The Healing Benefits of Natural Neuropathy Treatments

When complications arising from diabetes occur, they may result in the disruption of blood flow. This interruption causes fewer nutrients (oxygen and minerals) to reach most body organs, leading to a type of nerve damage known as diabetic neuropathy.

Neuropathy itself is a nerve disease caused by nerve cell damage or dysfunction, hampering communication between the cells and the brain.

There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy:

• Autonomic Neuropathy: Affects mainly the nerves that control digestion, but it can also affect the nerves controlling heartbeat, sex organs, and blood vessels.
• Mononeuropathy: This can occur in any specific nerve.
• Peripheral Symmetric Neuropathy: Affects mainly the hands, arms, legs, and feet.
• Proximal Neuropathy: Affects the thighs, buttocks, hips, and legs.

Diabetic neuropathy progresses over time, with symptoms getting worse with time. Here’s all you need to know about neuropathy’s causes, symptoms, and management.

Diabetic Neuropathy Causes

Uncontrolled high blood sugar damages the nerves over time, which is thought to be the number one cause of diabetic neuropathy. Anyone with diabetes stands a high risk of developing neuropathy. Although there is no precise reason why or how this happens, there are factors that make you susceptible to diabetic neuropathy, including:

• Uncontrolled or Excessive Blood Sugar Levels: Excessive blood sugar levels put you at risk of all complications that arise from diabetes, including nerve damage.
• Kidney Damage: Kidney damage inhibits proper excretion of some toxins, leading to nerve damage.
• Smoking: Smoking results in reduced blood flow to the legs and feet because it causes the narrowing and hardening of arteries.  
• Diabetes History: The longer you have had diabetes, the more likely diabetic-related neuropathy can occur.

Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and the nerves affected, but in general, they include:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, bloating, nausea, or even diarrhea
• Difficulty standing up after sitting for long
• Ulcers
• Infections
• Tingling, muscle weakness, numbness, or pain
• Loss of feeling in the arms, hands, or feet
• Double vision
• Aching behind one eye
• Deformities
• Bone and joint pain

A reputable chiropractic clinic can offer relief for most, if not all, of these symptoms, allowing you to get back to your normal duties.

How to Treat Diabetic Neuropathy

As mentioned earlier, anyone with diabetes can get diabetes-related neuropathy, so the first and best thing to do is monitor and manage your blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the condition, and treatment only aims to slow down its progression. It includes using:

• Anticonvulsants: These include Pregabalin prescriptions to ease the pain. Gabapentin and Sodium valproate may also be given when other effects, such as weight gain, are present.
• Antidepressants: These include Duloxetine or Amitriptyline to reduce unpleasant sensations.
• Opioids: These include Oxycodone, Dextromethorphan, Tramadol, and Morphine. However, these are rarely prescribed because they have a high risk of rendering someone dependent after prolonged usage.
• NSAIDs (painkiller): Common painkillers such as paracetamol to ease the pain.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation: A spinal cord stimulator is a pacemaker-like device implanted between the epidural gap (space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae). It delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord to help manage chronic pain when other medications fail to provide relief.

Diabetic neuropathy is a painful condition that causes many discomforts and can even be debilitating. However, by taking the correct measures to manage blood sugar levels, you can prevent it from getting worse.

What the Best Golfer’s Elbow Treatment in Mill Creek Really Looks Like

In 2019, 34.2 million Americans played golf on courses or at driving ranges. That’s more than 10% of the U.S. population.

Golf is a low-impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy, from children to young adults to Baby Boomers. Plus, a golf course is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

It’s no wonder why the game is so popular. But, that doesn’t mean injuries aren’t possible.

If you’re having inner elbow pain, you might have golfer’s elbow. Read on to learn more about this injury and what golfer’s elbow treatment looks like.

What is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow, which is also called medial epicondylitis, is a type of tendonitis. It affects the inside of your elbow, specifically the bony bump where your tendons attach to the muscles in your forearm.

It’s an overuse injury that can happen when you grasp, lift, stretch, or twist your arm. It’s called golfer’s elbow because you use all of these motions when you grip a golf club.

Despite the name, you could get this injury from activity that uses your arms or wrists. That includes chopping vegetables, weightlifting, rock climbing, painting, or even typing on a computer.

Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow

Depending on your activity levels or golfing habits, medial epicondylitis symptoms can come on suddenly or build slowly over time. The symptoms can be mild or very severe.

The most common symptom is aching or burning pain in your inner elbow. The pain might also travel down your forearm muscle.

Stiffness in your elbow and trouble straightening your arm or making a fist are also common symptoms. You might also notice weakness in your hand or wrist.

In some cases, you might even notice numbness or tingling in your ring or pinky finger.

Golfer’s Elbow Treatment with KT Tape

Before your treatment, your doctor may perform a golfer’s elbow test to determine the diagnosis. He or she will have you make a fist and then they’ll rotate your wrist and extend your arm to check for pain or stiffness.

If you do have inner elbow pain, one treatment option is to use KT or kinesiology tape. It’s a type of stretchy therapeutic tape that can decrease your pain, ease muscle spasms, and reduce swelling.

Your chiropractor or physical therapist will apply the tape as part of an in-office treatment. They’ll cut the KT tape into a Y shape and apply it to your elbow and forearm. KT tape can be part of an ongoing treatment plan or as a standalone pain solution.

Chiropractic for Golfer’s Elbow

Another great treatment method for inner elbow and forearm pain is a chiropractic adjustment. Rather than simply fixing the pain, chiropractic care will address the cause of the injury, such as an alignment issue in your wrist, shoulder, or elbow.

Once your chiropractor has diagnosed you with golfer’s elbow, they’ll decide which technique is right for you.

Depending on the extent of your elbow pain, you may need to return for more chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic care will promote healing and pain relief that can ease your golfer’s elbow symptoms.

Start a Treatment Plan Today

If you have inner elbow pain, you might be suffering from golfer’s elbow. Luckily you don’t have to put away your clubs. With the right golfer’s elbow treatment, you’ll be back on the course before you know it.

At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we’re dedicated to your health and wellness. Call us at (425) 737-5343 or schedule your appointment below with the most trusted and proven chiropractor in Mill Creek.

Pain, Pain, Go Away: What’s the Best Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis?

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. What does it do? It connects your calf muscles to your heel.

Without it, you wouldn’t be able to walk properly!

As it turns out, however, there are many diseases that can affect the tendons. Take rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, it can cause chronic inflammation.

Injuries can affect the connective tissues as well. In fact, they’re one of the main causes of Achilles tendonitis, which affects up to 18% of athletes.

Luckily, the condition is treatable. Interested in knowing what the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis is? Because that’s what we’ll be going over in this post!

Where is the Achilles Tendon Located?

The Achilles tendon is a thick band of fibrous tissue that’s located at the back of the lower leg. More specifically, it connects the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf to the calcaneus aka heel bone.

Despite its size and strength, it’s vulnerable to injury—even with the small sacs of fluid protecting it at the heel.

Causes for Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed. Generally speaking, this can be caused by any repetitive movements.

That’s the main reason why athletes are more prone to the condition. Those who participate in sports such as tennis, softball, volleyball, and track and field, are particularly susceptible.

Certain factors can play a role as well. For example, an individual will be more likely to experience tendonitis if they exercise without warming up. A sudden increase in physical activity can also strain the tendon.

Best Treatment For Achilles Tendonitis (Without Medications)

There are ways to treat Achilles tendonitis without medications. For one thing, you can use the RICE method. Here’s a brief overview of how it works:

Rest: Avoid putting weight or pressure on the tendon for 1-2 days—that’ll allow it to heal faster. Consider using crutches if you need to walk.

Ice: Apply ice to the tendon for 15-20 minutes at a time. The cold will help bring down any swelling or inflammation. It’s a good idea to wrap the ice pack with a towel so that it won’t damage your skin.

Compression: Compress the injury by wrapping athletic tape around the tendon; this will prevent excessive swelling. However, don’t wrap it too tightly or else it’ll affect your blood flow.

Elevation: Raise your foot so that it’s above your chest—you want it to be higher than your heart. This is an effective way of reducing bruising and swelling.

Chiropractic Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis

Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve pain. After all, it’s not uncommon for misaligned joints to put extra stress on the Achilles tendons and feet.

Your chiropractor may also opt for Active Release Therapy (ART). Basically, it involves breaking up scar tissue in the tendon, leg, and foot. Not only will this help with the pain but it’ll also prevent further complications.

Dealing With Achilles Tendonitis

While most cases are minor, it never hurts to go see a doctor or even a chiropractor—they’ll be able to determine the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis that’s right for you.

For those of you who are in the Mill Creek area, feel free to contact us to see how we can help!

Most people think of chiropractors as treating a few specific problems. If they have a sore back or a crick in their neck, the chiropractor is the first person they call.

What you may not realize is that your trusted chiropractor treats far more conditions and symptoms than you realize. One of those conditions is neuropathy. This painful problem affects tens of millions of Americans including up to 70% of people with diabetes.

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy, to be general, is damage to the nerves. Most of the time when people talk about neuropathy, they’re talking about peripheral neuropathy. This is neuropathy in your limbs like your arms, legs, feet, and hands.

When these nerves are damaged, it leads to painful or unsettling symptoms. You may have tingling or a pins-and-needles type of pain in the area. You might also feel numbness in the area.

There are many potential causes of neuropathy. Over time, the high blood sugar of diabetes can damage your nerves, especially if the diabetes isn’t well-controlled.

Nerve damage can also come from injuries. These include both traumatic injuries and stress injuries from repeated use. Any illness that limits your blood flow can cause neuropathy. So can a variety of other conditions like certain autoimmune disorders.

Can Chiropractors Help With Neuropathy?

If you’re suffering from neuropathy, you have other options besides prescription pain medications. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to often make great improvements in neuropathy.

In fact, our unique clinic offers even more ways to treat neuropathy. In addition to skilled chiropractic care, our team provides whole-body vibration, infrared sauna sessions, and custom nutritional planning. This combination addresses your neuropathy from multiple angles for stronger results.

How Do Chiropractors Treat Neuropathy?

How exactly can a chiropractor treat neuropathy? The answer is surprisingly simple.

Your body is an ornate collaboration between bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and more, all tightly packed together. In some cases, misalignments in your body put excess pressure on specific nerves, leading to damage. Chiropractors use precise adjustments to relieve pressure on nerves to allow the nerves to heal.

Another common reason for neuropathy is a lack of blood flow. Your nerves, like everything else in your body, use blood to get their oxygen and nourishment. Unfortunately, misalignments in your body can restrict your blood flow. This deprices the nerves of the blood they need.

Our Doctors of Chiropractic can fine-tune your alignment to promote healthier blood flow throughout the area. Depending on your condition and how advanced it is, that refreshed blood flow can put your nerves on the path to recovery.

Taking the Pain Away: Chiropractic Care for Neuropathy

Neuropathy, including peripheral neuropathy, is a painful long-term condition that can make a dramatic difference in your daily life. The effects are even greater if you become dependent on opioid pain medications as a result.