Neuropathy–also called peripheral neuropathy–refers to any condition that affects the normal activity of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that connects the central nervous system–the brain and spinal cord–to the rest of the body.
The peripheral nervous system is made up of three types of nerves, each with an important role to play in keeping your body healthy and functioning properly.
- Sensory nerves carry messages from your senses through your spinal cord to your brain. For example, they tell your brain you are touching something hot.
- Motor nerves travel in the opposite direction. They carry messages from the brain to your muscles. They tell your muscles to move you away from the hot surface.
- Autonomic nerves are responsible for controlling body functions that occur outside our control, such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
In Other Words, What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Simply put, peripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Peripheral neuropathy means these nerves don’t work properly. Peripheral neuropathy may be damage to a single nerve. It may be damage to a nerve group. It may also affect nerves in the whole body.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
While every person’s experience with peripheral neuropathy can be as unique as the individual, there are some common neuropathy symptoms and signs.
At first, you may notice numbness, tingling, abnormal sensations, or pain in your feet. Some people feel like they have socks on, even though they are barefoot. Over time, this feeling spreads to your legs and hands.
You may find it harder and harder to walk. Your legs feel heavy. You have to drag yourself up the stairs. You find yourself losing your balance, not being exactly sure where your feet are; so, you stumble into things or fall. To keep your balance, you are likely to widen your way of walking, and your walking becomes less rhythmic or fluid.
In summary, the symptoms may include:
- A sensation of wearing an invisible “glove” or “sock”
- Burning sensation or freezing pain
- Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Difficulty sleeping because of feet and leg pain
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking or moving the arms
- Unusual sweating
- Abnormalities in blood pressure or pulse
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
Neuropathy is very common. There are many types and causes. Often, no cause can be found. Some nerves diseases run in families.
Diabetes is the most common cause of this type of nerve problem. High blood sugar levels over a long time can damage your nerves.
Other health conditions that may cause neuropathy are:
- Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Chronic kidney disease
- HIV
- Liver infections
- Low levels of vitamin B12
- Metabolic disease
- Poisoning due to heavy metals, such as lead
- Poor blood flow to the legs
- Underactive thyroid gland
Other things that can lead to nerve damage are:
- Broken bone that affects a nerve
- Long-term, heavy alcohol use
- Glue, lead, mercury, and solvent poisoning
- Drugs that treat infections, cancer, seizures, and high blood pressure
- Pressure on a nerve, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Being exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time
- Pressure from bad-fitting casts, splints, a brace, or crutches
How Our Specialized Neuropathy Treatments Can Help You
As neuropathy specialists and experienced chiropractors in Augusta GA, Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic is one of only four certified treatment centers in Georgia and the only certified treatment center in the Augusta area for providing treatment using an FDA-approved device specifically for neuropathy. In addition to our specialized chiropractic treatments, our FDA-Approved device is an effective, drug free, side-effect free, primary treatment for neuropathy. It is a method of dual electrical stimulation to stimulate nerves and muscles simultaneously. Thus the nerves are treated, and the muscles are re-educated simultaneously. We have had tremendous success in treating neuropathy by focusing on the underlying condition.
Our device basically acts like a pacemaker works for your heart’s electrical signals. If the pacemaker does not send exactly the right signal, then the four chambers of the heart may not pump in the right order and if the signal is too fast or too slow, the heart stops. So, too, our device’s precisely controlled waveform coaxes your nerves to transmit their signals in the proper order.
Pat’s Success Story for Neuropathy with Augusta GA Chiropractor Dr. Mark Huntsman:
Get Started Today on Specialized Neuropathy Treatments
If you are suffering from peripheral neuropathy, call our office today for a complimentary consultation with an experienced neuropathy specialist, and together we can discuss what can be done for your condition. With proper treatment, there is no need to let your neuropathy get out of hand or slow you down. We look forward to working together with you.
The Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic Blog is written by Dr. Mark Huntsman.
Augusta GA Chiropractor Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic provides customized chiropractic care to Augusta GA, Martinez GA, and Evans GA communities. Visit our main website at www.georgia-clinic.com for a chiropractor in Augusta GA specializing in customized neuropathy treatments.
Choose several options to schedule your appointment: call (706) 814-5053 or use our online form.
