What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition that affects millions of people, often causing symptoms such as tingling, burning, sharp pain, or numbness—most commonly in the hands and feet. It occurs when the nerves in the body become damaged or dysfunctional. From a Natural Hygiene perspective, we understand that true healing doesn’t come from external fixes, but from restoring balance within the body.
Understanding Your Nervous System
Your peripheral nerves act like electrical wiring, sending signals from your brain to your muscles (to move) and from your skin and muscles back to your brain (to feel). To function properly, these nerves need a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, delivered by tiny blood vessels known as the vasa nervorum.
When blood flow to these nerves is restricted, the nerves begin to deteriorate. This leads to a range of symptoms from mild numbness to severe, crippling pain.
What Causes Poor Nerve Blood Supply?
There are several well-known causes of neuropathy, including:
1. Diabetes
Poorly managed blood sugar levels are one of the leading causes of nerve damage. Over time, elevated glucose levels harm the inner lining of blood vessels, reducing blood flow to nerves. This is known as diabetic neuropathy.
- Learn more: NHS: Peripheral Neuropathy – Causes
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs are known to be toxic to nerve tissue, often leading to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN’s damage both nerves and the small blood vessels that feed them.
3. Lifestyle Factors
Poor circulation due to inactivity, nutrient-poor diets, smoking, and chronic stress can all contribute to reduced nerve health.
Natural Hygiene and Neuropathy
Rather than relying on invasive interventions or synthetic treatments, Natural Hygiene seeks to address the root causes of disease by providing the body with the conditions it needs to heal itself.
Here are core principles relevant to nerve health:
Clean, Whole-Food Diet
A fruit- and vegetable-rich diet, abundant in raw, water-rich foods, helps restore circulation and alkalise the body. This reduces internal inflammation and supports nerve regeneration.
- Suggested reading: Forks Over Knives: Plant-Based Diet for Nerve Pain
Deep Rest and Sleep
Nerve healing occurs primarily during deep, restful sleep. Prioritise a consistent sleep schedule and minimise stimulation before bed.
Sunshine and Fresh Air
Natural light and oxygen-rich environments support overall vitality and healthy circulation.
Movement and Gentle Exercise
Daily movement improves blood flow to the extremities, preventing stagnation in the limbs.
Hydration
Pure water is essential for maintaining healthy blood viscosity and nutrient delivery.
Emotional Clarity and Nervous System Calm
Chronic emotional stress can worsen symptoms and suppress healing. Practices like breathwork, meditation, and time in nature can help re-regulate the nervous system.
Chronic Wounds: Another Sign of Poor Circulation
Chronic wounds—like ulcers or bedsores—are slow to heal and often become infected. They are common in people with diabetes, circulatory disorders, or limited mobility. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, chronic wounds affect over 8 million people in the United States alone.
When the body can’t circulate enough blood to a wound, the healing stops.
The answer is not to force healing through drugs or surgery. It is better to remove what’s obstructing the body’s natural repair systems—like processed foods, toxins, and poor lifestyle habits—and replace them with healthful conditions.
Conditions Linked to Neuropathy
Excessive Angiogenesis (Too Many Blood Vessels Formed)
These conditions are driven or worsened by the overgrowth of blood vessels, which can feed tumours or create inflammation:
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Diabetes-related vision loss
- Endometriosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukaemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Obesity
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid cancer
Insufficient Angiogenesis (Too Few Blood Vessels Formed)
These conditions are caused or worsened by inadequate blood flow, leading to tissue damage and poor healing:
- Alopecia
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ischemic heart disease
- Heart failure
- Neuropathy
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pressure ulcers
- Venous leg ulcers
A Final Word
Modern medicine is exploring high-tech solutions like gene therapy and growth factor injections to artificially boost nerve blood flow. But Natural Hygiene offers a simpler, safer, and more sustainable approach, one rooted in the innate wisdom of the body.
By restoring the foundations of health—clean diet, rest, movement, air, water, and emotional balance—you create the conditions for nerve healing and regeneration from the inside out.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re ready to take your health into your own hands and explore the full potential of Natural Hygiene, check out my 6-month Natural Health Coach Training or sign up for a free resource on how to begin detoxing safely.