Treating Neuropathy with Chiropractic Care
Neuropathy is a condition that currently affects over 20 million people in the United States, with symptoms ranging from slight tingling or burning pain to muscle spasms, difficulty moving your arms or legs, and, in some cases, atrophy, significantly impacting one's quality of life. In this article, we will explore how chiropractic care can benefit those suffering from neuropathy and why it goes beyond symptom management to seek out and resolve the underlying issues.
Understanding Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a condition that arises due to damage or dysfunction of the nerves, typically in the peripheral nervous system. Common causes include vertebral subluxations, diabetes, chemotherapy, alcohol abuse, and certain medical conditions. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, making it challenging for individuals to perform everyday tasks. Aging is also a significant contributor to neuropathy. As people age, the spinal column and vertebral joints begin to break down, leading to increased compression on spinal nerves, which leads to nerve damage and neuropathy. Trapped or compressed nerves can be released by chiropractic manipulation, freeing the nerves to function normally.
Types Of Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy
a type of peripheral nerve disorder that causes damage to the nerves in your limbs. This can result from diabetes, chemotherapy, or other diseases that cause inflammation and swelling near the nerves.
Central neuropathy
occurs when spinal cord function or brain function problems interfere with how you sense pain. It is often difficult for doctors to diagnose central neuropathies as many people have multiple conditions at once - but they are more common among those with AIDS/HIV, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis than patients without any of these diagnoses.
Focal or Mononeuropathy
Focal or mononeuropathy impacts a specific nerve, often located in areas such as the face, torso, leg, or arm. The symptoms can vary widely depending on the affected nerve, but commonly include:
- Intense Pain: This can manifest in various parts of the body, including the shin, foot, or the front of the thigh.
- Vision Issues: This may present as double vision or difficulty focusing.
- Facial Issues: Including symptoms such as facial paralysis.
- Targeted Pain: Experiencing pain localized to a particular area, like the shin or foot.
These symptoms typically diminish or completely resolve within a few weeks to months, offering some relief to those affected.
What are neuropathy symptoms?
The most common symptom is neuropathic pain in the affected areas. Patients often describe the sensation as a stabbing or shooting pain, but some experience a tingling or burning sensation. Numbness and a "pins and needles" feeling are also other common pain signals.
Peripheral nerve damage, such as neuropathy, can make you overly sensitive to touch and cold. Some patients report additional problems, including muscle wasting, sexual dysfunction, and feeling hot or cold. You might notice muscle weakness as the condition progresses, especially in the hands and feet. Some patients lose their balance and fall or struggle with coordination. Depending on the location of the nerve damage, you might experience a drop in blood pressure, digestive problems, or issues with your urinary system.
What are the symptoms of proximal neuropathy?
Proximal neuropathy primarily impacts the nerves in your thighs, hips, buttocks, and legs. This condition often presents symptoms on just one side of the body. Key indicators include:
- Intense pain localized in the hip, buttock, or thigh regions.
- Noticeable weakening or shrinking of the thigh muscles.
- Unexplained pain in the chest or abdomen.
- Struggles with transitioning from a seated to a standing position.
These symptoms can vary in intensity but often show improvement within six months to a year.
4 Stages of Neuropathy
Unless a medical team can get the underlying causes under control, the condition will continue progressing. Patients typically go through four stages.
Stage 1
In the early stages of neuropathy, patients tend to notice a numbing, tingling, or burning sensation in their extremities. The sensations come and go or occur when the patient applies pressure to the areas.
Stage 2
As the neuropathy nerve damage progresses, the painful sensation becomes constant. It can interfere with daily tasks, and the patient might notice additional symptoms, such as difficulties with motion control.
Stage 3
The pain progressively gets worse and affects the patient's quality of life. It can be challenging to find relief from the pain, and the condition can spread to more areas.
Stage 4
Advanced neuropathy can cause a complete loss of sensation in the affected areas. The patient becomes unresponsive to touch, painful stimuli, or temperature changes. Paralysis can also appear.
Traditional Approaches to Neuropathy
Traditional medical approaches to treating neuropathy involve medications such as pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, or topical creams to manage symptoms. While these treatments can offer temporary relief, they do not address the underlying cause of neuropathy. Moreover, prolonged use of medications may lead to unwanted side effects and fail to provide long-term solutions.
Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care
Research has shown that chiropractic care can effectively treat neuropathic pain by reducing inflammation and improving nerve function. By adjusting misalignments or subluxations in the spine, chiropractors can relieve pressure on nerves, reducing pain levels and improving mobility for patients with neuropathy.
According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, neuropathy is the second most common condition treated by chiropractors. A 2008 study in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine concluded that nearly 85% of patients experienced a reduction of symptoms after an average of 9 visits.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Neuropathy
Improved Nerve Function: Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate nerve pressure caused by vertebral subluxations. By restoring proper spinal alignment, chiropractors can enhance nerve function, reducing the symptoms associated with neuropathy.
Pain Relief: Chiropractic care has proven to provide pain relief for individuals suffering from neuropathy. By addressing the root cause of nerve dysfunction, chiropractors can help patients experience reduced pain and discomfort.
Enhanced Blood Flow: Proper spinal alignment also promotes improved blood circulation. This increased circulation can benefit individuals with neuropathy by delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to damaged nerves, aiding healing.
Reduced Inflammation: Inflammation often contributes to neuropathic symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce inflammation by restoring the body's natural balance, which may reduce pain and discomfort.
Comprehensive Approach: Unlike conventional medicine, which primarily focuses on symptom management, chiropractic care takes a comprehensive approach. Chiropractors seek to identify and address the root causes of health issues, working to improve overall wellness.
Drug-Free Solution: Chiropractic care provides a drug-free alternative for individuals seeking relief from neuropathy symptoms. This approach minimizes the risk of adverse side effects associated with medications.
Enhanced Quality of Life: For many patients, undergoing chiropractic treatment for neuropathy improves overall quality of life. Beyond just alleviating physical symptoms like pain, this form of care can improve mobility and functionality. By addressing the root cause of neuropathic symptoms through spinal adjustments, individuals experience better sleep quality due to reduced discomfort, which leads to increased energy levels and improved daily functioning. Increased mobility allows patients to engage in activities they may have previously avoided due to pain or limitations.
