Numbness, Tingling, and Burning: How Acupuncture Can Help Neuropathy Naturally

If you’ve ever felt pins and needles in your feet, a burning sensation in your hands, or numbness that seems to come and go, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. These symptoms are often signs of neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves and can deeply impact daily life.

From walking to buttoning a shirt to sleeping through the night, neuropathy can make even simple tasks uncomfortable or painful. While conventional treatments may focus on medications, many people are turning to acupuncture for a natural and effective approach to managing nerve pain.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy, short for peripheral neuropathy, refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for sending signals between the brain/spinal cord and the rest of the body.

This damage can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including:

• Numbness or reduced sensation

• Burning, tingling, or pins-and-needles feelings

• Sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain

• Weakness in the arms, legs, hands, or feet

• Sensitivity to touch or temperature

• Difficulty with balance or coordination

  
  

What Causes Neuropathy?

There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy, including:

• Diabetes (the most common cause in the U.S.)

• Chemotherapy-induced nerve damage

• Autoimmune conditions (e.g., lupus, RA)

• Alcohol abuse or poor nutrition

• Injuries or nerve compression

• Infections (like shingles or Lyme disease)

• Idiopathic (meaning no known cause)

  
  

Some people experience neuropathy in just one area, while others may feel it in multiple limbs. It can be constant or intermittent, mild or severe—and often worsens over time if left untreated.

How Does Acupuncture Help Neuropathy?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), neuropathy is often considered a result of Qi and Blood stagnation, dampness, or deficiency of Liver and Kidney energy, depending on the root cause and symptoms.

Acupuncture helps by:

Improving circulation and oxygen flow

Increased blood flow to the affected nerves helps reduce inflammation and nourish damaged tissue.

Stimulating nerve repair

Acupuncture can promote nerve regeneration and reduce the firing of pain signals in hypersensitive nerves.

Reducing inflammation

Many cases of neuropathy involve local or systemic inflammation. Acupuncture helps calm the nervous system and reduce swelling.

Balancing the nervous system

Acupuncture regulates both the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches of the nervous system, calming nerve overactivity and reducing pain sensitivity.

Supporting whole-body healing

TCM always treats the root of the issue. If your neuropathy is related to diabetes, chemo, stress, or chronic illness, your treatment will also support immune function, blood sugar regulation, and energy levels.

What Does a Typical Acupuncture Plan for Neuropathy Look Like?

Every treatment is customized, but a typical plan includes:

• Weekly sessions for 6–12 weeks, then tapering as symptoms improve

• Focused acupuncture points on the hands, feet, and along the affected nerves

• Use of electroacupuncture (gentle electrical stimulation) to enhance nerve signaling

• Optional herbal medicine to reduce inflammation, nourish blood, and support nerve repair

• Lifestyle and diet guidance based on TCM diagnosis

  
  

Many patients begin to feel gradual improvement within a few sessions, especially in circulation, pain, and overall nerve sensitivity. For chronic or long-standing neuropathy, consistent treatment over time brings the best results.

Neuropathy Doesn’t Have to Be Permanent

If you’ve been told your nerve pain is “just something you have to live with,” acupuncture offers another option. TCM sees your body as capable of healing—with the right stimulation, nourishment, and balance.

Whether your neuropathy is mild or severe, recent or long-standing, acupuncture can help:

• Relieve pain

• Restore sensation

• Improve mobility

• Support nerve healing at the root

You don’t have to wait for your nerves to “just get better on their own.” Acupuncture is safe, drug-free, and research-backed—and it can make a real difference in your daily comfort and quality of life.

Book your acupuncture session today → Here