Nerve Damage & Pain

These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice.  Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription medications.

Those who have had a nerve injury can fully appreciate the intensity of the pain they inflict! Diet plays a key role in promoting healing. Nerves are negatively affected if there is a high amount of acid in circulation. The following suggestions can help:

A Healing Diet

• Drink 7-10 glasses room temperature filtered or spring water.  The nervous system can be affected by chemicals like chlorine and extreme cold or hot foods and beverages.
• Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming.  An acidic system aggravates the nervous system and can exacerbate pain and slow healing.
• Shift up to organic foods. Exposure to pesticides impacts on the nervous system.
• Lightly cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, beans, raw seeds and nuts, provide high nutrition and antioxidants. Consume acid forming meat and grains in moderation.
• Apple cider vinegar used as a condiment or sipped in water with meals, improves digestion, corrects pH, and decreases inflammation.
• Fermented foods enhance absorption of nutrients while balancing body pH.
• Have 1-3 tbsp hemp, chia, or ground flax seeds for fibre and essential fatty acids.
• Cook gently.  High heat produces inflammatory acrylamides and advanced glycation end-products.

Supplements to prevent common deficiencies & support nerve health

• Bio-Strath – a fermented wholefood tonic that provides B Complex vitamins and many other essential nutrients.  It helps to alkalize the system and decrease stress.
• B12 sublingual 5,000 mcg for one month then 1,000 mcg to promote nerve healing.
• Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to the upper limit of 4,000 IU – anti-inflammatory, promotes healthy immunity.
• Magnesium – necessary for proper nerve transmission.
• Omega 3 fatty acids – double up on label directions for one month.  EFA’s reduce inflammation and protect the myelin sheath surrounding nerve bundles.
• Probiotics – intermittent use promotes health pH.

Special Care for the Nerves

• Serrapeptase is a unique enzyme that breaks down and eliminates excess damaged material at the site of a nerve injury.  It reduces inflammation and speeds healing.  Take morning and night on an empty stomach for two weeks, then reduce to once a day as long as needed.
• Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can heal nerve damage.  It is unique in that it is both water and fat soluble allowing it to access any body tissue and provide protection and repair.
• St John’s Wort is a nervine tonic that reduces inflammation of the nervous system and promotes healing.  St John’s Wort is traditionally used to treat mild to moderate depression and has the added benefit of relieving anxiety and stress.
• The homeopathic form of St John’s Wort, known as hypericum, can be used in acute cases to ease pain and promote faster healing.
• In Ayurvedic Medicine ginger is considered beneficial for virtually any health condition because of its antioxidant and circulatory benefits.  It warms the body and calms the central nervous system helping to relieve pain and nausea. 

More Helpful Tips

• Unless you are bedridden, spend time outdoors in the fresh air.  The Earth is continuously emitting a healing ionic field.  Breathing deeply in the open air has great health benefits.
• Pay attention to those things that cause even subtle nervous tension – the EMF exposure from online and cell phone activity, for example.  Relaxing music, a good book, or watching a funny rerun a safe distance from your TV screen are safer distractions.
• Keeping a journal can also be helpful for pain management.  Simply venting your feelings on paper can ease tension without any collateral damage.  It will also help you identify improvements on the healing journey. 

Gradual changes in diet and supplement routine can bring about positive changes for your nervous system, and overall well-being. Good health by design!

*Revised February 2023