Neuropathy, not to be confused with restless leg syndrome which generally is prominent at night whereas neuropathy can occur at any time, is one of the most common ailments affecting more than 20 million people in the United States (as per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website), although that figure is thought to be significantly higher due to neuropathy’s complex array of symptoms. The best way to describe neuropathy in layman’s terms would be “pins and needles” or numbness/tingling in the feet or even the hands. In the words of science, neuropathy is damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), often causing weakness, numbness/tingling and pain.
Common causes of neuropathy include type 1 diabetes or some other form of autoimmune disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer or cancer treatment amongst others such as physical damage to the nerves, an underactive thyroid gland, chronic liver or kidney disease etc. Given the underlying causes of neuropathy, it can be treated in different ways. One such treatment comes with the use of chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on the body’s ability to self-heal and includes other treatments like nutrition and exercise without pain medications prescribed. The goal of most chiropractors would be to reduce pain/symptoms and improve an individual’s quality of life as well educate them moving forward. Chiropractic is generally categorized as alternative medicine or complementary medicine. Initial steps of a chiropractor will likely include examination of the individual in need and checking muscle reflexes. Various tests may be involved followed by a treatment plan and then monitoring progress.
For many, neuropathy might be improved with regular chiropractic care. It may also reduce neuropathy pain, improve range of motion in your joints and relieve pressure on the affected peripheral nerves. Since neuropathy can be caused by being a side effect to medications or other medical conditions, treatment is first tailored to treating the underlying condition that causes the nerve pain and inflammation which in turn improves symptoms. This may involve making lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly, all of which could improve your symptoms. Although as mentioned, chiropractic treatment will be tailored to treating the underlying condition, it doesn’t just stop there. Treatment will also be tailored to depending on a person’s symptoms, how significant those symptoms are etc. Some common treatment includes cold laser therapy, adjustments and manipulation, spinal decompression and as mentioned nutritional counseling, lifestyle advice and exercises.