Neuropathy may feel like it appears suddenly, but the problem is gradual and easy to overlook. There is no one way that this condition operates, and every sufferer experiences their own unique symptoms. What all neuropathy has in common however, are two things: It is caused by nerve damage, and it can be a debilitating condition if not properly addressed. Neuropathy therapy can help.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a chronic problem that is caused by a decreased blood supply to the nerves. Lack of oxygen leaves nerves damaged or causes them to die off, leading to telltale symptoms. Neuropathy can progress into a distracting and all-encompassing condition that interrupts sleep, work, and everyday life. Typically described as weakness, numbness, or tingling in your hands, fingers, feet, back, face, or thighs, neuropathy also presents as a feeling of over-sensitivity, cramping, or pins and needles. It’s a condition that often occurs at night.
Besides making you feel supremely uncomfortable, this nerve damage will ultimately begin to interrupt your life, causing coordination problems, muscle loss, balance issues, slow reflexes, and even difficulty walking.
Who Gets Neuropathy?
There are over 24 million Americans who suffer from neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy. Older adults are the typical sufferers, but nerve damage can occur at any age.
There are over 100 known causes of peripheral neuropathy, but certain people are at greater risk than others. If you have diabetes or disc degeneration, vascular disease or stenosis of the spine, if you are on certain medications or have been exposed to toxins, any of these conditions can lead to the development of neuropathy. Environment, age, and overall health are also contributing factors.
Can Neuropathy Be Cured?
There is no complete cure for neuropathy, but there are therapies that can minimize the side effects of this condition. As with all diseases that are treated with functional medicine, the first goal is to identify the root cause of the problem. Addressing deeper conditions that you may be suffering – or may not even be aware that your body is suffering – will stimulate healing throughout your body.
Getting relief from symptoms without medication should be the goal. Prescription drugs can minimize the pain, but they will never do enough to dramatically reduce the problem. Your symptoms will still be there, along with a new dependency on pain medications.
Non-Invasive Neuropathy Therapy
Whenever you suffer from a chronic condition like neuropathy, identifying a long-lasting solution, even if it’s a condition that has no cure, is ideal. A drug-free, multi-disciplinary approach will review all aspects of your life – from environment to demographics to habits to lifestyle to career to nutrition to weight. Along with this examination of your world, state-of-the-art technology can be used to balance nerve signals and reinstate proper blood flow to the nerves. This allows the nerves to work as they’re intended.
Contact the Restorative Wellness Center in Ann Arbor to schedule your consultation with our functional medicine team to discuss neuropathy. You can get the pain relief you desperately crave, without relying on prescription drugs.
