How to Sleep Better When You Have Neuropathy Pain

Neuropathy pain will often disrupt your daytime routine, but it can also cause problems at night. If you can’t sleep due to neuropathy pain, you’re probably not getting the rest you need to thrive.

Nerve damage interferes with the transmission of pain signals between your body and brain. It can also prevent you from getting a good night’s rest, which is why many residents of Alexandria, Virginia, turn to Capital Podiatry Associates for relief.

Our mission is to help patients improve their overall quality of life, and many people experience sleep disruption brought on by neuropathy pain. Here, we explore how neuropathy interferes with sleep and offer tips and techniques to help.

What is neuropathy, and how does it impact sleep quality?

Neuropathy is the medical term used to refer to nerve damage. Your peripheral nerves extending through your arms and legs are the ones that cause pain in your ankles and feet.

Many things can cause or contribute to nerve damage. Diabetes, shingles, radiation therapy, alcohol use disorder, tumors, and even surgical damage can lead to nerve problems.

Neuropathy pain can manifest in different ways. For some, spontaneous pain feels like burning, stinging, or electric shock. In some cases, this pain may seem to occur for no reason.

Neuropathy can also prevent you from feeling pain. This is incredibly dangerous because you can sustain significant damage before you realize it, such as from a cut or a burn.

One reason neuropathy pain seems worse at night is that usual daytime inputs — such as sounds, sights, and scents — lessen, giving your brain more time to focus on the pain signals.

Pain can take a huge toll in the daytime, both physically and mentally. But when it continues into the evening, it can rob you of restful sleep. Without enough sleep, you’ll quickly feel the ramifications.

How to sleep better when neuropathy pain gets in the way

Cold temperatures often trigger neuropathy pain. But you can reduce discomfort by taking a bath or warm shower before bed and using blankets to stay cozy once you turn in for the night.

You can also change your sleep position. A position that lengthens your spine can help decompress the nerves that cause your neuropathy. To maintain healthy spine alignment, you can sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, or sleep in a recliner. If you prefer your back, place a bolster or other type of pillow behind your knees.

It’s also helpful to find the right balance in your exercise routine. Staying active is a great way to relieve neuropathy, so take time to move around to the best of your ability. Just remember that pushing too hard can actually cause more nerve pain, so don’t do activities that create undue stress on your body.

Looking for lasting relief from neuropathy pain?

If you’re searching for a solution to ongoing neuropathy pain in your feet and ankles, our team at Capital Podiatry Associates is here to provide a path forward. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services to determine the source of your pain and alleviate it.

When you’re ready to get started, we’re ready to work with you. Call our office to check appointment availability or request an appointment online.