Help for Peripheral Neuropathy is Available

By John Dettmer, D.C.

Twenty million people in the United States suffer from neuropathy—a disease that causes damage to the peripheral nervous system—the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to every other part of the body.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves that are outside of the central nervous system become injured or damaged.  This includes nerves in the legs, feet, arms, hands and shoulders.

Peripheral nerves send sensory information back to the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that a finger is burned or your feet are cold.  Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these connections. Like static on a television, peripheral neuropathy distorts and may interrupt messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

Because every peripheral nerve has a highly specialized function in a specific part of the body, a number of symptoms occur when nerves are damaged.  Some people experience temporary numbness, tingling and pricking sensations and sensitivity to touch or muscle weakness. Others suffer more extreme symptoms including burning pain (especially at night), muscle wasting, paralysis and organ or gland dysfunction.

The most common symptoms or signs of peripheral neuropathy are muscle weakness, muscle spasms and cramping.  Damage to the sensory portions of the nerve can produce numbness, tingling, shooting or electric types of pain that occur in the legs or arms.  Patients may also experience the sensation of wearing an invisible tight glove or sock, shock like sensations, burning or extreme sensitivity to touch.

There are many different conditions that can cause pain.  The key aspect in treating neuropathy is in the diagnoses of the injured or compressed nerve and in finding the true cause of the injury. Damage can occur from a number of different causes which stem from direct trauma to the extremity, side-effects of a system illness or chemical injury.

Peripheral neuropathy usually begins with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that is often worse at night. This pain can be either constant or periodic but is usually felt equally on both sides of the body—in both hands or in both feet.

Some types of neuropathy develop suddenly while others move more slowly over many years. There are many different conditions that can cause pain. The key aspect in treating neuropathy is in the diagnoses of the injured or compressed nerve and in finding the true cause of the injury. Damage can occur from a number of different causes which stem from direct trauma to the extremity, side-effects of a system illness or chemical injury.

Ordinary medicine does not have a cure for peripheral neuropathy. But there is help in several forms.

Boosting the body’s levels of a single molecule—Nitric Oxide (NO) can help you prevent, control and even reverse cardiovascular disease and peripheral neuropathy.

Nitric Oxide is one of the most important signaling molecules in our body. It optimizes circulation and is involved in virtually every organ system in our body. More blood flow means better brain function and better attention, better oxygen transfer and more energy. It evens means a better sex life because Nitric Oxide is a key ingredient in many well-known erectile dysfunction products.

Nitric Oxide also has important properties in the immune system where it helps us fight off infections and cancer cells as well as in the nervous system where it helps our brain cells communicate properly.

Besides boosting NO in your system, one of the treatments we offer at SpinalCare Physical Medicine for Peripheral Neuropathy is the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) or Light Therapy. Research shows that patients using this low level light therapy have experienced decreases in local swelling, inflammation, muscle spasms, tightness and tension.  They also have increased range of motion, lymphatic drainage and venous dilation and flow.

A study of 784 patients published in the Journal of Neurological & Orthopedic Surgeons demonstrated that 88.8% of those treated with Light Therapy had excellent to total pain relief after 12 treatments.

The use of LEDs helps to increase circulation by increasing the formation of new capillaries. It increases the energy level in your cells which stimulates the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is the major carrier of energy to all cells. And, it reduces the excitability of nervous tissues.  Increasing the lymphatic system activity helps reduce the swelling or natural splinting process of the body.

The process behind using LEDs is simple and requires no down time, no drugs and no side effects.

Our team at SpinalCare Physical Medicine is experienced at helping people with neuropathy conditions. Our doctors are dedicated to diagnosing the cause of your peripheral neuropathy and in alleviating your symptoms. For more information or to make an appointment to try our Light Therapy call us at 317-272-4100.

Dr. John Dettmer, D.C.~With over 34 years of experience, Dr. Dettmer is trained in spinal and cranial therapeutic procedures, non-surgical spinal decompression, neuropathy treatment and weight loss. He completed his undergraduate training at Indiana University in 1974 and received his doctorate in chiropractic from Palmer College in 1977.  He specializes in combining the best of physical therapy, chiropractic and other physical medicine procedures to help his patients get out of pain fast and effectively. His favorite part of practice is watching the changes that occur in his patients overall health after starting therapeutic treatment.  Dr. Dettmer belongs to Palmer Alumni Association, Indiana State Chiropractic Association, Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America and Neurological Relief Centers.

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