Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Will Magnesium Conquer Nerve Pain?

One reader found that magnesium supplements reduced the numbness and nerve pain that resulted from a reaction to strong antibiotics.

It is a shame that nutrition is so often overlooked as a topic in medical school. Aspiring doctors need to learn a lot of information, and generally there is a feeling that nutrition is not as critical as some of the other topics. But the consequence may be that health care providers don’t fully realize the importance of minerals like magnesium and what they might do for nerve pain.

Nerve Pain as an Adverse Reaction to Antibiotics:

Q. I never realized the importance of magnesium until I was hospitalized and got a dreadful Staph infection. Antibiotics stopped it, but they left me with peripheral neuropathy and loss of equilibrium. I also lost all sense of touch to my skin from the knee down, and I developed an irregular heartbeat (a-fib).

One day I read that magnesium deficiency could affect peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain or numbness). I bought some supplements and started taking them. To my surprise, I was able to feel my hand touch my legs and feet for the first time in eight years. I have continued taking magnesium and have had no more numbness in my legs and feet.

Magnesium for Nerve Pain:

A. There is relatively little research on the impact of this essential mineral for easing nerve pain due to damaged peripheral nerves. A few small studies have shown benefit (Journal of Family Practice, Aug. 2015).  An animal model suggests that magnesium supplementation may reduce pain from diabetic neuropathy and restore sensation (Journal of Physiology, Nov. 1, 2010).  Of course, it is quite a jump from rats to humans, so it is not proof that the mineral will ease neuropathy in other people like you. How fortunate that you benefited, however.

Hazards of Magnesium:

Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea. Anyone with reduced kidney function should avoid extra magnesium. It would be smart to discuss this supplement with your primary care provider to make sure there are no interactions with medications you might be taking.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.4- 102 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.