Neuropathy

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating condition that affects the peripheral nerves—those outside the brain and spinal cord—often in the hands, feet, legs, and arms. It is a frustrating disorder that can significantly impair quality of life, but it’s frequently overlooked until it becomes difficult to treat effectively.

Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by nerve damage that leads to symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and a sensation often described as “pins and needles.” While it can be caused by conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, it can also occur without a clear cause, known as idiopathic neuropathy.

Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Several factors can contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy, including:

• Vitamin Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins, especially B12, can damage nerves.
• Injury: Physical trauma to nerves from accidents or repetitive stress.
• Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, can lead to nerve damage.
• Idiopathic Causes: In many cases, the exact cause is unknown, but the condition still presents debilitating symptoms.

The good news is that even for those suffering from idiopathic neuropathy, recent advances in treatment offer hope for relief and recovery.

Conventional Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

Many people with peripheral neuropathy turn to prescription medications like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Neurontin, or Cymbalta to alleviate their symptoms. While these medications may provide temporary pain relief, they often interact with all nerves, masking the pain without addressing the root cause of the condition. In many cases, these drugs don’t provide a long-term solution or help improve the underlying health issues contributing to the neuropathy.

While medications may play a role in managing symptoms, there are more effective, non-invasive alternatives that can address the root causes of neuropathy and provide lasting relief.

Chiropractic Care for Peripheral Neuropathy

Chiropractic care is an increasingly popular, non-invasive approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. By focusing on improving nerve function and spinal alignment, chiropractic treatments can help reduce the symptoms of neuropathy, including pain, tingling, and muscle weakness.

Chiropractic care for peripheral neuropathy typically involves spinal adjustments and physical therapy techniques that target the affected areas. Many patients experience significant improvement after a few sessions, with reduced pain and improved functionality in their extremities.

How Chiropractic Care Works to Relieve Peripheral Neuropathy

Chiropractors take a holistic approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. Rather than just masking symptoms, chiropractic care focuses on identifying the root causes of the pain and addressing them through targeted treatments:

• Spinal Adjustments: Misalignments in the spine can contribute to nerve compression and impaired function. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper spinal alignment, alleviating pressure on the nerves and improving communication between the brain and the body.

• Physical Therapy: Chiropractors may use therapeutic exercises to improve circulation and reduce muscle weakness, which helps in reducing symptoms of neuropathy.

• Neurological Re-education: For patients with nerve damage, chiropractic care can aid in re-establishing proper nerve function, helping the body heal itself.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Peripheral Neuropathy

Patients who receive chiropractic care for peripheral neuropathy often report improvements in a range of symptoms. Some of the key benefits include:

• Significant Pain Reduction: Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce nerve pain and alleviate discomfort from numbness or tingling.
• Improved Mobility: Regular chiropractic treatment can help restore range of motion and function, improving daily activities.
• Reduced Medication Use: By addressing the underlying causes of neuropathy, chiropractic care can reduce the need for pain medications.
• Increased Overall Well-being: Many patients experience improvements in sleep, mood, and quality of life as a result of chiropractic treatments.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary in intensity but typically include:

• Burning pain
• Sensitive skin
• Cramping
• Tingling or prickly sensations
• Leg or foot pain
• Electrical shock-like pain
• Increased risk of falling
• Muscle weakness
• Pain or muscle cramping that disrupts sleep
• Impaired balance
• Numbness and pain in the hands or feet

While the initial symptoms are often mild, they tend to worsen over time and may spread from the toes to the feet, legs, and even the hands.

Take Action to Find Relief

If you or someone you know is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, chiropractic care can be an effective, non-invasive treatment option. By focusing on the root causes of nerve damage, chiropractic care offers relief and the potential for long-term improvement in quality of life.

Contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation with a chiropractor and begin your journey toward relief from peripheral neuropathy.