Tingling Toes and Tips

BLOG for Blue Yoga by Kim Stabbe, MS, RDH, RYT

“Yoga Assists Peripheral Neuropathy Symptom Management”

Peripheral neuropathy may be experienced when there is tingling, numbness or sensitivity to touch in the feet and hands. It can be due to Diabetes, a traumatic injury, carpel tunnel syndrome to name a few possible causes.1 Yoga can assist in the management of peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Several studies have shown the benefits of yoga as a supplemental aid to the medical treatments & strategies used to treat/manage peripheral neuropathy. A study was reported in 2002 which showed when Type 2 Diabetics did yoga for 30-40 minutes a day for 40 days their glycemic control improved and they had less neuropathy.2 High glycemic levels effect many parts of the body negatively and peripheral neuropathy is one of these negative effects.2,3 Yoga benefits the body by increasing oxygen to the tissues and increasing blood circulation to the nerves which is needed in peripheral neuropathy.1 A review of studies conducted in 2012 found yoga to be a valid supplemental therapy for individuals dealing with peripheral neuropathy.4

The severity of your neuropathy will determine what type of yoga class would best fit your needs. Less severe cases may do well with a Hatha class that involves seated and standing poses. More severe cases may do better with a chair yoga class. Blue Yoga Studio’s yoga classes are held Monday through Thursday. Come check out a yoga class and help your mind-body connection deal with your symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

REFERENCES:

Cespedes, A., “Yoga for Peripheral Neuropathy”, Livestrong.com, updated Jan. 30, 2018

Malhotra, V., et. al., “Effect of Yoga Asanas on Nerve Conduction in Type 2 Diabetics”, Indian J of Physiol & Pharmacol, 2002 Jul, 46(3): 298-306

Stino, A. & Smith, A.G., “Peripheral Neuropathy in Prediabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome”, J Diabetes Investig, 2017 Sep; 8(5): 646-655

Mishra, S., et. al., “The Therapeutic Value of Yoga in Neurological Disorders”, Ann Indian Acad Neurol, 2012 Oct-Dec; 15(4): 247-254