PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Don’t Walk on Pins and Needles! You Have a
Choice!
ARTICLE SELECTIONS:
- INTRODUCTION
- WHAT IS PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY?
- CAUSES
- WHO IS AT RISK
- TRADITONAL TREATMENTS
- WHY TRY PHYSICAL THERAPY
FIRST
- PATIENT COMMENTS
- DOCTOR’S COMMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe disorders of your
peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system includes
nerves in your face, arms, legs, torso, and some nerves in your
skull. In fact, all of your nerves not located in your central
nervous system — which includes the brain and the spinal cord — are
peripheral nerves.
WHAT IS PERIPHERAL
NEUROPATHY?
Peripheral neuropathy isn't a single disease, but rather a syndrome
with many causes. Peripheral neuropathy is a degenerative state of
the peripheral nerves in which motor, sensory, or vasomotor nerve
fibers may be affected and which is marked by muscle weakness and
atrophy, pain, and numbness. Your peripheral nerves provide
communication between your brain and your muscles, skin, internal
organs and blood vessels. When damaged, your nerves can’t
communicate properly, and that miscommunication causes symptoms
previously stated. Damage to a peripheral nerve can interfere with
the communication between the area it serves and your brain,
affecting your ability to move certain muscles or feel normal
sensations.
CAUSES
Unfortunately, peripheral nerves are fragile and easily
damaged.
A number of factors can cause neuropathies. When a single nerve is
affected, the most likely cause is trauma or some type of
repetitive use that puts pressure on the nerve. Nerve pressure can
result from using a cast or crutches, spending a long time in an
unnatural position — such as typing at a computer keyboard — or
having a tumor or abnormal bone growth. When damage occurs to
several nerves, the cause frequently is diabetes. At least half of
all people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. Other
common causes include alcoholism, HIV/AIDS, inherited disorders,
amyloidosis and a deficiency of certain vitamins, especially B
vitamins.
WHO IS AT RISK
Peripheral neuropathy often affects people with diabetes and
autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Certain
vitamin deficiencies, some medications and alcoholism can also
damage peripheral nerves.
TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS
The goal of treatment is to manage the underlying condition causing
your neuropathy and repair damage, as well as provide relief for
the symptoms.
Controlling a chronic condition may not eliminate
your neuropathy, but it can play a key role in managing
it.
Treatment can involve more than one type. In some
cases the treatment may focus on managing pain with medications,
but most have side effects, especially if you take them for long
periods of time. Research aimed at finding more effective
treatments for peripheral neuropathy is ongoing. For example,
researchers are looking at developing nerve growth factors to
reproduce the chemicals that signal your body to repair small nerve
fivers. Unfortunately, no medications can repair nerve damage yet,
but the body can regenerate nerves if the offending substance is
removed. Doctors are looking at drug free treatments and techniques
to help with pain relief improvement.
WHY TRY PHYICAL THERAPY
FIRST
Physical Therapy should always be your first choice in health care.
It is non-invasive; drugs are not involved so patients experience no side effects, it
aligns with traditional medicine and gives your body the chance to
do what it was intended to do: heal itself. Physical Therapy also
brings about pain relief without pain medicines and their side
effects. Physical Therapy addresses and treats the underlying
causes of the conditions not just the symptoms. Peripheral
Neuropathy is a condition where there is damage to the nerves, this condition is not reversible but it can be treated to reduce
the effects and relieve the symptoms of the damage by strengthening the supporting muscles
and increase circulation which promotes healing and healthy tissue.
Pain is often the worst symptom of Peripheral Neuropathy. The
biggest advantage to Physical Therapy is that it helps reduce the
level of pain in these patients.
PATIENT
COMMENTS
I have juvenile diabetes for almost 50 years
now. I endure severe pain in my legs and feet due to
complication from this disease. Numerous procedures and
surgeries have been performed and proved me with temporary
relief. My podiatrist prescribed Physiocare and Anodyne
Therapy treatment for my condition. To be honest I didn’t
have a lot of hope, but after the third or fourth visit I actually
felt my feet move instead of only seeing them move. In two
weeks I was walking longer distances with less pain. Anodyne
Therapy is nothing short of a miracle (for Peripheral
Neuropathy). I thank the entire staff at Physiocare for
their care, concern and expertise. It was a wonderful
experience!
Jeanette P.
DOCTOR’S
COMMENTS
“Physiocare does excellent hands on physical
therapy and I recommend them without reservation.”
Irvine Mason, M.D., Diplomat – American Foard of Psychiatry & Neurology
“Physiocare rehabilitation has made a big difference in the
lives of my patients. Their staff is professional , warm and always
helpful in caring for their patients. I have never had a patient
who was not completely satisfied with the rehabilitation at
Physiocare.”
Michael D. Milstein, D.O. F.A.A.F.P., Internist
“My patients find that Physiocare provides
prompt and successful relief to their pains and stiffness. I send
most of my patients to Physiocare. I have found Physiocare to be
the best physical therapy center in town.”
Daniel I. Nuchovich, M.D.
“ Since referring my patients to Physiocare I
have found that for the first time my patients actually want to
return to their clinic for therapy treatment. Never before have I
seen so many of my patients complimenting a rehabilitation clinic.
The Physiocare team truly performs the best therapy and they
continually exceed my expectations.”
Irma V. Lopez, M.D. , Internist
Please read Medical Disclaimer.
References: Sources come from one
or more of the following articles and sites:
Medicinenet.com / mediregister.com /mediline.net /mediinfo.co.uk /
mhni.com /Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
/American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
/Medline plus.org
