Therapeutic options for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a hereditary peripheral nerve disorder, are limited and require professional supervision. Many internists and neurologists do not discuss complementary therapy options during routine visits, which can make finding a good fit challenging. Occupational therapists (OTs) can help patients explore additional therapies and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to coordinate care.

General Self-Care

Basic lifestyle habits can make a meaningful difference for people managing CMT. If you smoke, stopping can help, as smoking affects circulation. Ask your doctor about an appropriate exercise plan. Massage, whether self-administered or performed by someone else, can improve circulation and may help with pain. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet also supports overall nerve health.

Yoga and Meditation

Living with CMT can place significant physical and emotional stress on the body and may increase the risk of depression and other psychological challenges. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, increase susceptibility to infection, slow wound healing, and may accelerate damage to the nervous system. Meditation and yoga may help reduce stress and support the management of neuropathy symptoms.

Benefits of Yoga

  • Inverted postures (head below heart level) can increase blood circulation and support the lymphatic system
  • Builds strength and muscle tone
  • Supports energy and overall health
  • Improves coordination, flexibility, and the ability to relax

Breathwork (Pranayama)

In yoga, focused breathing is called pranayama. It is one of the few bodily processes that can be both consciously controlled and carried out automatically. Concentrating on the breath helps quiet external distractions. A long, deliberate inhale held for a moment can reveal areas of tension and create an opportunity to release them.

Shallow or chest breathing can restrict the chest and lung tissue over time, reducing the delivery of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Deep, rhythmic breathing expands the diaphragm, opens the lungs’ air pockets, activates the relaxation response, and supports the lymphatic system.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture, a practice from traditional Chinese medicine, may offer a way to help manage peripheral neuropathy. It uses specific pressure points throughout the body with the goal of restoring balance to the body’s energy, referred to as qi. Some people with CMT use acupuncture alongside conventional care to help ease pain, though individual results vary.

Tai chi, a slow, deliberate movement practice similar in some respects to yoga, may help support body-mind alignment, promote relaxation, and provide some distraction from pain, even if the relief is temporary.

For more information on living with CMT and available resources, visit our patient resources page.