What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a medical term and diagnosis describing disorders of nerves generally in the peripheral nervous system. While the cranial nerves may sometimes be included, it is usually synonymous with peripheral neuropathy and is usually associated with diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy is defined as abnormal function and /or structure of peripheral motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons, involving either the entire or selected levels or sections causing many symptoms. One or more types of nerved may be affected. This can result in sensory nerve alterations such as pain, numbness, burning, tingling, hot, cold, pis and needles, itching, or any altered sensation sometimes giving a “stocking and or glove” feeling. Motor nerve dysfunction such as weakness, spasms, or cramping of the muscles, fasciculations (twitching), and muscle wasting can occur. Resulting loss of balance and coordination may occur.

What causes neuropathy?

Aside from diabetes, it can be caused by (add IN) nerve root compression, Stenosis, Disc herniation as well as other metabolic conditions, herpes zoster infection, HIV-related infection, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, genetic and immune disorders. Neuropathic pain can be a result of cancer that can cause a direct compression of the tumor on the nerves, or as a result of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Compression of the nerves existing the spine, disc compression, and entrapment syndromes can cause neuropathies.

How is neuropathy treated?

Medical treatment is usually geared towards covering the symptoms with antidepressants, lyrica, gabapentine, opioid analgesics, tramadol, and botox. Surgery may be used to relieve nerve pressure with entrapment and compression syndromes. Alternative Treatments and Therapy Different types of therapy, vitamin supplements, and chiropractic often help. Alternative/ Complimentary Care: I treat neuropathies with a combination of:

1) Chiropractic to relieve the pressure off of painful, irritated nerves, and reduce the possibility of nerve compression syndromes;
2) Anodyne Infrared Therapy to increase the circulation blood supply, oxygen, and metabolites needed in nerve healing and regeneration, and
3) Vitamin supplements to support increased increased circulation and nerve regeneration. Vitamins considered include L-arginine, Apha Lipoic Acid, High “B”compex, Omega-3’s, L- Glutamine as well as supplements to support a healthy blood sugar levels in indicated.