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Morton's Neuroma Remedies

"Morton's neuroma (also known as Morton's metatarsalgia, Morton's neuralgia, plantar neuroma and intermetatarsal neuroma) is a benign neuroma of an intermetatarsal plantar nerve, most commonly of the third and fourth intermetatarsal spaces.

This problem is characterised by numbness and pain, relieved by removing footwear.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morton's_neuroma

DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.


Remedies Needed

01/24/2010: Lutie from Louisville, Kentucky: "Morton's Neuroma is something I have not seen addressed here, but is so very common. Has anyone used apple cider vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to alleviate horrendous and constant pain associated with this very common disease? I am trying to eliminate the pain with ACV (1 Tablespoon in small glass of filtered water). HELP!"

Replies
02/01/2010: Juliette from Santa Fe, New Mexico replies: "I am a reflexologist, and have had good results with clients with Morton's Neuroma. You can try to stretch out your own foot, trying with your fingers to get deep into the tissue. Rolling your foot on golf balls can also help to relieve the pain."
02/07/2010: Jennifer from Chillicothe, Ohio replies: "I, too, have had Mortons neuroma. I went to a podiatrist who took and adhesive pad about 1/4 of an inch thick beveled the edges and placed it on the insole of my shoe, directly behind my toes to the side of the ball of my foot. The purpose was to cause a sort of arch along the pad of my foot. It worked. That was a couple of years ago and without a landmark on my foot to go by, its sort of hard to find the spot myself. I may end up going back just so he will show me where it needs to go."
12/27/2010: Happytraill from Concord, Nc replies: "Hi, does anybody have any successful remedies with this ailment?"
01/04/2011: Rebeccakov from Dover, Ma replies: "Best thing I did were stretches. Get a "Step Stretch" from a running store and stretch the back of your calf. Somehow it's all connected. A few weeks of doing that 1-2x a day and I felt major improvement. I still do it occasionally and wear orthotics a few times a week (esp. When running). I can wear a variety of shoes (w/ or w/o orthotics), as long as the toe box is wide and they don't hurt when I test them out. Good luck! "
03/27/2011: Mooseybandito from 98042, Seattle, Wa replies: "After suffering for 6 months, dropping my heels and going to flats, taking off work, ice, and everything else known to man... I had to come up with something was because I was taking my kids to Disneyland and couldn't fathom using a scooter. I had read somewhere about using EFT (not a supplement). I hestantly and not really thinking it would work, began tapping. Within hours my foot improved and within weeks it was gone! I only did a few times and had success. It's been 9 months now and I am back in my heels with no problems to report. Boy was that painful. I recently used alpha lapoic acid for a really bad nerve problem in my tooth.... I wonder if that would have helped the foot. It worked amazing on my tooth - better than all those pain meds the doctor gave me."
11/08/2011: Johnna from Lawndale, Nc replies: "Can you please explain how the EFT tapping is done for this ailment? Thank you"
12/10/2012: Kmbrown3 from Chicago, Il replies: "Hello All, I can happily say I am DONE with my Neuroma pain... I won't go into detail of the years of suffering but with patience, rest and persistance you can definitely get back to a normal life.

I've had alcohol and cortisone injections which did not last for other than a few weeks and finally succomb to the ligament release surgery, which may have made the condition worse!!

After the surgery I was unable to stand for more than (5-10) minutes with out pain. I was crawling on my hands and knees to use the bath room or bathe, I had to kneel down on a stool to cook or do dishes... It was pretty bad :-(

My healing process boils down to this:

REST, listen to your body. I did not do more than my feet would let me. I stopped exercising, walking or standing too long. I even used the motor scooter at the grocery store and was able to get a Handicap placard from my doctor. I took up water areobics and swimming to get some kind of workout in. Every little bit helps!

Stop wearing slim or narrow shoes or socks that are too tight! I know now that I have to purchase shoes EXTRA wide and a half size larger that normal because the pressure on the toes was ridiculous. Even the socks I wore are tossed out. Sometimes my feet went numb... That's a tell-tell sign. I now wear a men's sock or the athletic sock with the build in arch support (don't know if they do anything for the arch but they don't hurt my feet at all)

Ice bath at least 2x's a day or you can do a hot/cold bath and switch between the two. The ice decreases pain and imflammation. The hot/cold improves blood circulation.

I made my own version of a foot pillow by stuffing a knee high with cotton stuffing and wrapping it around the middle part of my foot. It may it so there was no pressure squeezing the nerve from either side... There's an invention out there for it. Can't remember what its called, but I'm cheeeeep, cheeep cheap so I made my own.

I started taking a few supplements from my local health food store. It was a mixture of natural anti- inflammatories (bromelian and tumeric), a digestive enzyme, and a nerve supporting supplentment and something else to strenghten my ligaments. I was also doing a multivitamins and Omega 3s.

Massaging and stretching the feet, toes AND calves really, really helps. Combine this with foot strenghtening exercises (heel & toe raises, towel scrunching, etc). My fiance is a PT and gave me a lot of strenghtening exercises that helped. I did a lot of this in the pool also, because it was so therapeutic and there's less impact on the feet... Plus my feet always felt brand new after a swim!

Taping is excellent!! I did the tear drop on the bottom of my foot, along with a piece or two on the arch (from the bottom, instep to the top middle of my foot), combined with a piece to keep my big to somewhat seperated from the next to (I have small bunions and I know that contributes to neuromas as well). I would tape and use to separators.

Make sure you have a clean diet. Get a blood test to figure out if you are allergic to any foods and avoid those foods. Eat clean, plenty of veggies, lost of water, remove preservatives and processed foods and sugar. This boostes your immune system allows your body to focus on other areas That need healing.

Finally, to save the best for last I got Vibram Five Fingers... Best bday gift ever. They are a pain to get used to but It will changeyour life forever. I am hooked. They naturally make your foot stronger and after about a year I was FINALLY able to run without any pain! You have to get Vibrams... Not the Addidas, not Fila, it's not the same"



Supplements, Massage With Essential Oils

Ratings:
1
YEA

[YEA]  02/12/2013: Daisy from Ny: "Hi everyone. I battled Morton`s Neuroma for a year and I was in a lot of pain. What helped me was serrapeptase plus MSM and vit B complex. I don`t like taking pills but I was getting discouraged and didn`t want to have it surgically removed so I after a lot of research I stumbled upon this enzyme and decided to give it a try. I believe massages with essential oils of rosemary, helichrysum, lavender and lemongrass also helped a lot along with a good diet of course. I really hope this helps you!"

Replies
02/25/2013: Daisy from Nyc, Ny replies: "Just wanted to say that I'm definitely pain free-I don`t know why my comment appears as [Better but not cured].Thanks."

EC: Thanks for letting us know! Rating updated to YEA.