Are You Suffering from These Symptoms of Neuropathy?

If you have peripheral neuropathy, you definitely know that something is wrong. Your fingers or toes may be numb or tingly. It may happen constantly or only intermittently.

Neuropathy typically happens when you have diabetes, although it can happen for other reasons, too. Neuropathy occurs when the nerves become damaged, which usually isn’t reversible, although you can find ways to cope with it. The providers at Florida Pain Management Institute explain more about the symptoms of neuropathy.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy, also sometimes called peripheral neuropathy, is not a single condition but a collection of symptoms that include damage to the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves are primarily in your hands and feet but can include other nerves as well.

The peripheral nerves connect your spinal cord to other parts of your body, sending signals to them. But when you have neuropathy, these signals get disrupted. These disrupted signals may cause a variety of symptoms. 

Peripheral neuropathy is most commonly caused by diabetes, but other conditions and medications can also cause it, including:

• Trauma
• Infections
• Sciatica
• Spinal injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Toxic exposures
• Vitamin deficiency
• Autoimmune conditions
• Chemotherapy

Neuropathy is irreversible, but you can do some things to prevent it with lifestyle changes.

Some of the symptoms of neuropathy

Neuropathy is unquestionably uncomfortable and can disrupt your ability to function normally. Symptoms of neuropathy may include:

• Gradual onset of numbness of your hands and feet, which can include prickling and tingling, and may even spread into your arms
• Muscle weakness
• Sharp, throbbing, or burning pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Feeling pain when you shouldn’t, such as pain in your feet when they’re under a blanket
• Lack of coordination or falling
• Feeling as if you’re wearing gloves or socks when you aren’t
• Paralysis if your motor nerves are affected

How we test for neuropathy

Neuropathy is one of the conditions that we can treat using holistic methods. 

One of the first things we’ll do when you schedule a consultation about neuropathy is to perform a comprehensive physical exam. This will include an assessment of your reflexes and other aspects of nerve response.

You may also go through several other tests to determine the extent of your neuropathy. We may use imaging tests, such as digital X-rays, ultrasound, or surface electromyography (a test that measures your nerve functions.) These are used to determine the cause of your symptoms, including the amount of damage to your spinal cord and connective tissues.

How we treat neuropathy

Once we have determined that you do have neuropathy, your provider will design an individualized treatment plan. Your treatment plan may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Exercise routines
• Physical therapy
• Dietary changes
• Trigger point therapy
• Massage therapy

Your provider may also recommend regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy, to promote the growth of healthy nerve tissue.

It’s important to make an appointment for a consultation immediately if you suspect that you have neuropathy. This is a condition that doesn’t ever get better on its own, so the sooner you take action, the better.

Although neuropathy doesn’t get better on its own, you can stop some of the symptoms from happening. You can stop yourself from getting worse in the future. If you would like to seek help for your neuropathy, contact us at one of our three locations in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, or Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, or request an appointment online.