Guide To 9 Physical Therapy Exercises For Neuropathy In Feet

Neuropathy is a very common condition affecting 3 million people a year. Neuropathy can be caused by a variety of factors, which we will be discussing in this article. These 9 physical therapy exercises for neuropathy in feet will help to improve your symptoms and activities of daily life long term.

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is defined as damage to the nerves which causes impairments in nerve function. Neuropathy is also known as peripheral neuropathy and occurs when the nerves in the peripheral system (outside of the brain and spinal cord) stop working correctly.

In this article we are focusing on feet neuropathy which is nerve damage or dysfunction to the nerves supplying the lower legs and feet.

Autonomic Neuropathy

There are different types of neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy is a form of neuropathy in which the nerves that are damaged are responsible for the automatic body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature control, digestion and urinary control.

Neuropathy Symptoms

Neuropathy can be very debilitating due to the wide range of symptoms associaited with it. The most common signs of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Numbness or decrease sensation
• Tingling Senation
• Neuropathy Pain
  • Neuropathy pain can be characterized as burning
• Hypersensitivity
  • Most common in the feet
  • Often times this hypersensitivity is so severe that patients can’t have even a sheet on their feet.
• Balance Problems
  • Due to the decrease in sensation in the feet, especially the bottom of the feet, people may not be able to feel the ground beneath their feet.
  • This can cause proprioception issues and difficulty with balance.
• Walking Impairments
• Muscle Cramps

Causes

Neuropathy can be caused by a wide variety of of factors. These include:

• Diabetes
  • The primary risk of severe diabetic neuropathy is poor blood sugar regulation which can cause poor nerve health and eventually nerve damage.
• Chemotherapy
• Alcoholism
• Medications
• Nerve injuries
• Autoimmune disorders

Exercises For Neuropathy In Feet

Physical therapy is a common treatment option for patients with neuropathic pain. Physical therapy is especially important in patients with foot neuropathy. A physical therapist will be able to guide you through these low-impact exercises.

These feet exercises include range of motion exercises, strength training exercises and gentle stretching exercises to decrease muscle tension. This exercise program includes 1. Calf Raises 2. Calf Stretches 3. Ankle Rolls 4. Toe Walk 5. Small Ball Roll 6. Knee Flexion Machine 7. Balance Exercises 8. Aerobic Exercises 9. Towel Toe Curls.

1. Calf Raises

• This is a great exercise for the calf muscles.
• Neuropathy can cause muscle weakness, especially in the lower extremities.
• Start by standing next to either a wall or sturdy object for balance.
• Now push onto your toes, pause at the top and then slowly lower yourself back down to the floor.

2. Calf Stretches

• Neuropathy can cause muscle stiffness in the joints.
• Stretching these muscles can help to alleviate nerve pain and muscle tightness.
• Start by standing facing a wall with the leg that you want to stretch behind you.
• Now bend your front leg, lean forward into the wall while keeping your back leg straight and pushing your back heel down into the ground.
• For example if you want to stretch your right calf, you will start with your left foot in front of you and your right foot behind you.
  • You will then bend your left knee and keep your right knee straight while pushing your right heel down into the floor behind you.
• The more you lean forward and push your back heel down the stronger of a stretch you will feel.

3. Ankle Rolls

• This is a great exercise to improve blood flow and blood circulation.
• Lie on a flat surface with a small rolled up towel underneath your ankles and slowly roll your ankles 10x in the clockwise direction adn then 10 times in the counterclockwise direction.
• For this exercise all of the motion should be coming from the ankle joint.
• If you notice that your knee is moving side to side then that means you are compensating with your hip.

4. Toe Walk

• This is a great exercise for the lower legs, balance and proprioception.
• Start in a heel raise position by standing on your toes.
• Stay on your toes and start walking in a straight line.
• If you are unable to remain on your toes due to poor balance you can hold onto a wall or kitchen sink as you walk.

5. Small Ball Roll

• For this exercise you will start by sittingg.
• Place a small ball such as a tennis ball or lacrosse ball ball underneath your foot and slowly start rolling your foot on it.
• Depending on your foot sensation, you may need to watch your foot and ball to make sure that the ball does not keep slipping out from underneath your foot.
• This exercise assists in stimulating the receptors of the bottom of the foot.

6.Knee Flexion

• Start by standing and holding onto a sturdy object.
• Now slowly bend your knee so that your foot moves towards your butt and then slowly lower down to the starting position.

7. Single Leg Stance

• Balance exercises such as single leg raise or tandem stance can help to improve muscle strength of the small muscles of the foot, proprioception and overall balance.
• To perform balance exercises start by standing in a corner or by sturdy object such as a counter.
• Now lift up one leg and balance on the other leg.
• If you need to you can intermittently hold onto the wall or sturdy object to steady yourself.

8. Aerobic Exercises

• Aerobic activities can help to improve blood circulation in the body, decrease blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.
• Aerobic exercises are successful in increasing the heart rate and providing a good cardiovascular workout even when a patient does not have good balance.
• For example, even if a patient does not have good enough balance to walk on a treadmill or outside, they may be able to ride a stationary bike.

9. Towel Toe Curls

• For this exercise you can start in a seated position with a towel underneath your foot.
• Now scrunch your toes up and try to pick the towel up with your toes.
• It is okay if it is too difficult to actually pick up the towel with your toes, but the important part is that you are using the foot muscles in an attempt to pick it up.

Tips For Managing Neuropathy

Find an exercise regimen that works for you. One of the best ways to manage your neuropathy symptoms is through exercise, so find the right type of exercise for you. This can include a combination of muscle strength, balance and aerobic exercises. Even tai chi can be an effective exercise.

Lifestyle changes can also be very effective in managing neuropathy. If your neuropathy is due to diabetes, it is important to make sure that you are controlling your diabetes. In general, with neuropathy, it is important to perform frequent foot checks, especially since you may not have full sensation in the feet.

It is also beneficial to eat a healthy diet with limited process foods, mantain a healthy weight, participate in regular exercise, stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Summary

These 9 specific exercises are right for you if you are looking to improve neuropathy in your feet. These exercises are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and can be performed in the comfort of your own home.