Can a Chiropractor Help with Peripheral Neuropathy Pain?

By: Dr. Nicholas Toumazos April 5, 2024

Yes, chiropractic care can provide relief for peripheral neuropathy pain. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged, leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning sensations, often in the hands and feet. These unpleasant symptoms can significantly impact daily life. Chiropractic offers a safe, drug-free approach to managing neuropathy pain by reducing pressure on affected nerves through spinal adjustments and other techniques. This natural treatment can complement other therapies and lifestyle changes for a holistic neuropathy management plan.

Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy: Causes and Symptoms

An illustration depicting a person sitting with a pained expression and thought bubbles showing nerve pain symptoms, suggesting they may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy and considering seeking chiropractic treatment for relief.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged. These nerves, known as peripheral nerves, carry signals between the body and the brain, allowing us to feel sensations like touch, pain, and temperature. When these nerves are damaged, it can lead to a range of symptoms that can significantly impact a person’s daily life.

Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

The causes of numbness and tingling in your hands and feet can be from different things. Sometimes it happens because of other health problems you have. Diabetes is a big cause because high blood sugar can damage nerves over time. Other medical issues like kidney disease, alcoholism or HIV/AIDS may also lead to nerve problems. Some medicines can cause it as a side effect. Genetics might play a role too if your family has a history of it. Injuries or repetitive motions from jobs and hobbies could potentially harm nerves as well. No matter the reason, seeing your doctor is important to find out what’s going on and get the right treatment.

  • Diabetes: One of the most common causes of neuropathy, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves over time.
  • Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause the body’s immune system to attack and damage the nerves.
  • Toxin exposure: Certain toxins, such as those found in some industrial chemicals or chemotherapy drugs, can be harmful to nerve cells.
  • Nutrient deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin B12, can lead to nerve damage.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary depending on the type of nerves affected and the underlying cause. Some common symptoms include numbness or tingling in your hands and feet. It feels strange or uncomfortable. The nerves have trouble sending signals to your brain. You may also feel sharp, burning, or shooting pains. Sometimes the area feels like it’s asleep. You could have trouble telling hot from cold. Your balance might be off or you trip easily. You may have problems with coordination when you walk. Weakness in the legs is another symptom.

  • Numbness and tingling: Often starting in the hands or feet, these sensations can spread to other parts of the body.
  • Burning or shooting pain: Some people experience intense, sharp pains that can be debilitating.
  • Weakness: Muscle weakness or atrophy can occur, making it difficult to perform daily tasks.
  • Sensitivity to touch: Even light touches can be painful for those with neuropathy.

Living with peripheral neuropathy can be challenging, as it can impact a person’s ability to work, engage in physical activities, and enjoy a good quality of life. The symptoms of neuropathy can make it hard to do things you like. It’s important to see the doctor if your nerves feel funny. They can help figure out what’s wrong and find ways to help you feel better. Don’t wait to get help - the doctor can do tests to see why your nerves are acting up. There might be medicine or things you can do that could make the symptoms not bother you as much. Feeling better means you can keep doing your regular activities without the nerves getting in the way.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Peripheral Neuropathy Pain?

An illustration depicting a person suffering from neuropathic pain, with text asking if a chiropractor can help relieve peripheral neuropathy pain.

The treatment aims to relieve nerve pressure in your body. Chiropractors believe this can help with neuropathy symptoms. Some patients say it lessens their numbness, tingling, and pain. However, more research is still needed. Not all doctors agree it works. But many chiropractors and those who try it feel there can be benefits. It is non-invasive and has little risk. You may find it provides comfort if other methods have not. But always check with your regular doctor before trying new treatments. Focus first on proven therapies but keep an open mind if this could offer extra relief.

The theory behind this approach is that misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can put pressure on the nerves and interfere with their function. You feel better now after seeing the chiropractor. The visits help reduce pressure on your nerves. This can help the signals work better between your brain and body. When this happens, it may lessen the odd numbness and tingles you feel. The doctor carefully moves your back to its proper spot. This loosens up any places that got squished together. Now everything can flow easier. Your visits aim to keep your whole system communicating well. With less pressure, your nerves may not hurt as much. You feel relieved that there could be a natural way to ease the strange sensations.

The effects of chiropractic care for nerve pain are still unclear. Doctors do not all agree if it works. Some people say they feel better after seeing a chiropractor for their numbness or tingling. But there are not many studies to prove it helps on its own. You may notice changes, or you may not. More research is needed to know for certain if back adjustments can truly treat damaged nerves by themselves. We know it helps some, but large tests are still required to show if it helps many. For now, it is uncertain if chiropractic methods alone can ease neuropathy symptoms over the long run.

You’ll want to talk to your regular doctor or nerve doctor first before trying chiropractic care for numbness and tingling in your hands and feet. They can look at what’s causing your problem, and come up with the best plan for helping you feel better. Sometimes chiropractic visits might be part of that plan along with other things, like medicine or exercises. Your doctors will work with the chiropractor to make sure all the treatments work together to get your nerves healthy again. Listening to the experts will help you understand all your options.

How Chiropractic Care Addresses Peripheral Neuropathy

An illustration of a person sitting on a chair, appearing pensive and holding their arm, with thought bubbles depicting medical symbols and a leaf icon representing natural remedies, surrounded by potted plants and medication bottles.

Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for carrying signals to and from the body, allowing us to feel sensations like pain, temperature, and touch.

You feel different sensations all over your body. Nerves in your skin let you feel if something is hot or cold. They also let you feel if something hurts. The nerves send messages to your brain about what they feel. If the nerves in your arms and legs get hurt or don’t work right, it can cause problems. Your skin might feel funny or hurt. You might not be able to feel things as well. Or your muscles could get weak. All this happens because the nerves that are supposed to send messages aren’t working like they should.

The Role of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who focus on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They believe that misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system, leading to various health issues, including neuropathy.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Nerve Function

The doctor works with your back and neck. They carefully move your bones back into place. This helps the nerves not be squeezed. When the nerves have more room, they can work better. That may help how your hands and feet feel. The doctor is very gentle when moving your bones. They want you to feel better, not worse. Let them know if anything hurts. They will be very careful with you. It is okay to ask questions too. Together you can make a plan to help with your nerve problems.

Additional Chiropractic Techniques

You learn about other ways chiropractors help with numbness and tingling. They use different methods besides spine adjustments. Chiropractors try different things to help handle peripheral neuropathy. Some techniques are stretches and exercises. Heat or ice therapy could also help reduce pain. Lifestyle changes may aid the condition too. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, and eating healthy foods are important. Chiropractors know activities that irritate symptoms to avoid. Together with patients, they make a treatment plan for relief. The goal is feeling better through natural healthcare.

  • Massage therapy: Targeted massage can improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation, which can indirectly benefit nerve function.
  • Exercise and stretching: Specific exercises and stretches can help maintain mobility, reduce inflammation, and improve overall body function, potentially reducing the impact of neuropathy.
  • Nutritional counseling: Proper nutrition is essential for nerve health, and chiropractors may provide guidance on dietary changes that can support nerve function and healing.

A Comprehensive Approach

The chiropractor helps in many ways. They work with other doctors and therapists to create a treatment plan just for you. Your needs are different than other people with this problem. The plan uses chiropractic care along with other types of treatment. All the professionals talk to make sure everything works together. The goal is to help manage your condition the best way possible. No two people are the same, so your plan is customized for you. The chiropractor, doctors, and therapists want you to feel better.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it’s best to talk to a trained chiropractor to see if chiropractic care could help you. Let me tell you more about how seeing a chiropractor may help.

A chiropractor will check your back and neck to see if any areas are out of place. When bones in your spine shift from where they should be, it can pinch nerves. This can cause numbness or tingling in your hands and feet. The chiropractor wants your spine bones in the right spot so your nerves work properly. You might feel better after an adjustment that moves your bones back. The chiropractor also gives tips for stretches and exercises to keep your back and neck feeling good. Seeing a chiropractor regularly could reduce your symptoms over time. Your hands and feet may have more feeling like before. You’d have an easier time doing everyday things. A chiropractor tries to find the cause of your trouble and help your whole body feel its best.

Complementary Therapies and Lifestyle Changes

An illustration depicting two figures with blue-tinted skin showing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy like numbness and tingling, along with a list of potential causes such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and others.

The Holistic Approach to Neuropathy Management

When it comes to managing the symptoms of neuropathy, a holistic approach that combines usual treatments with extra therapies and changes to your daily life can really help. Neuropathy is something that affects the nerves, often causing pain, no feeling, tingling, and weakness in different parts of the body. While pills and other regular treatments can assist reducing these symptoms, adding extra therapies and making adjustments to your daily life can further improve how you deal with neuropathy overall.

Complementary Therapies for Pain Relief

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice, has been shown to provide relief for neuropathy pain. By strategically inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, acupuncture can help regulate the flow of energy and promote healing. Yoga and mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can also be valuable tools in managing neuropathy pain. These practices can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can have a positive impact on pain perception and overall well-being.

The Power of Nutrition for Nerve Health

Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy nerves and preventing further nerve damage. Eating the right foods can help your nerves. Foods with B vitamins, like whole grains, leafy greens, and lean meats, support how your nerves work. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds can also help. They reduce swelling and pain in your nerves. This swelling and pain is what causes neuropathy. Omega-3s can heal nerves, too. You get omega-3s by eating salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds. B vitamins in whole wheat pasta, spinach, and chicken also keep your nerves running smoothly. Eat these foods to feel better and protect your nerves.

Lifestyle Changes for Neuropathy Management

Making changes to how you live can really help with dealing with neuropathy. Staying at a good weight and being active a lot will improve how blood flows and take pressure off nerves. It’s also super important to keep your blood sugar in control, since diabetes that’s not watched is a big cause for neuropathy. Also, don’t touch things that could harm you, like heavy metals and some chemicals, to avoid hurting nerves even more.

You want to create a plan with your doctors. Talking to them can help make a plan just for you. The plan should focus on how you feel each day. It needs to work with your life. Some things in the plan could help your nerves. Other things may help how much pain you have. Always check with the professionals first before changing anything. They know your body best and want you to feel better. Together you can find what works for managing your condition.

Real-Life Success Stories: Patients Find Relief with Chiropractic Care

Real-Life Success Stories: Patients Find Relief with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic Care Helps Patients Manage Neuropathy Pain

For many patients suffering from neuropathy, the constant pain and discomfort can be debilitating, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being. Chiropractic care helps many people with neuropathy feel better. The doctor moves and aligns the back and neck bones by hand. This seems to lessen the pain for some. You may notice less discomfort or soreness after visits. The care aims to boost how the nerves work in the arms, legs, and other areas. Some patients say it improves their mobility and mood. They can do more activities and enjoy life more. Chiropractic is a choice that works for neuropathy symptoms in many cases.

One such success story is that of Sarah, a 45-year-old woman who had been struggling with neuropathy for years. “The pain in my legs and feet was excruciating,” she recalls. “It felt like a constant burning sensation, making it difficult to walk or even stand for long periods.” After trying various medications with limited success, Sarah decided to seek chiropractic treatment.

You decide to try chiropractic treatment after other medicines did not help much with the pain in your legs and feet. Sarah had been dealing with the burning feeling for a long time. Nothing really made it better. So she thought seeing a chiropractor may help. The medicines only helped a little bit with the excruciating pain. It was hard to walk or stand up for a long time because of the constant burning. She wanted to find something to make the pain go away.

Under the care of a skilled chiropractor, Sarah underwent a series of spinal adjustments and complementary therapies. “The doctor helped fix my back and also gave me stretches and diet tips,” she explains. Now the new version:

You notice changes in your symptoms over time. At first, the pain is still there quite a bit. But slowly it starts to get better. You can do more things without it bothering you as much. The doctor is helping your back feel better. Soon you don’t need to take your medicine as much. The fixes to your spine are working along with the other things the doctor said to do. Each week you feel a little more like your old self.

Improved Quality of Life with Chiropractic Care

John, a 62-year-old retired teacher, had a similar experience. “Neuropathy had taken a toll on my life,” he shares. “Simple tasks like gardening or playing with my grandchildren became a struggle due to the pain and numbness in my hands and feet.” After trying various conventional treatments with little relief, John decided to give chiropractic care a chance.

You understand what John dealt with. The trouble in his hands and feet made normal things hard. He tried some things doctors said to help, but it did not work well. John wanted to feel better doing things with his family. So he thought to try seeing the bone doctor instead. Maybe that could make the pain and no feeling go away. John hoped this would let him enjoy time with his grandkids in the garden once more.

Through a combination of spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and lifestyle modifications recommended by his chiropractor, John slowly regained sensation and mobility in his extremities. “It’s been life-changing,” he exclaims.

You find yourself enjoying activities once again without limitations. The treatments helped get feeling back in your arms and legs. Before, things like playing catch with friends or going for a walk were hard or not possible. Now you can do more and be active like you want. It feels great to not have that numbness and pain holding you back. You’re thankful for what the chiropractor did to help make you better.

The symptoms of neuropathy vary a lot between people. It depends on which nerves are affected and how badly. Some common signs include numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. The pain can be sharp or burning. It may feel like pins and needles. Trouble with balance is another symptom. You might have problems with daily activities too, like buttoning clothes, writing, or walking. Neuropathy makes it hard to feel sensations like temperature or pressure as well. The condition has no cure, but chiropractic care could help relieve your pain.

You need to know that chiropractic care is not the same for everyone. The doctor will make a plan for what is best for your problem. However, for many people with nerve pain, getting chiropractic care as part of all the things they do to feel better has helped a lot. It has helped them feel relief and get their life back. The doctor will gently move and adjust your back and neck bones to help your nerves work right again. This lets your body heal itself better. Make sure to talk to your doctor about if chiropractic care could help you too. Don’t forget to do the exercises they give you at home as well. Together these things may reduce your pain over time so you feel like yourself again.

Unlock Lasting Relief from Neuropathy Pain

You’ve heard about peripheral neuropathy and how it can affect people. The nerves don’t work right and it causes pain or numbness. As a chiropractor, I’ve seen how chiropractic care can help. When the back and neck are adjusted, it takes pressure off the nerves. Massage and a whole body approach also make a difference. My patients feel much better. Their quality of life comes back. Taking that first step could help you too. Come in for a talk about what we can do. We’ll work on the cause of the nerve problem. I want to get your nerves healthy again. That way, you can enjoy life without the pain holding you back. A consultation is the place to start on that journey.

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