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.