Neuropathy is a condition that causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet. It is often caused by diabetes, but other medical conditions can also lead to neuropathy. Using a foot massager can help relieve neuropathic symptoms in the feet and toes. But with so many massagers on the market, how do you know which one is best for neuropathy? We’ve compared features, functionality, effectiveness, and price to determine the top foot massagers for reducing neuropathic pain and discomfort.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is nerve damage that typically affects the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nerves run from the spinal cord and brain to the rest of the body. When these nerves become damaged or diseased, it disrupts their ability to transmit signals between the central nervous system and the extremities. This can result in tingling, numbness, pain, weakness, and sensitivity in the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
Neuropathy has a variety of potential causes including:
– Diabetes – High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage peripheral nerves over time. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common forms.
– Injuries – Trauma from automobile accidents, falls, sports injuries, or medical procedures can disrupt peripheral nerves.
– Autoimmune diseases – Disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause inflammation that damages peripheral nerves.
– Infections – Bacterial and viral infections, including HIV/AIDS, shingles, and hepatitis B and C can infect nerves and cause neuropathy.
– Kidney disease – Toxins that build up in the blood due to kidney dysfunction can damage peripheral nerves.
– Alcoholism – Long-term excessive alcohol intake is associated with peripheral neuropathy.
– Vitamin deficiencies – Not getting enough B vitamins (B1, B6, B12, niacin, riboflavin) may cause neuropathy.
– Chemotherapy – Certain chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer can damage peripheral nerves.
– Medications – Drugs like phenytoin, hydralazine, and metronidazole have peripheral neuropathy as a side effect.
– Genetics/heredity – Some neuropathies are inherited or passed down through family genetics.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
People with neuropathy commonly experience the following symptoms primarily in their hands and feet:
– Numbness – Loss of normal sensation. Feeling like you’re wearing gloves and socks even when you’re not.
– Tingling – Prickling, burning, stabbing, or electric shock sensations.
– Pain – Sharp, throbbing, freezing, and searing nerve pain.
– Sensitivity – Hypersensitivity to touch. Even a light touch causes pain or discomfort.
– Weakness – Loss of strength in the hands and feet. Difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning clothes.
– Loss of reflexes and coordination – Decreased reflex responses and balance/coordination issues.
– Muscle wasting – Loss of muscle mass from lack of use due to weakness or pain.
Neuropathic symptoms typically start in the toes and fingers and gradually spread up the legs and arms in a “stocking and glove” pattern. Symptoms are often worse at night. Some people also experience autonomic neuropathy that affects internal organ function like heart rate, digestion, and bladder control.
Using a Foot Massager for Neuropathy
Massaging the feet has long provided relief for sore, tired feet. But for neuropathy sufferers, foot massage is about more than relaxation. The massage technique helps reduce neuropathic pain, stimulate nerves, and improve circulation. There are even specialized foot massagers designed specifically to target the symptoms of neuropathy.
Benefits of using a foot massager for neuropathy include:
– Alleviates foot pain and discomfort
– Reduces tingling, burning and numbness in the feet
– Improves circulation to the lower extremities
– Soothes sore arches and plantar fasciitis
– Stimulates nerves in the feet and toes
– Helps prevent muscle wasting in the feet/ankles
– Relaxes muscles and reduces tension
– Enhances overall foot health
The kneading, rolling, and compression provided by a foot massager mimics the effects of a manual foot massage. This activates circulation while also stimulating nerves that have been damaged by neuropathy. The increased blood flow nourishes peripheral nerves and helps reduce inflammation.
Regular use of a neuropathy foot massager may help slow the progression of nerve damage and degeneration over time. It’s ideal to use a massager at least a few times per week for optimal benefits. Even short 5-10 minute foot massages can provide neuropathy relief when performed regularly.
Types of Foot Massagers
There are a variety of electric foot massagers on the market today, but these are some of the most common types:
– **Shiatsu Foot Massagers** – Uses rotating balls and pressure nodes to mimic the kneading and rubbing of shiatsu massage therapy. Provides a deep, penetrating foot massage.
– **Compression Air Massagers** – Squeezes and compresses the feet through inflatable air bags/chambers. Enhances circulation through pressure.
– **Vibration Massagers** – Feet rest on a vibrating plate that oscillates to provide a stimulating massage. Helps relax muscles.
– **Rolling/Arch Massagers** – Motorized rollers roll over the feet and arches mimicking the motion of a rolling pin. Good for flattening arches.
– **Heated Massagers** – Heat relaxes muscles while the massage stimulates circulation. Warmth also soothes neuropathy pain.
– **Water Foot Spas** – Feet soak in vibrating water often with massage nodes, bubbles, heat, and vibration features. Relaxing and therapeutic.
– **Manual Massagers** – Less expensive, handheld massagers that require you to manually roll over the feet. Don’t offer heat, compression or automation.
The type of massager you choose will depend on your specific needs and budget. Automatic massagers with Shiatsu kneading, compression, vibration and heating tend to provide the most therapeutic results.
Benefits of Foot Massagers for Neuropathy Symptom Relief
Using a high quality foot massager designed for neuropathy can provide multiple benefits including:
– **Reduced Pain & Discomfort** – The massage action increases circulation to numb, painful feet bringing nerve-soothing oxygen and blood flow. Compression squeezes out inflammation.
– **Decreased Tingling/Numbness** – Thedeep kneading motion stimulates the nerves in the feet, helping improve nerve function and reducing tingling.
– **Lessened Muscle Cramps & Spasms** – Massage and vibration relax the muscles and ease cramps, spasticity, and muscle tightness common with neuropathy.
– **Improved Sleep** – Foot massage before bedtime calms the nerves, reduces restless legs, and prepares you for a good night’s sleep.
– **Increased Flexibility & Mobility** – Stretching foot muscles and reducing stiffness lets you move your feet/ankles easier with less pain.
– **Enhanced Circulation** – Massage boosts blood flow to the lower legs and feet, delivering oxygen and nutrients to damaged nerves.
– **Prevent Muscle Atrophy** – Improved circulation and nerve stimulation prevents wasting away of foot muscles from disuse.
– **Eased Anxiety & Stress** – Kneading away tension relaxes the body, easing anxiety that can exacerbate neuropathy symptoms.
Regular foot massages stimulate nerves, relax muscles, soothe inflammation, and improve circulation to provide the above relief benefits.
Features to Look for in Neuropathy Foot Massagers
These features can maximize the therapeutic benefits for relieving neuropathy pain and tingling:
– **Kneading Massage** – Shiatsu-style rotating massage heads/nodes provide a deep tissue kneading massage that stimulates nerve endings.
– **Adjustable Intensity** – Choose lighter or firmer massage pressure to suit sensitive feet or numb areas. Slowly increase intensity.
– **Infrared Heat** – Infrared heating pads warm and relax muscles while also increasing circulation. Helpful for cold, painful feet.
– **Variable Speed Options** – Faster speeds work out stiffness while slower speeds focus on circulation and relaxation.
– **Compression Massage** – Alternating air pressure compresses and squeezes feet to stimulate circulation.
– **Vibration Mode** – Gently vibrates and oscillates the feet to calm nerves, relax muscles, increase flexibility.
– **Raised Footbeds** – Elevate feet for proper positioning, comfort and increased blood flow down to the toes.
– **Programmed Settings** – Preset programs automatically combine massage techniques, heat and speed for a complete session.
– **Toe-Touch Controls** – Easy to reach toe-touch buttons allow you to make adjustments during use without bending over.
Best Foot Massagers for Neuropathy (Reviews)
Based on features, performance, effectiveness, and customer reviews, here are our picks for the top foot massagers for reducing neuropathic foot pain, numbness, and tingling:
1. Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager
– **Key Features:** Advanced deep-kneading Shiatsu rollers, adjustable air compression massage, vibration massage, multi-level settings, heating.
– **What We Like:** The deep-kneading Shiatsu rollers aggressively massage stiff, sore feet. Adjustable air compression targets pressure points. Soothing heat relaxes muscles.
– **Considerations:** Roller design may be too intense for extremely sensitive feet. Hard plastic footbeds can get uncomfortable during longer massages.
– **Price:** $$$
2. Nekteck Foot Massager
– **Key Features:** 18 massage heads with deep-kneading Shiatsu therapy, adjustable heating, customizable settings, easy toe-touch controls.
– **What We Like:** Penetrating Shiatsu nodes target pressure points in feet. Soothing heated air relaxes muscles for pain-relief. Auto massage programs simplify use.
– **Considerations:** Massage heads do not adjust, may not fit very small or very large feet optimally.
– **Price:** $$
3. MedMassager MMF06 Foot Massager
– **Key Features:** Powerful 11-speed motor (up to 3,700 RPM) for oscillating foot pad, kit includes arch bar for custom massage, rocker control.
– **What We Like:** Its industrial strength motor provides an intensely invigorating massage. Perfect for reducing stiffness and improving circulation.
– **Considerations:** Very powerful intensity may be too aggressive for sensitive feet.
– **Price:** $$$$
4. Kendal Foot Massager
– **Key Features:** Shiatsu kneading massage, soothing heat, compression air massage, 3 auto massage programs, adjustable bar for arch massage.
– **What We Like:** Combination of kneading, heat and compression offers well-rounded relief. Removable washable foot sleeves provide hygiene.
– **Considerations:** Foot chambers may be snug for those with larger feet. Intensity not as strong as some massagers.
– **Price:** $$
5. Renpho Foot Massager Machine
– **Key Features:** Shiatsu kneading rollers, adjustable heating, air compression massage, Bluetooth connectivity, remote control.
– **What We Like:** App and remote control allows you to control the massager and customize settings from across the room.
– **Considerations:** Foot chambers are not very deep which leaves ankles hanging off the end.
– **Price:** $$$
Tips for Using Foot Massagers for Neuropathy
Follow these tips to get the most relief out of your neuropathy foot massager:
– Start with lower intensities and short sessions (5-10 mins), then gradually increase intensity and duration as your feet get accustomed.
– Use heated features to relax muscles and increase blood flow, but avoid direct contact with inflamed skin or open wounds.
– Use compression massage after activity to flush out inflammation and prevent muscle stiffness/cramps.
– Massage feet separately if one foot has more severe neuropathy symptoms than the other.
– Focus the massage on the most numb or painful areas. Adjust position to target specific spots.
– Massage feet in the morning and evening to stimulate circulation and provide pain relief all day long.
– Apply moisturizing cream after massaging to prevent peeling/cracking of numb skin and keep skin supple.
– Stay well hydrated and limit caffeine/alcohol which can aggravate neuropathy symptoms.
– Consult your doctor to see if foot massage could interfere with any medical treatments you’re receiving.
Precautions for Using Foot Massagers with Neuropathy
While foot massagers can provide great relief for neuropathy, it’s wise to take these precautions:
– Avoid massaging feet with skin wounds, ulcers, infections, fractures, blood clots, pregnancy, or if you have a pacemaker/defibrillator. Consult your doctor first.
– Diabetics should check feet carefully for any damage or ulcers before massaging. Never massage swollen, inflamed feet or legs.
– Limit massage sessions to less than 15 minutes 1-2 times per day to avoid overuse injuries or circulation issues.
– Use gentle, soothing massage techniques and moderate pressure to avoid causing additional nerve damage or loss of protective sensation in the feet.
– Monitor feet closely during massages and stop if you experience any increased numbness, pain, or changes in skin color.
– Prevent heat mode from raising foot temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid burns.
– Maintain proper foot massager hygiene by sanitizing foot chambers and using the washable cloth covers.
While a foot massager can’t cure neuropathy, when used safely it can provide much needed relief from common neuropathy symptoms in the feet. Consult your doctor to see if a foot massager may be helpful for managing your individual case of neuropathy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can massagers make neuropathy worse?
In most cases, properly using a foot massager will not make neuropathy worse. However, using too much pressure, massaging for too long, or massaging inflamed/infected feet can potentially further damage sensitive nerves. It’s best to start with gentle settings and short durations under doctor supervision.
Where should you massage feet for neuropathy?
Focusing massage pressure on the areas of the feet with the most numbness/tingling will provide the most relief. This often includes pressure points in the heels, arches, balls of the feet, and toes. Massaging up into the calves can also help improve overall circulation.
Is heat good for neuropathy?
Yes, the heat feature on many foot massagers enhances the therapeutic benefits. Heat helps relax muscles, boosts circulation, and soothes neuropathy pain. But heat should not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Massage first, then use heat on already warm feet.
Can I use a foot massager every day?
It is generally safe to use a neuropathy foot massager daily as long as you don’t exceed 15 minutes per session and allow 1-2 hours between sessions. This prevents overuse. Listen to your body and reduce massage sessions if feet become sore.
How long does it take for a foot massager to work?
Relief can be felt during and immediately after use as massage stimulates circulation and nerve endings. But it may take a few weeks of consistent use (15 minutes daily) for cumulative benefits like improved nerve function, flexibility, and mobility.
The Takeaway
A foot massager designed specifically for neuropathy can provide much needed relief from common symptoms affecting the feet. Benefits include reduced pain, tingling, numbness, and improved circulation and flexibility. When shopping, look for massagers with Shiatsu kneading nodes, compression massage, vibration, and heating features to target neuropathy. With routine use, an at-home foot massager can be an invaluable addition to your neuropathy treatment and management plan. But be sure to consult your doctor before using one.