Non-Narcotic Pain Relief for Nerve Damage

Non-narcotic pain relief for nerve damage involves treatments ranging from those capable of being done in the comfort of your home to those involving going to a medical professional's office for natural remedies. All treatments are based on the fact you will be helping your body heal itself naturally.

  1. Aromatherapy

    • Use essential oils. Essential oils can be used to provide local anesthetic effects, to establish analgesia and to create a counter irritant stimulus, states Abundant Life Essentials. They also can provide non-narcotic pain relief for nerve damage by creating a sense of coolness or warmth.

      Use clove. This essential oil provides an instant numbing to the nerves. It can be applied to any affected pain area locally (put on 3 to 5 drops). Or, for chronic pain relief, you can use it daily. Apply 3 to 5 drops to the sole of your foot, and it will prevent pain in any area of the body, states Abundant Life Essentials.

      Use evening primrose oil, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and/or cranberry seed oil. These essential oils protect and regenerate the nerve coverings.

      Use Ylang Ylang and Blue Tansy to calm nerves. The essential oil known as Helichrysum can also be used as non-narcotic pain relief for nerve damage because it regenerates and strengthens your nerves.

    Acupuncture

    • Get acupuncture. Acupuncture is a non-narcotic pain relief for nerve damage that helps balance your body. It works on your body's meridian points, and according to sheridanhill.com, effectively treats weaknesses in your body.

    Healthy Lifestyle

    • Develop healthy habits. This includes getting more physical activity. Any form of exercise can improve muscle strength and reduce cramps, which lead to pain relief for nerve damage. Eating a balanced diet is important because it helps to correct vitamin deficiencies. Maintaining an optimal weight plays a major role in reducing your pain from nerve damage, states the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

      Healthy lifestyle changes often encourage nerve regeneration.

    Things To Avoid

    • Avoid certain items known for increasing nerve damage. These items, known as excitotoxins, include additives such as MSG, soy protein extract and hydrolyzed protein.

      Avoid artificial sweeteners. Splenda (sucralose), acesulfame potassium and NutraSweet (aspartame) have all been shown to worsen nerve damage and its impending pain.

      Avoid exposure to toxins. Toxins can be found in your food, water, outdoor and indoor air and your overall environment. Lessening your exposure to toxins can result in decreased pain relief for nerve damage, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

      Avoid, or limit, alcohol. Alcohol lessens your inhibitions and reduces both the emotional and physical effects of any peripheral neuropathy.

      Avoid tobacco. If you smoke, quit. This is particularly important because smoking is noted for constricting your blood vessels that supply nutrients to your peripheral nerves. This is how your nerve damage worsens.