Guide to Understanding Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief
Updated on May 29, 2024
Shop the best shoes for neuropathy
If you are suffering from neuropathy or nerve damage in the feet, you are likely all too familiar with the numbness, tingling, and pain that comes with it.
In most cases, there is no cure for neuropathy. However, choosing shoes for people with neuropathy can go a long way in helping you manage your symptoms. Many types of footwear aggravate neuropathy symptoms by restricting blood flow and putting increased pressure on the nerves in the feet, causing unnecessary discomfort.
The best shoes for neuropathy cushion and support your feet without restricting movement to promote a natural posture and gait. For those with neuropathy foot problems, comfortable shoes can make a world of difference.
KURU offers some of the best shoes for neuropathy feet. Each shoe is designed to relieve pain and offers a generous toe box, shock-absorbing cushion, wide width options, and plenty of arch support. With KURU shoes, you can enjoy the comfort and support you need with on-trend styles you’ll be excited to wear.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy, also known as Peripheral Neuropathy, is damage to the nerves in one or more areas of the body’s nervous system.
This condition commonly affects the hands and feet and is often linked with people living with diabetes. That said, there are many kinds of neuropathy, each with its own set of symptoms and treatment options. The location of the nerve damage determines the impact it will have on the body.
When it comes to neuropathy in the feet, damage to the peripheral nervous system is the culprit. Peripheral neuropathy causes nerve damage to the feet and hands, leading to numbness, tingling, and other painful symptoms. Wearing shoes for peripheral neuropathy that offer adequate width, shock absorption, and cushion can help alleviate pain.
Although neuropathy is generally a chronic condition, there are ways to manage symptoms and help prevent further nerve damage. One such exercise is the seated calf stretch, which can help stretch the muscles in your feet and promote blood flow to the area. Check out the video below for a demonstration of this stretch.
Most Common Causes & Risk Factors for Developing Neuropathy
Whether you have a high or low risk for developing peripheral neuropathy, knowing the causes and risk factors can help you better manage your overall health.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Symptoms can slowly appear over time or suddenly, depending upon the underlying condition causing the neuropathy.
- Numbness, prickling or tingling “pins and needles” in your feet or hands
- Stabbing or throbbing pain
- Increased sensitivity to touch or pressure of any kind
- Muscle weakness
- Lack of sensation in hands or feet—feeling as though you are wearing gloves or socks when you are not
- Loss of coordination and balance or falling
If you have a health condition that puts you at a higher risk of developing neuropathy, talk with your doctor about preventative treatment.
If you are experiencing symptoms, or have a neuropathy diagnosis, your doctor will build a treatment plan to help manage symptoms and help prevent further damage.
Neuropathy Facts and Stats
- More than 20 million Americans have some form of neuropathy.
- Symptoms of neuropathy can range from mild to debilitating, and are rarely life threatening.
- Onset of neuropathy symptoms can happen over days, weeks, or even years.
- If you suffer from neuropathy, one of the most important things you can do is make smart choices when it comes to your footwear.
- The highest rates of neuropathy in diabetes patients occur in those who have had diabetes for more than 25 years.
Treatment
In most cases, there is no cure for neuropathy. However, there are many things you can do to help ease symptoms, improve your quality of life, and help prevent future nerve damage.
Treatment options will vary, depending on the underlying condition that caused the nerve damage, and may be a combination of medical intervention, at-home remedies and lifestyle changes.
Remember, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms as much as possible, and manage any underlying conditions. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for you.
FAQs
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What are the best shoes for neuropathy?
The best men’s and women’s shoes for neuropathy cushion and support your feet without restricting movement. Look for shoes with a wide toe box that doesn’t pinch the toes together, a supportive sole with plenty of cushion and shock absorbency, and proper heel support.
KURU shoes have anatomical arch support designed to address every foot concern—including painful neuropathy symptoms.
KURUCLOUD is made of lightweight EVA foam to absorb shock and diffuse impact to joints, tendons, and bones. Our patented KURUSOLE protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. Our ULTIMATE INSOLES are made of dual-density foam that supports and forms to your arch to offer powerful bounce back and personalized pain relief.
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Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don't need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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How do I lace neuropathy shoes?
If you are suffering from neuropathy, small things can aggravate your symptoms—including the way you choose to tie your shoelaces. Specific lacing techniques may create pressure points across the tops of the feet.
If the common “cross lace” method is causing you problems, try a different lacing method. No matter what lacing method you try, make sure you are choosing one that helps alleviate hot spots or pressure points across the tops of the feet.
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What is the difference between neuropathy shoes and regular shoes?
As odd as it may seem, comfort isn’t always a top priority when designing shoes. The result? An attractive shoe that doesn’t accommodate your natural foot shape or provide any support (I’m looking at you, stiletto heels!). These types of shoes can create new foot pain and aggravate existing issues.
In contrast, comfort is the top priority for women’s and men’s shoes for neuropathy. Some of the best shoes for diabetics with neuropathy—or other neuropathy patients—include footwear with plenty of cushion and width, better support in the sole and heel, a roomier toe box, and flexible uppers. And with KURU’s on-trend styles, you can enjoy the custom support you need with shoes you’ll be excited to wear.
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Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
- 1
KURUSOLE
...Show LessOur patented KURUSOLE plate protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
Our patented KURUSOLE plate protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
- 2
KURUCLOUD
...Show LessOur KURUCLOUD is made of dense EVA foam to absorb shock and diffuse the impact of each step. This heavenly foundation provides long-lasting comfort for all-day wear even when standing for long periods or walking on hard surfaces.
Our KURUCLOUD is made of dense EVA foam to absorb shock and diffuse the impact of each step. This heavenly foundation provides long-lasting comfort for all-day wear even when standing for long periods or walking on hard surfaces.
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ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessMade of 5mm of durable, dual-density foam, our ULTIMATE INSOLES last longer than traditional thin inserts. The advanced foam supports and adapts to your arch over time to provide you with powerful bounce back and personalized pain relief.
Made of 5mm of durable, dual-density foam, our ULTIMATE INSOLES last longer than traditional thin inserts. The advanced foam supports and adapts to your arch over time to provide you with powerful bounce back and personalized pain relief.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
Our Secret
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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