Understanding Neuropathy

Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that convey messages to and from the brain and spinal cord. This malfunction usually culminates in numbness, tingling, muscle pain, or weakness in your feet, hands, and other body parts. The damage to the peripheral nerves disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body, impairing muscle movement.

At Summit Medical Care Center, we provide natural remedies to manage the symptoms of neuropathy. To treat neuropathy, it’s crucial to understand the common causes of the condition.

Common Causes of Neuropathy

People with a family history of neuropathy are more likely to develop the condition. However, several other factors and underlying conditions may cause this disorder, including:

Injury

Physical trauma is a common trigger of nerve injury. These injuries often include car accidents, whiplash, falls, slips, and fractures. Aggravated pressure on the median nerve (nerve in the wrist that supports sensation and movement to the hand) triggers carpal tunnel syndrome, a common type of peripheral neuropathy.

Infections and Autoimmune Disorders

Certain bacteria and viruses directly attack nerve tissues. Viruses like herpes simplex, the varicella-zoster virus (that transmits chickenpox and shingles), damage sensory nerves and causes intense shooting pain in affected parts. Additionally, autoimmune illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus affect peripheral nervous systems in many ways.

Medications

Some medications might cause nerve damage. Examples include:

• Anticonvulsants for treating seizures
• Certain drugs used to combat bacterial infections
• Some blood pressure drugs
• Medications used to treat cancer

Generalized Disorders

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of nerve damage. Other chronic diseases that might trigger nerve damage include:

• Kidney disorders
• Hypothyroidism (insufficient production of thyroid hormone)
• Deficiencies of vitamins E, B-1, B-6, and -12 (essential to nerve health and functioning)

Alcohol and Toxins

Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue, putting individuals suffering from severe alcoholism at a higher vulnerability of peripheral neuropathy. Toxic chemicals like glue, solvents, or insecticides can cause nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in feet or hands.

Contact Us for Neuropathy Pain Relief from Our Chiropractor

Chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, Class IV laser therapy, and Wave Therapy are just a few of the treatments we provide to treat patients suffering from neuropathy. If neuropathy has taken control of your life, please book an appointment with our chiropractor at Summit Medical Care Center for optimal pain relief. Our team is committed to providing patients the care they need to get back to living their lives pain-free.