The benefits of ice
 

Hello,

I had not seen it mentioned here but I have found that when I use ice cubes rubbed over the burning painful areas of the thighs wrists or forearms for example it really helps with the pain from SFN. Sometimes simple things really work well.

Has anyone tried massaging areas that are painful, I wonder if that would be of benefit?

Cliffman

Are you 100% sure you have SFN and not RSD/CRPS?
Ice would be a no for RSD/CRPS..

(I haven't read all of your posts , so mentioning it, just in case)

Hi Jomar,
Yes skin biopsy confirmed SFN.

Yes, my chiro from years ago when I dislocated my knee,
taught me about cold treatment.

She said heat will rev nerves up, and make pain worse.
There are treatments now for arthritis that use cold also.

Just don't overdo it. 15-20 min tops up to 3 times a day.

I have 2 large 3M gel packs I keep in the freezer and do my neck and back when they start causing pain for me. Ice on the inner wrists also works well for hand pain. (you can find these on Amazon.)

I stay away from hot baths, hot tubs, steam rooms and heating pads now. Always place a thin cloth between the cold source and your skin. If you notice ANY negative changes, stop using cold.

Cold slows nerve conduction so it is helpful for PN pain. The RSD (CRPS) patients have circulatory problems with their type of neuropathy, and cannot tolerate cold.

I've mentioned cold many times, but since I have over 30,000 posts now (some of those are moderator posts), it can be hard to find them. (sometimes I only go so far as to recommend avoidance of heat sources.)

Good Morning Cliffman :)
 

Self massage
 

The deep ache "bone pain" was what I used self massage on. I had deep Lumbar and hip and buttock pain. It didn't drive it away but it felt better and sometimes it is anything to feel better, right? Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Ice is nice!
 

I also have had good results from cold therapy. I can no longer tolerate heat as it triggers my symptoms almost immediately. Even my Epsom Salts baths are no hotter then room temperature.

Since it is looking like my lumbar spine area is the source of symptoms (L4-5 & S1) that is where I place my gel product. Mine is by Elasto Gel. It wasn't inexpensive, but I have had it for over 10 years without a problem. It has velcro and I can attach it where I need it and it stays put. 10-15 minutes no more than 3 times a day is a big help. I also use it for prevention when I have overdone something before the burning begins.

I soak for about 20 minutes in a trashcan that fits both my feet and goes to about half way up my calves. 5lbs of ice and fill with water.

I do it before work and then after. I dont go anywhere til i soak now.
i also have large ice packs under each thigh that i sit on in the office. I have a second pair i rotate out of the freezer. A second 2 sets are at home. I call ice my 'morphine'.

I have a 16oz/500ml water bottle that I've frozen and use for rolling under my feet. As much for some planar faciaitis as it is for my nerve pain.

I've read about a case study where someone gave herself frostbite while using cold to treat her nerve pain. Be careful out there.

Supposedly going from hot to cold is effective for relief. Taking showers where you fluctuate the temperature between cold and hot is supposedly to be of relief. Cold stimulates circulation and benefits arteries. if you can stand a cold shower in this brutal winter cold.

i find cold relieves my "nerve pain" to an extent but leaves me with a deeper bone pain and stiffness.