Neuropathy
Neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves, which transmit information between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When these nerves become damaged, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and loss of function. At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, we diagnose and treat neuropathy using a functional neurology approach to restore nerve health and improve quality of life.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the peripheral nerves, which can result from a variety of causes. The symptoms of neuropathy can affect different parts of the body and vary greatly in severity, from mild tingling to debilitating pain. Neuropathy can interfere with everyday activities, making tasks like walking, gripping objects, or even standing painful and difficult.
Types of Neuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy
This is the most common form of neuropathy and involves damage to the peripheral nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness, typically starting in the toes or fingers.
Autonomic Neuropathy
Autonomic nerves control involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. When these nerves are damaged, symptoms can include dizziness, digestive problems, and difficulty regulating body temperature.
Proximal Neuropathy
This type of neuropathy typically affects the hips, thighs, and buttocks, causing pain, weakness, or difficulty moving certain muscles. It can impact one side of the body or both.
Cranial Neuropathy
Cranial neuropathy affects the nerves that control functions of the face and head. This can lead to vision problems, difficulty swallowing, facial pain, or weakness.
Focal Neuropathy
Focal neuropathy refers to damage to a single nerve or a group of nerves, often causing sudden pain, weakness, or loss of function. It can affect any nerve, but it commonly impacts the hand, leg, face, or torso.
Common causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathy can result from a variety of underlying conditions and factors. Understanding the root cause of neuropathy is crucial for effective treatment and to prevent further nerve damage.
Some common causes include:
Diabetes
Trauma or Injury
Infections
Vitamin Deficiencies
Alcoholism
Autoimmune Diseases
Toxins and Medications
Genetic Factors
How We Treat Neuropathy
At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, our functional neurology approach focuses on identifying the root cause of your neuropathy and tailoring a treatment plan to address it. Our goal is to help restore nerve function, reduce symptoms, and improve your quality of life. We use a combination of therapies to help manage neuropathy, including:
Neuromuscular Therapy: therapies to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and enhance nerve function.
Strength and Coordination Exercises: Exercises targeted at improving strength, flexibility, and coordination to addressing physical limitations caused by neuropathy.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A non-invasive technique to stimulate the vagus nerve and help regulate autonomic function.
Nutritional Assessment: Running blood labs can identify vitamins and nutrients including B vitamins that may be contributing to neuropathy symptoms.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: Gentle electrical impulses stimulate affected nerves to promote nerve function, enhance healing, and reduce pain.
Pain Management: Non-pharmaceutical pain management options, including targeted electrical stimulation and gentle nerve mobilization, to reduce discomfort and improve mobility.
Lifestyle Modifications: Recommendations form improved posture, ergonomics, and movement strategies, to prevent further nerve damage and promote healing.
Take the First Step Toward Neuropathy Relief
If you’re struggling with neuropathy symptoms and want to find out how we can help, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Timko at Clarity Brain and Body Clinic. We’ll work with you to uncover the underlying cause of your neuropathy and create a personalized treatment plan to get you back to living pain-free.