Neuropathy in Australia
Peripheral neuropathy causes numbness, tingling, burning pain and poor balance, usually starting in the feet. Diabetes is the leading cause in Australia. Diabetes Australia and the National Diabetes Services Scheme provide resources on foot care and nerve damage.
People searching for neuropathy treatment in Australia have often tried several nerve-pain medicines and are looking for something more. It is important to separate what is proven from what is still being researched.
Conventional care first
- Diagnosis: your GP can check HbA1c, B12, folate, thyroid, kidney and liver function. A neurologist may arrange nerve conduction studies.
- Treat the cause: improving glucose control, correcting B12 deficiency, reducing alcohol and reviewing medicines.
- Nerve pain medicines: options such as amitriptyline, duloxetine, pregabalin or gabapentin, chosen with your doctor.
- Foot protection: daily foot checks, good footwear and regular podiatry. Medicare rebates for podiatry may be available under a chronic disease management plan.
- Balance and strength exercise to reduce falls.
What regenerative research shows
Scientists are studying cell therapies, growth factors and other approaches that might support nerve repair or blood supply to nerves. Most evidence is from animal studies and small early-phase human studies. There is no proven stem cell therapy for neuropathy, and cell treatments are restricted in Australia under TGA rules.
Some patients are interested in supportive approaches such as NAD+ IV therapy and metabolic optimisation; these are also unproven for neuropathy. Read our neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy guides.
Who may be considered — and who should not
May be considered: confirmed neuropathy with a known, managed cause, persistent symptoms despite standard care, and realistic expectations.
Not suitable: undiagnosed or rapidly progressing neuropathy (needs urgent neurological assessment), foot ulcers or infection, poorly controlled diabetes, active cancer, pregnancy.
Risks
Injections and IV treatments can cause bruising, infection, vein irritation or allergic reactions. Numb feet are vulnerable to unnoticed blisters and cuts while travelling. The main risk is time and money spent on a treatment that may not help.
Travelling from Australia with neuropathy
Flights from Sydney or Melbourne take about 9 hours; Perth about 7. Wear well-fitting shoes and socks, check your feet after the flight and every evening in Bangkok, avoid walking barefoot by pools, and carry diabetes medicines in your hand luggage with a GP letter. Heat and long walks increase blister risk. Australians have generally been able to enter Thailand visa-exempt for short stays; check the Thai e-Visa site. See the Australia guide.
What to send us
- Recent blood tests (HbA1c, B12, thyroid, kidney function)
- Nerve conduction study report, if done
- Specialist letters and current medicines
Send them on WhatsApp for a free doctor review. If more tests are needed, we will tell you.
Questions to ask your Australian care team first
Before exploring any experimental option, check that the essentials have been covered:
- Has the cause been identified, and has vitamin B12 been checked — particularly if you take metformin or acid-reducing medicines?
- Is your diabetes well controlled, and is your diabetes educator involved?
- Have you had a foot risk assessment, and do you see a podiatrist regularly?
- Have nerve conduction studies been done if the diagnosis is uncertain?
- Are your nerve-pain medicines at an effective dose, with side effects managed?
A GP Chronic Disease Management plan can provide Medicare rebates for some allied health visits, such as podiatry and exercise physiology. These services are often more valuable than any single injection or infusion.
When you send your results to us, include as much of this information as you can. If something reversible has not been checked, our doctors will suggest doing that at home first. We would rather you avoid an unnecessary trip than travel for a treatment that cannot address the real cause.
Follow-up at home
Your GP, diabetes educator and podiatrist remain central to your care. Share your treatment summary and send updates on WhatsApp. See how it works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of neuropathy in Australia?
Diabetes. Other causes include alcohol, vitamin B12 deficiency, chemotherapy, kidney disease, thyroid problems and some inherited conditions.
Can neuropathy be reversed?
If the cause is treatable, such as B12 deficiency, symptoms may improve. Long-standing diabetic neuropathy usually cannot be reversed, but progression can be slowed.
Do stem cells work for neuropathy?
There is no proven stem cell treatment for neuropathy. Research is mostly in animals and small early human studies.
How often should people with diabetes have foot checks?
At least once a year, and more often if you have neuropathy or other risk factors. Your GP or podiatrist can arrange this.
How much does neuropathy treatment in Bangkok cost?
It depends on your diagnosis and program. Send your test results on WhatsApp for a personalised program.
Can exercise help neuropathy?
Yes. Balance and strength exercise reduce fall risk, and regular activity helps blood glucose control in diabetes. An exercise physiologist can design a safe program.
Do vitamin supplements help neuropathy?
Vitamin B12 helps when you are deficient. Taking supplements without a deficiency has limited evidence, and very high doses of vitamin B6 can actually cause neuropathy.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor. Results vary and no treatment outcome can be guaranteed. We are a patient coordination service and may receive a referral fee from partner medical providers. See our medical disclaimer and referral disclosure.