Hi there,

I registered on this forum just to tell others what worked for me in healing my problem.

All of a sudden, 5 years ago, I had started having constant tingling in my feet and lower legs and I was diagnosed with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. The tests showed that I had low conductivity in my nerves in my lower legs and feet. No doctor had any clue what was the cause or how to fix it.

I was quite upset and unhappy. I found this forum and tried various vitamins in the hope that they will improve my condition. Nothing seemed to work and the tingling got worse and I was waking up at night with small electric shocks through my legs.

I kind of admitted defeat and started to work on my mind to accept this condition and go on with my life. I was only 30 years old.

However, last year my condition improved drastically and now I feel slight tingling sensations only if I deliberately focus my mind on the sensations coming from my feet. No more electtric shocks or pain in my feet and legs.

I attribute my healing to 2 things I did:

1. I massaged the soles of my feet daily using a tennis ball. Just stand and bring a tennis ball under your foot and press against it with your foot. It may hurt a bit, depending on which spot you're pressing against. The goal is to massage the entire surface of the sole of your feet so you no longer feel any painful spots. I did this daily any time I had some free time or while watching a video or talking with friends.

I found that the tennis ball massage stimulated my nerves and improved the blood circulation to my feet.

2. I started making weekly visits to a kinetotherapist to improve my back condition. I have lumbar kyphosis and disc degeneration in my lumbar discs. I was doing exercises to improve my posture and have strength in my abs and back muscles.

I believe that by doing exercises and improving my posture, I somehow unblocked the nerves and / or blood vessels that went to my feet.


Well, this is my story. I realize that there can be different causes to peripheral neuropathy but maybe my account helps other people that are in a similar situation as I was. Give it a shot.

Hello kaciula: Welcome to NeuroTalk. Thanks for sharing your experiences! I trust you will find the time you spend here on NT to be of benefit.

I have pretty advanced arthritis in my feet, right foot worst since this is the side of body I had a hip replacement. Many complications from that surgery. Including knee OA worsened. I just came out of a hospital/rehab situation for 4.5 months due to staph infection which went undetected for 2.5 months by doctors.

Anyway the last rehab I was in, I was taught to put tennis balls in a sock and roll my foot on those balls to a count of how long can go. I'll think about standing on the balls. I use 3 balls in a sock. I do that before I start walking after a night's sleep and often during the day. I have I THINK nerve damage from all the OA I live with. And the hip surgery.

These balls do help with circulation and whatever else they are doing.

Thanks for bringing this up. C

Thanks Kasciula.
I tried rolling a ball under my foot as I'm a fan of Myofacial release and I think feet is where so many problems begin. Unfortunately my feet were so sensitive the ball triggered symptoms immediately up to my shins. My symptoms are much different now so I think I will try again with perhaps a little less vigor

I am so happy that you have been able to fix your IPN and I wish you continued success in the future. It's nice to hear a happy story.

Hi. If you are standing up when rolling the tennis ball, you can apply very little pressure on the ball so that it doesn't hurt. Initially, my feet hurt a lot and I felt more intense tingling afterwards. But somehow I felt it was doing good and I persevered. Nowadays, I barely feel any uncomfortable sensation in the soles of my feet when doing the ball exercises. So it does take time.

I am really glad that I came across this post and the suggestion. The neuropathy in my feet has become more uncomfortable and there are times when I long for a good foot rub. I don't have a mate (other than my Chihuahua), so I'll give this a go! Thanks!

I would NOT be without Vicks Vapo Rub for my feet and use it for sleep and during the day and wear socks always. I put drops of essential oils in the Vicks too to a little more umph... I think there is a separate post on Vicks somewhere here.