Charcot Foot impacts people in varying ways. Some people with Charcot Foot report having a great deal of pain. Others report very little to no pain in their feet, despite numerous fractures. However, the majority of people diagnosed with Charcot Foot report some type of pain related to neuropathy.
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system. This pain can vary throughout the day, at times feeling severe and at other times disappearing all together. The pain can feel different, with some people reporting a pins and needles type feeling while others report burning and tingling.
Foot pain relief
There are some things you can try to help alleviate foot pain. You should first speak with your doctor about the pain you are experiencing. Some physicians will prescribe medications for neuropathic pain. There are also many over-the-counter or home remedies which can be helpful to treat foot pain. We have tried many different options and have found relief, enough so we feel comfortable sharing with you.
Insta-Relief DM Pain Relieving Cream is one product we have found that works well to ease the pain associated with neuropathy. The cream cools the skin when first applied and relieves the feeling of pins and needles. Applying the cream prior to going to bed can help improve rest as the feeling of the sheets on your feet is dulled a bit.
MagniLife Pain Relieving Cream is one of our favorites. It is a bit more expensive but we have found it to be quite helpful. Not only does it help relieve neuropathy pain and ease foot pain but it is very soothing for the skin. The scent is mild but pleasant and it leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
Aspercreme Lidocaine Foot Pain Creme is a fast acting pain reliever. We particularly like to carry a small bottle of this with us when we plan to be out for the day. If we are walking a lot it can be applied easily and acts quickly to alleviate pain and swelling. It contains four percent lidocaine. The price is affordable and a bottle will last at least a couple of weeks.
Foot Neuropathy Elixir is a pretty impressive product. Rather than being a cream it is in a liquid form and comes in a roll on bottle. You simply roll it gently over the bottom of your foot. It works in about 30 seconds, and dulls the pain considerably. We have found this to be particularly helpful with the sharp stabbing pain which occurs at times. Though it feels like a light oil on application it doesn’t make your foot feel oily once it dries. It also smells good which is an added bonus.
Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Bath Soaking Solution is hands down our favorite. When we don’t have any open wounds or cuts we love to soak our feet in either the eucalyptus or lavender solution. We just add a cup of the salts to warm water and soak our feet for 10 to 15 minutes. While the epsom salts aren’t specifically intended for pain relief we find it relaxing and that it actually does help to ease pain. After soaking, make sure to rinse your feet and then dry them completely.
Meditation has also proven to be helpful for us. It sounds crazy but it really does help relax us which in turn eases the pain. By learning to control our breathing and relax our body we have been able to manage pain with less medication. If you have never meditated before there are a number of good guided meditations available on YouTube. This happens to be one of our favorites.
Foot pain will likely always be a struggle with Charcot Foot. However, some relief can be found if you are willing to try different products and pain management techniques. Always talk openly with your doctor about the pain you are experiencing. If you have found a product or practice that has helped relieve your foot pain, please share in the comments.