all claim to have the same end goal, but you’re not sure which one is right for you. Some are for muscle pain, joint back or back pain, but there are also plenty of non-prescription creams that you could use for neuropathy pain. What you should be looking out for are the two predominant components in topical over-the-counter creams/ointments: capsaicin and herbs. Several creams use a combination of these ingredients amongst others for effective pain relief.

Capsaicin

Capsaicin is a substance found in hot peppers, but interestingly, it also works as pain reliever for those with peripheral neuropathy symptoms. The slight burning sensation that is felt when capsaicin creams is applied counteracts the pain signals within your body, thus ceasing pain altogether temporarily. But capsaicin products aren’t for everyone. Some people can’t handle the initial pain sensation when it if first applied, despite proving to be an effective source for painful neuropathy.

Capsaicin products should not be applied on or near damaged, broken or irritated skin. It also needs to be applied several times a day and might take weeks for it to truly take effect.
Herbs

Another common non-prescription alternative is topical herbal products. Herbal products contain anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relief) properties. They essentially trick the brain into thinking your skin has changed temperature with a cooling sensation, relieving inflammation. They also widen blood vessels in the area so that blood flow is increased, allowing nutrients to be delivered more efficiently for quicker healing.

One of the most common herbal ingredients that uses these pain relief tactics is menthol. Menthol comes from peppermint plants — specifically extracted from wild mint or corn mint, and is used in a majority of pain relief ointments.

Herbs with these properties have been in use since ancient times. From North America to South East Asia, those around the world have turned to herbal medicine for effective pain relief. Other herbs that contain such properties include, balm of gilead, Calendula flowers and oil of clove. It’s hard to deny herbal effectiveness when it has stood against the test of time.

So now that you know a few ingredients in over-the-counter topical creams, what are some products that you can look out for?

Biofreeze
Capsin
Double Cap
Icy Hot Arthritis Therapy
Minagin
Rid-a-Pain
Sportsmed
Tiger balm
Trixaicin

You won’t really know which one works best for you until you try it. You can go online and do your research, but everyone’s condition is different, and everyone’s body will react differently to different medication.

If you find that over-the-counter products aren’t quite working for you, then maybe it’s time to turn to a prescription cream or ointment. Most likely, your doctor will prescribe a topical agent with either clonidine or lidocaine. Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure, but those with nerve pain will also find relief in that department. And lidocaine has mainly been used for mouth numbing in a dentist’s chair, but has shown to be effective against neuropathy pain as well.

So if you’re thinking about getting quick relief from topical creams, then it is definitely recommended. Creams can give your fast temporary relief if your pain is mild to moderate. If you’re dealing with a burden that’s a bit bigger, we advise you to talk to your doctor right away for the best route for relief. You might be given a prescription cream, taken daily for a period of time, or recommended toward other avenues altogether. Whatever your symptoms may be, ensure that your are taking care of your body and your health.

http://piedmontpmr.com/topical-creams-effective-neuropathy/

Quell Neurodevice For Nerve Pain Will It Be Any Good

Today's post from diabetesselfmanagement.com (see link below) anounces another electro-stimulant device designed to reduce neuropathic pain. Not quite on the market (later this year), it reflects the growing interest in electro-neurostimulation but it has to be said that so far, results from these sorts of devices have been patchy to say the least. Maybe this one will provide more people with a positive result. It's lightweight and wearable and can be tracked with a smart phone, so these things at least stand in its favour. Time will tell.

CES Dispatches: Pain-Relieving Device for Diabetic Neuropathy
January 6, 2015 by Diane Fennell


(Quell[TM] Wearable Pain Relief Device [Photo: Business Wire])

Quell, a device that can relieve chronic pain in people with conditions such as diabetes, sciatica, and fibromyalgia, was unveiled this week at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), taking place in Las Vegas from January 6–9.

Roughly 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have some form of the often painful condition neuropathy (nerve damage), according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and surveys of people with diabetes reflect rates of chronic pain ranging from 20% to 60%.

Created by NeuroMetrix, Quell is lightweight, wearable device that uses noninvasive neurostimulation technology to reduce chronic pain. The device, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use without a prescription, can be worn both during the day and at night, and users will have the option of using their smartphone to track and personalize their pain treatment.

“Recent studies have shown that chronic nerve pain dramatically reduces the quality of life in people with diabetes,” notes Shai N. Gozani, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of NeuroMetrix. “We believe that Quell may help many of these people reclaim their life from chronic pain.”

Quell is expected to be available for purchase by consumers later this year.

For more information, see the press release from NeuroMetrix.

http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/ces-dispatches-pain-relieving-device-diabetic-neuropathy/

Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy A Rose By Any Other Name

Today's post from health.nytimes.com (see link below) is a useful description of neuropathy as a medical condition. The article is entitled 'Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy' which may confuse many people but it's basically a description of the disease we all know and hate and the information is handy for everybody with any form of neuropathy with standard symptoms. One of the problems for ordinary patients trying to learn about their condition, is the number of terms used to describe it! You can easily be baffled by the terminology alone. 'Sensorimotor' is another word for 'sensory' neuropathy which may be more familiar but if you think in terms of polyneuropathy in its many forms and with its many causes, this article may be of value to you.

Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy
New York Times Saturday, September 28, 2013

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy is a condition that causes a decreased ability to move or feel (sensation) due to nerve damage.

Alternative Names

Polyneuropathy - sensorimotor

Causes

Neuropathy means a disease of, or damage to nerves. When it occurs outside of the brain or spinal cord, it is called a peripheral neuropathy. Mononeuropathy means one nerve is involved. Polyneuropathy means that many nerves in different parts of the body are involved.

Neuropathy can affect nerves that provide feeling (sensory neuropathy) or cause movement (motor neuropathy). It can also affect both, in which case it is called a sensorimotor neuropathy.

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy is a body-wide (systemic) process that damages nerve cells, nerve fibers (axons), and nerve coverings (myelin sheath). Damage to the covering of the nerve cell causes nerve signals to slow down. Damage to the nerve fiber or entire nerve cell can make the nerve stop working.

Nerve damage can be caused by:
Autoimmune (body-wide) disorders
Conditions that put pressure on nerves
Decreased blood flow to the nerve
Diseases that destroy the glue (connective tissue) that holds cells and tissues together
Swelling (inflammation) of the nerves

Some diseases lead to polyneuropathy that is mainly sensory or mainly motor. Possible causes of sensorimotor polyneuropathy include:
Alcoholic neuropathy
Cancer (called a paraneoplastic neuropathy)
Chronic inflammatory neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy
Drug-related neuropathy
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Hereditary neuropathy
Vitamin deficiency (vitamins B12, B1, and E)

Symptoms
Decreased feeling in any area of the body
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty using the arms or hands
Difficulty using the legs or feet
Difficulty walking
Pain, burning, tingling, or abnormal feeling in any area of the body (called neuralgia)
Weakness of the face, arms, or legs, or any area of the body

Symptoms may develop quickly (as in Guillain-Barre syndrome) or slowly over weeks to years. Symptoms usually occur on both sides of the body. Most often, they start at the ends of the toes first.

Exams and Tests

An exam may show:
Decreased feeling (may affect touch, pain, vibration, or position sensation)
Diminished reflexes (ankle most commonly)
Muscle atrophy
Muscle twitches (fasciculations)
Muscle weakness
Paralysis

Tests may include:
Biopsy
Blood tests
Electrical test of the muscles (EMG)
Electrical test of nerve conduction
X-rays or other imaging tests

Treatment

Goals of treatment include:
Finding the cause
Controlling the symptoms
Promoting a patient's self-care and independence

Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
Changing medicines, if they are causing the problem
Controlling blood sugar level
Not drinking alcohol
Taking daily nutritional supplements

PROMOTING SELF-CARE AND INDEPENDENCE
Exercises and retraining to maximize function of the damaged nerves
Job (vocational) therapy
Occupational therapy
Orthopedic treatments
Physical therapy
Wheelchairs, braces, or splints

CONTROL OF SYMPTOMS

Safety is important for people with neuropathy. Lack of muscle control and decreased sensation can increase the risk of falls or other injuries.

If you have movement difficulties, these measures can help keep you safe:
Leave lights on.
Remove obstacles (such as loose rugs that may slip on the floor).
Test water temperature before bathing.
Use railings.
Wear protective shoes (such as those with closed toes and low heels).
Wear shoes that have non-slippery soles.

Other tips include:
Check your feet (or other affected area) daily for bruises, open skin areas, or other injuries, which you may not notice and can become infected.
Check the inside of shoes often for grit or rough spots that may injure your feet.
Visit a foot doctor (podiatrist) to assess and reduce the risk of injury to your feet.
Avoid leaning on your elbows, crossing your knees, or being in other positions that put prolonged pressure on certain body areas.

Medicines used to treat this condition:
Over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers to reduce stabbing pain (neuralgia) Anticonvulsants or antidepressant
Lotions, creams, or medicated patches

Avoid pain medicine whenever possible, or use it only when necessary. Keeping your body in the proper position or keeping bed linens off a tender body part may help control pain.

Support Groups

For additional information and support, see: www.neuropathy.org.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You can fully recover from peripheral neuropathy if your health care provider can find the cause and successfully treat it, and if the damage does not affect the entire nerve cell.

The amount of disability varies. Some people have no disability. Others have partial or complete loss of movement, function, or feeling. Nerve pain may be uncomfortable and may last for a long time.

Occasionally sensorimotor polyneuropathy causes severe, life-threatening symptoms.

Possible Complications
Deformity
Injury to feet (caused by bad shoes or hot water when stepping into the bathtub)
Numbness
Pain
Trouble walking
Weakness

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have loss of movement or feeling in a part of your body. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chance of controlling the symptoms.

References

Katitji B, Koontz D. Disorders of the peripheral nerves. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC. Bradley’s Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA:Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 76.

Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 428.

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/sensorimotor-polyneuropathy/overview.html

DOES HAVING CHILDREN MAKE US ANY HAPPIER

The birth of a first and a second child briefly increases the level of their parents' happiness, but a third does not, according to new research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Western University, Canada.

According to the research, published in the journalDemography, parents' happiness increases in the year before and after the birth of a first child, it then quickly decreases and returns to their 'pre-child' level of happiness.

The pattern for second births is similar, although the increase in happiness before and around the birth is roughly half of that for first births. The increase in parental happiness surrounding the birth of a third child is negligible.

Mikko Myrskylä, professor of demography at LSE and Director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany, said: "Our results show a temporary and transitory gain in parents' happiness around the birth of first and second children.

"The fact that parental happiness increases before these children are born suggests that we are capturing broader issues relating to childbearing such as couples forming partnerships and making plans for the future.

"The arrival of a third child is not associated with an increase in the parents' happiness, but this is not to suggest they are any less loved than their older siblings. Instead, this may reflect that the experience of parenthood is less novel and exciting by the time the third child is born or that a larger family puts extra pressure on the parents' resources. Also, the likelihood of a pregnancy being unplanned may increase with the number of children a woman already has -- and this brings its own stresses."

Compared to men, women gain more in happiness in expectation of, and right after, the birth of a child. Women also have steeper drops in their happiness than men between the year of the birth and the year afterward, possibly because of the larger initial gain. However, in the long run, there are no differences between the happiness levels of men and women before and after children.

Those who have children at an older age or who are more educated have a particularly positive response to a first birth. Older parents, between the ages of 35 -- 49, have the strongest happiness gains around the time of birth and stay at a higher level of happiness after becoming parents.

Those who become parents in their teens have a predominantly declining pattern of happiness that does not increase above the baseline even during the year of birth. Those who become parents between the ages of 23 -34 have increasing happiness before a first birth, however one to two years after the birth, happiness decreases to baseline or below.

Rachel Margolis, assistant professor from Western University's Faculty of Social Science, said: "The fact that among older and better-educated parents, well-being increases with childbearing, but the young and less-educated parents have flat or even downward happiness trajectories, may explain why postponing fertility has become so common."

Is Bentofiamine Any Good For Neuropathy

Today's post from healthyselfprograms.com (see link below) is an assessment of one of the commonest supplements recommended for neuropathy - Benfotiamine. There are hundreds of versions of Bentofiamine on the market but does it work? This site says not but you have to take as you find, do your own research and consult with your doctor. One thing is sure, we need to weed out the fake from the genuine - living with neuropathy is bad enough without wasting good money on supplements that have no chance of working. As far as Bentofiamine is concerned; opinions differ greatly.
 

Benfotiamine Review: A Neuropathy Treatment Formula?
 June 4, 2014 by admin 

Benfotiamine is a dietary supplement that claims to treat Neuropathy which is a nerve disorder. Benfotiamine is a natural product (vitamin B1).

In this review of Benfotiamine we will be investigating its properties, clinical studies and has it any hard evidence it helps suffers of nerve condition such as Sciatica and Neuropathy.

With so many “so called miracle pills about” this one seems to pop up quite often and does seem to get a lot of users, But not many good reviews or feedback.

What is Benfotiamine?

Benfotiamine (Vitamin B1) is found in the Allium family of garlic and onion type plants and is extracted from there bulbs, It is generally used for back pain, but has also been used in many natural nerve treatment formulas.



Why Benfotiamine for Neuropathy?

Benfotiamine is normally used to treat back pain and has been promoted as helping patients with nerve conditions such as Sciatica. It has also been widely used in Europe (Germany) since the late 90′s as an effective treatment for back pain.

Side Effects of Benfotiamine

There are no detrimental side effects but users have reported stomach cramps and pains over a longer period of use.

Does it work against Neuropathy?

Benfotiamine can be beneficial for sufferers of type 2 diabetes by creating thiamine which
Helps to prevent kidney disease

There is “no conclusive evidence” that Benfotiamine can help people who suffer from neuropathy…

Clinical Studies

There are some clinical studies: But most have only been tested on rodents and most have no followup!
Clinical Study 1 – Random placebo Source & results
Clinical Study 2 – High Blood sugar Source & Results
Clinical study 3 – Diabetic Neuropathy Source & Results

Although there is no conclusive evidence that this dietary supplement can help relieve Neuropathy and other nerve disorders, it still deserves a try if you are looking to experiment, as there is no detrimental side effects it may be able to help you!!!

But would also recommended a doctor or health profession opinion before you try this, especially if you are using other prescribed medications.

Recommended products

If you are going to give this a try we would recommend buying just Benfotiamine! Do not buy supplements with other miracle ingredients. You first want to know if it can help you before mixing it with anything else.

http://www.healthyselfprograms.com/benfotiamine-review-neuropathy-treatment-formula/

Kinesio Tape Any Good For Neuropathy

You can't avoid Kinesio tape, wherever you look on sports programmes these days. Today's post from updates.pain-topics.org (see link below) looks at the plusses and minuses of this material as regards muscular and skeletal pain. because so many people with neuropathy suffer abnormal strains on their joints and weakening of their muscles, it may be worth investigating this stuff further. However unlikely it may seem, anything that protects vulnerable areas for neuropathy patients may be worth a try. According to this article however, the jury seems out as to whther it's just fantastic marketing or not. Please contact the blog if you have had any experience with this sort of tape.

Kinesio Tape for Pain? The Science is Sticky.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

 

Anyone who watched even snippets of the recent Olympic Games on TV probably noticed the intriguing, brightly-colored strips of tape adorning shoulders, arms, legs, abs, or other anatomy of many athletes. Apparently, the stretchy cotton bands called Kinesio® Tape are liberally applied when and wherever performance-robbing musculoskeletal pain strikes. But, is this product a clever marketing ploy, a sporty fashion statement, a colorful placebo, or the real deal? And, is this something that non-athletes with pain should look into?

According to news articles and information at the Kinesio website, the tape was designed several decades ago by Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist, to support injured muscles, increase range of motion, and decrease pain. Ostensibly, Kase considered rigid athletic tapes inadequate and believed his patients needed something with “a texture and elasticity very close to living human tissue.”

According to Michael Good, International Director of the Kinesio Holding Corporation, the tape has been used in Olympic competition since 1988, but according to news reports it got a huge boost when the company donated 50,000 rolls of the product to 58 countries for use on athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sales of the product tripled soon afterward.

At the recent London Games, Kinesio Taping was even more conspicuous among athletes in almost every sport. It is apparently waterproof (many swimmers were wearing it) and sweat-resistant; one of the Chinese sand volleyball players was adorned in so much tape that she looked like a living billboard for the product. Having all of those Olympians wearing the tape will probably boost sales even further, Good observes.

According to the company website, Kinesio® Tape is used to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce pain, optimize performance, prevent injury, and promote improved circulation and healing. Another promotional website for the product  goes so far as to claim:
 
“Kinesio Tape is used for anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in between. Examples include: muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patella tracking, pre- and post-surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method.”

However, some clinicians are not impressed with such claims, or the tape. In one of the news articles, Amy Powell, MD — associate professor of sports medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and board member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine — observes that results in actual patients are inconsistent.

Powell states that there is a set of people, primarily with shoulder injuries, who respond well, “but it could also be the idea that any kind of tape would offer them structural support in the shoulder.” She believes the tape might be useful, especially in helping patients to do their physical therapy, but it probably is not the miracle product that Kinesio claims. “I think the company advertises it as more of a cure, but I see it as more of an aid,” she says.

However, some researchers think the company might be making lofty medical claims for what is, essentially, a piece of sticky, stretchy cloth. A team of investigators from New Zealand reported last February 2012 on a first-ever meta-analysis of evidence for the effectiveness of Kinesio Tape [Williams et al. 2012, see ref below].

Their search discovered 97 studies examining the product of which only 10 met inclusion criteria for analysis; ie, the articles reported data for effects of Kinesio Tape on a musculoskeletal outcome and had a control group. Two studies investigated sports-related injuries (shoulder impingement), and just one of these involved injured athletes. Trials involving musculoskeletal outcomes in healthy participants were included on the basis that these outcomes may have implications for the prevention of sports injuries.

The researchers’ analysis found that the efficacy of Kinesio Tape in pain relief “was trivial given there were no clinically important results.” Furthermore, there were inconsistent results for range-of-motion outcomes, with small beneficial effects seen in 2 studies, but insignificant results in 2 other studies. There were some likely beneficial effects relating to grip force, muscle strength, and muscle activity, but it was unclear whether the changes were beneficial or harmful.

The researchers conclude that “there was little quality evidence to support the use of [Kinesio Tape] over other types of elastic taping in the management or prevention of sports injuries.” Although, they concede that, based on all of the anecdotal support for the product, further well-designed experimental research might be warranted.

In one of the news articles, Kinesio’s Michael Good agrees that the science has not caught up with the anecdotal evidence of positive results that athletes have reported with the product. Meanwhile, Dr. Powell says that the lack of hard evidence may not matter in the athletic community, “Anything that [athletes] perceive as an edge, they'll try, whether it's scientific or not. And the athletes are convinced that [Kinesio tape] is really helpful,” she says. “It wouldn't be the worst placebo in the world; it's not doing any harm.”

So, perhaps Kinesio is just “placebo tape” after all. To some it may not matter, but for those who prefer evidence-based medicine the efficacy of this product seems undetermined, and this does not recommend clinical use of the product in patients with pain.

And, there is another sticky issue [excuse the pun]. As with other unproven complementary modalities, successful application of the therapy may depend highly on the individual skills of specially qualified practitioners.

Through a self-started international association, Kinesio promotes its proprietary Kinesio Taping Method and sponsors “Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner” training programs. This is probably quite a profit center for the company, and might be a way of claiming that if the tape does not work as promised the person applying it is probably not adequately trained. However, the company further protects its product claims (and the need for continuing training) by stating at the website, “Even certification is only the beginning of a lifelong process of learning.”

REFERENCE: Williams S, Whatman C, Hume PA, Sheerin K. Kinesio Taping in Treatment and Prevention of Sports Injuries: A Meta-Analysis of the Evidence for its Effectiveness. Sports Med. 2012(Feb);42(2):153-164

http://updates.pain-topics.org/2012/08/kinesio-tape-for-pain-science-is-sticky.html