Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment with Korean Acupuncture and herbal medicine
Neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves in the body, causing pain, numbness, and tingling sensations. Peripheral neuropathy is a type of neuropathy affecting the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral neuropathy can cause various symptoms and can result from multiple factors.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves that transmit information between the brain and spinal cord, and the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy can cause many symptoms, including pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary depending on the nerve type affected.
There are three types of nerves in the body: sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nerves. Sensory nerves transmit sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch. Motor nerves control movement and coordination. Autonomic nerves control blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion.
When the peripheral nerves are damaged, the messages they transmit to the brain and spinal cord can become disrupted, leading to a wide range of symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy can affect one nerve (mononeuropathy) or multiple nerves (polyneuropathy).
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
A variety of factors can cause peripheral neuropathy. Some of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves over time, leading to neuropathy.
- Trauma: Trauma, such as a car accident or sports injury, can damage the peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathy.
- Infections: Certain infections, such as shingles, Lyme disease, and HIV/AIDS, can cause peripheral neuropathy.
- Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, and B12 can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
- Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can cause peripheral neuropathy.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy, can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary depending on the nerve type affected. Common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Burning or shooting pain in the hands and feet
- Weakness in the muscles of the hands and feet
- Loss of coordination
- Sensitivity to touch
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
- Digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea
Diagnosis of Peripheral Neuropathy
If you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis is essential. Your doctor may perform a physical exam to check your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation. They may also order nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and blood tests to help diagnose peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the underlying cause of the condition. If the underlying cause can be treated, such as diabetes or vitamin deficiencies, treating the underlying condition can help alleviate peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Suppose the underlying cause cannot be treated. In that case, several treatment options are available to help manage the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
- Medications: Several medications can be used to help manage the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, including:
- Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can effectively relieve mild to moderate pain associated with peripheral neuropathy.
- Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants, such as duloxetine and amitriptyline, can effectively relieve the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy.
- Anti-seizure medications: Certain anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, can effectively reduce the pain and tingling associated with peripheral neuropathy.
2. Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength and coordination, reduce pain, and improve balance.
3. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): TENS is a therapy that uses electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve muscle function.
4. Nerve blocks involve injecting a local anesthetic around the affected nerve to help alleviate pain.
5. Combined treatments of Korean acupuncture and herbal medicine granules effectively treat peripheral neuropathy.
Prevention of Peripheral Neuropathy
Prevention of peripheral neuropathy involves taking steps to prevent the underlying conditions that can cause neuropathy. Some steps that can be taken include:
- Managing diabetes: If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar levels is important to prevent nerve damage.
- Avoiding alcohol abuse: Avoiding alcohol abuse can help to prevent peripheral neuropathy.
- Getting enough vitamins: Eating a balanced diet and taking vitamin supplements can help to prevent vitamin deficiencies that can lead to neuropathy.
- Protecting against infections: Taking steps to prevent infections, such as getting vaccinated, can help to prevent conditions that can cause neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the peripheral nerves, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Various factors, including diabetes, trauma, infections, and medication side effects, can cause the condition. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be managed with medications, physical therapy, and other therapies.
Prevention of peripheral neuropathy involves taking steps to prevent the underlying conditions that can cause neuropathy. Suppose you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. In that case, seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is essential.
Dr. Kihyon Sohn, Korean acupuncture and herbal medicine doctor in Beaverton Oregon effectively treats peripheral neuropathy using Korean acupuncture and herbal medic granules.