Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Your doctor may prescribe this therapy, which may help prevent pain signals from reaching your brain.  TENS delivers tiny electrical impulses to specific nerve pathways through small electrodes placed on your skin.  Although safe and painless, TENS doesn’t work for everyone or for all types of pain.

Biofeedback. This therapy uses a special machine to teach you how to control certain body responses that reduce pain.  You then learn how to control these same responses yourself.  Biofeedback techniques are often taught in medical centers and hospitals.

Acupuncture. The National Institutes of Health has found that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for chronic pain, possibly including the pain of neuropathy.  Keep in mind that you may not get immediate relief with acupuncture and may require more than one session.

Hypnosis. Many adults can be hypnotized by a trained professional, but for hypnosis to be most effective, you also have to be a willing and motivated participant.  During hypnosis, you’ll typically receive suggestions intended to decrease your perception of pain.

Relaxation techniques. Designed to help reduce the muscle tension that makes pain worse, relaxation techniques range from deep-breathing exercises to visualization (imagining yourself floating in a tropical ocean, for example), yoga and meditation.   You might want to take classes in one or more of these techniques, or you can learn them yourself using books or tapes.