How to Use a Toothpick to Help Your Neuropathy

November 24, 2024

Neuropathy

How to Use a Toothpick for Neuropathy

Hi, it’s Satoru from hariQ acupuncture & herbs. In this blog post, I’d like to share how you can improve sensation in your hands and feet affected by neuropathy using a toothpick. Neuropathy is a neurological issue that causes numbness, tingling, prickling, burning, and a loss of sensation in the hands or feet. Several risk factors, including diabetes, traumatic injuries, infections, and exposure to toxins can cause this condition.

It is incredibly frustrating and difficult to understand why you don’t want to leave it alone. Effectively managing neuropathy symptoms is crucial for maintaining a good quality of life. You can use a toothpick to stimulate acupuncture points on your own, which may help reduce tingling and numbness while increasing sensation in your feet.

We understand this can be a lot of information and overwhelming: if you are looking for more support and answers, set up a free consultation with our Neuropathy Specialist, Satoru Ozawa. Share your story, get your questions answered, and learn how you can set yourself up for tremendous success in achieving a healthy life.

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What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that occurs when peripheral nerves, which are responsible for sending signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, are damaged. This can result in a variety of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, prickling, burning, and a loss of sensation in the affected areas. Neuropathy can be caused by a number of factors, including diabetes, traumatic injuries, infections, and exposure to toxins.

How to use a toothpick for Neuropathy

Acupuncture points have a history spanning over 1,000 years and are rooted in ancient traditional wisdom and experimental medicine. Ancient practitioners utilized acupuncture points to address various ailments. One significant type of acupuncture point is called jing-well points.

What is Jing-Well Points?

Jing-well points are the starting and ending points of the 12 primary meridians, located at the tips of the fingers and toes. These points help balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting the expansion of blood vessels and increasing blood flow. As a result, they can alleviate numbness and tingling in the fingertips and feet.

The technique I use is known as the “Fukuda-Abo theory,” which involves Jing-well acupuncture. In Japan, doctors utilize needles at Jing-well points to treat their patients, often incorporating bloodletting as part of the process. However, a doctor named Dr. Nagata later discovered that it is not necessary to insert needles into the Jing-well points; instead, simply pricking these points can yield the same benefits, including relief from neuropathy. This method is referred to as the Prickling Neuro-Stimulation Technique.

Where are Jing-Well Points?

The jing-well points are located on the nail beds of the fingertips and toes. These points are quite sensitive, and it’s essential to feel a slight “ouch” sensation when stimulating them. This reaction is important because it helps engage your brain in increasing and balancing the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

You can use a toothpick or a pen to prick the points on your fingertips and toes.

Repeat this 3 more time every day.

4 Steps Of How To Make Foot Neuropathy Better (Numbness & Tingling)

I also demonstrate how to manage or improve foot sensation at home with 4 simple steps. You can add these 4 steps to your self-care routine. Please check my other blog post. 4 Steps Of How To Make Foot Neuropathy Better (Numbness & Tingling)

Important Note

Performing these prickling technique can help speed up your healing process and alleviate numbness and tingling on your feet and fingers. However, if you are still experiencing trouble with your hands and foot sensation, you may want to consider alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, to expedite the recovery process.

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We'll be happy to answer your questions.

Is Acupuncture Effective for Neuropathy?

Yes. Acupuncture is very effective for neuropathy. We examined your hands and feet sensation during the initial acupuncture session. The treatments focused on reducing inflammation and swelling. Acupuncture has been shown in many studies to be incredibly practical in reducing pain and inflammation due to its ability to stimulate the body to release its natural painkillers. So, you start feeling relieved from the pain after each session.

When Should I start Acupuncture?

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner one receives treatment, the better the prognosis. Some patients come for neuropathy treatment months or even years after the initial onset, and these chronic cases are often more complex and take a much longer time to achieve results. Even then, recovery is not guaranteed.

How Often Should I Schedule Acupuncture Sessions?

Regarding the frequency of treatments, Acupuncture follows a simple rule. Acute and relatively new conditions are most effectively treated with more frequent visits, whereas chronic and old conditions can benefit from more widespread treatments. In other words, if you just had an onset of neuropathy, you will probably be prescribed 2-3 treatments per week in order to get the most effective results, and chronic cases will generally come in only once a week.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with neuropathy and want to learn more about acupuncture and whether it’s appropriate for your case, send us a message through our contact page. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post! I appreciate your interest and hope to see you again for future posts.