Mobility Aids that Can Make Neuropathy More Bearable

Do you live with neuropathy pain? Neuropathy pain can impact all areas of your life- including mobility and independence. Neuropathy is primarily caused by complications from diabetes or alcoholism, but there are many other reasons why you may experience nerve pain. There are mobility aids that make neuropathy more bearable, while increasing accessibility and autonomy for sufferers widely.

Do you- or someone that you care about- suffer from Neuropathy pain? Around 20 million people are diagnosed with Neuropathy, a disorder characterized by a loss of sensation in limbs or regions of the body. Many people are diagnosed with neuropathy, but only some of those with this condition experience neuropathic pain as a symptom. Nerve pain such as from neuropathy can be debilitating and the loss of sensation can significantly impact mobility. The pain and loss of sensation may present a fall risk, which is very dangerous for seniors or those living with other medical issues. Can mobility aids help make neuropathy pain and numbness more bearable? The answer is ‘yes’.

Causes of Neuropathy Pain

If you live with neuropathy, you know it can cause severe and frequent pain. But what causes neuropathy, to begin with? Some of the underlying reasons for nerve pain include:

• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disorders and disease
• Infections
• Diet
• Cancer
• Medications

Some of the discomfort that neuropathy sufferers live with are burning sensations, tingling, stabbing, and sharp, shooting pain in different regions of the body, most often, the extremities (arms, hands, legs, and feet).

Pain Relief

What can those suffering from neuropathy pain do about their discomfort? Medical providers often treat pain to prevent imbalance or dizziness with over the counter meds or pharmaceuticals. There are also holistic health approaches, like acupuncture, that aim to target the nerve itself. Some providers endorse using compression to help reduce and alleviate nerve pain; there are braces and supports widely found on the retail market that may help provide the right amount of compression.

Most providers concur that while exercise and physical activity are not likely to eliminate the pain altogether, it does provide some benefit in mobility and severity of symptoms associated with neuropathy. Low impact exercises are suggested, like yoga or swimming, to move and help flex muscles without causing more discomfort or injury.

Helpful Habits

Habits that contribute to chronic pain extend to neuropathic pain too; practitioners suggest any healthy life changes or habits reduce or curb the symptoms of neuropathy, including chronic pain. For example, make positive lifestyle changes including fine-tuning your diet or starting a regular exercise regimen. Join a gym! Do you smoke? Quit smoking to improve overall health, including respiration and circulation, which may impact the frequency and severity of your neuropathy symptoms. For many sufferers that have underlying diabetes or alcoholism, changing habits, improving diet, and abstaining from toxins (like alcohol) can dramatically improve neuropathy and reduce pain.

Neuropathy and Mobility

Mobility aids assist individuals with weakness or instability, or that need some help getting around – due to medical issues like neuropathic pain. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best mobility aids, equipment, or devices to alleviate stress on your body, relieve pain, and preserve autonomy. Chronic pain can compromise independence, which may have a negative impact on the lives of those that wish to age in place, i.e. staying in their own home as long as physically possible. Assistive aids like canes, crutches, and walkers can be just enough support to preserve an independent lifestyle.

Mobility Aids

When you think of mobility aids, think beyond wheelchairs and walkers; while these are valid invaluable examples of aids, there are some even-simpler ways to enhance autonomy and reduce neuropathic discomfort:

• A cane is an excellent source of support when standing or sitting, for those with neuropathy that may sometimes lose sensation in limbs, particularly their feet or legs.
• A grab bar near the sink, toilet, and stove can prevent accidents and falls that may occur when individuals with neuropathy stand for extended periods of time, or when they so to sit down.
• A reacher tool can make items that are just out of reach much easier to access, without the stabbing pains that can accompany straining with neuropathic nerve pain.

Talk to your practitioners about getting medical prescriptions for any of these aids, and then visit mobility retailers in your region to learn more and obtain pricing information. In Southern California, call on the industry experts at Pacific Mobility for more information.

Do you live with debilitating nerve pain? Pacific Mobility wants to help with high-quality mobility aids to make neuropathy- or other medical conditions- more bearable. Increase autonomy and accessibility with aids like lifts, walkers, grab bars, and more. Call for your free, no-risk needs assessment today.