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The Best Remedies for a Stinging Nerve Spasm & Pain in the Foot

Nerve pain and spasms in your feet can be caused by any number of disorders, medications or injuries. Some common causes of these symptoms include shoes that are too small or tight, a strained muscle or ligament or diabetes. Obesity can cause pain in your feet as well. Some diseases your doctor may look for will include arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout. Depending on your diagnosis, these are some of the treatments your doctor may recommend.

  1. Antidepressants

    • Several classes of antidepressant medications have been shown to help manage symptoms of neuropathy. By binding to certain signal centers in the brain, tricyclics, SSRIs and amitriptylines have been shown to interfere with pain signals and have an analgesic affect on the body.

    Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

    • Motrin and Advil, available over the counter, are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They can be used for mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation, which causes pain. For more severe symptoms, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a form of ibuprofen that your doctor can inject. Medication administered through injection is activated quicker than taking medication orally.

    Anticonvulsants

    • Though not fully understood, anti-seizure medications are believed to interfere with the pain signals sent from damaged nerves to the brain. Some common anticonvulsants developed in the last 15 years cause fewer side affects than older drugs. These include Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin) and Topamax (topiramate).

    Opioids

    • Narcotic painkillers like Percocet and Vicodin are some of the most effective pain-relieving drugs on the market. The downside to taking these medications, however, is a tendency for them to become habit forming. Since neuropathy is a chronic condition, many doctors are hesitant to prescribe these addictive drugs and would rather treat pain with a combination of stress management, exercise and non-habit-forming medication.

    Lifestyle

    • Unfortunately, drugs will not likely eliminate your pain 100 percent. The Chronic Pain Association recommends some other techniques for managing pain and discomfort. Try to reduce stress with exercise or see a therapist who specializes in pain management. Exercise and meditation also reduce stress and increase endorphins, which are chemicals that trigger a ‘feel-good’ response in the brain.

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