A chiropractor may be able to mitigate some of the neuropathy symptoms you’re experiencing through chiropractic adjustments, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), massage therapy, and other treatments.
Neuropathy is a nerve condition that can cause common symptoms like significant pain, tingling and numbness of the extremities, and muscle weakness. These symptoms dramatically influence your quality of life, making it hard to perform your job, handle everyday responsibilities, and care for your loved ones. If you’re experiencing neuropathy, you might be desperate for relief. Fortunately, chiropractic care is often an effective treatment for neuropathy symptoms.
How a Chiropractor Can Help Neuropathy
Chiropractors focus on problems affecting the musculoskeletal system. They use many different types of hands-on methods to realign joints, relieve pressure on nerves, decrease pain, and increase range of motion.
Many chiropractic offices also offer physiotherapy, which involves restoring mobility and relieving pain through exercises, physical therapy, and other treatments. Every neuropathy patient is different and chiropractors can use a variety of different tools and techniques to relieve neuropathy symptoms.
Spinal Manipulation for Neuropathy
Chiropractors can use manual manipulation of the vertebrae, joints, and bones to restore proper alignment of the spine. Spinal adjustments involve putting gentle pressure on the neck, back, and extremities. The chiropractor may apply a quick thrust to targeted areas to restore proper alignment. They may use their hands to perform the adjustment or a tool such as an activator instrument.
Whatever the specific technique used, your comfort is always the priority. Many chiropractic patients find that they experience immediate relief during their first adjustment, but multiple adjustments are often needed to achieve maximum pain relief. Spinal manipulations offer many benefits for neuropathy sufferers, including:
- Reducing nerve compression – When the spine is misaligned, the nerves in the spinal cord can be compressed, leading to substantial pain and worsening the symptoms of neuropathy. Spinal adjustments can take the pressure off of nerves, allowing normal nerve functioning and reducing symptoms like chronic pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Increasing blood flow – Spinal adjustments can also improve blood circulation, which promotes healing and normal nerve functioning.
- Reducing muscle strain and pain – Muscles that are stressed can feel sore and weak. Spinal manipulations can put your body back into proper alignment and reduce excess strain on your muscles.
- Reducing pain – Chiropractic adjustments of the spine may reduce the need for pain medication.
Other options for reducing neuropathy pain and symptoms include:
Peripheral Joint Mobilization and Manipulation
Chiropractors may also manipulate the joints of the wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. During peripheral joint manipulation, the chiropractor applies a series of quick forces to the joints to restore alignment and reduce pain and other symptoms. Peripheral joint mobilization involves moving a joint in slower, sustained movements. These techniques can improve issues like joint stiffness and pain associated with neuropathy.
Reflex Therapy
Reflex therapy involves applying pressure to pressure points or reflex points that correspond to different areas of the body. It can be used to relieve pain and suffering caused by neuropathy and other conditions.
Reflexology can improve circulation, reduce stress, stimulate nerves, reduce pain, and relax the muscles. Reflex therapy is often used along with other types of chiropractic or physiotherapist treatments to promote overall well-being.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments to treat neuropathy symptoms. Massage can help reduce muscle tension that worsens nerve pain and other neuropathy symptoms.
During massage therapy, the practitioner rubs, squeezes, and stretches the skin, muscles, and soft tissues, enhancing relaxation and reducing stress. Massage also improves circulation, which is crucial for normal nerve functioning and mobility.
For many people, getting a massage is also an enjoyable experience that makes them feel much more relaxed. Consequently, massage is a complementary approach to many chiropractic treatments.
Electrical Stimulation Therapy
Electrical stimulation therapy (ES) may seem scary, but it is actually a very gentle, effective technique for individuals with neuropathy. During ES, small, painless electrical impulses are applied to the body using a device. Chiropractors and physical therapists often use devices such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices or Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) devices along with other types of chiropractic care to reduce pain and other uncomfortable symptoms caused by neuropathy.
These electrical stimulation devices can interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain, reducing the nerve pain you experience because of your neuropathy. Stimulating the nerves using low amounts of electricity can also improve nerve functioning. Electrical stimulation is a preferred choice for many people because it is a non-invasive, safe treatment option.
If you have any questions about what electrical stimulation therapy entails, feel free to discuss your questions and concerns with your chiropractor before beginning. Your chiropractor’s job is to make you feel as comfortable as possible, and this includes answering all of your questions about treatment techniques.
What Causes Neuropathy?
Many different factors can cause neuropathy. The most common cause is diabetes. If you suffer from diabetic neuropathy, chiropractic care may provide the relief you’ve been looking for.
Injuries such as slip and fall injuries and sports injuries are other common causes of neuropathy. Autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, cancer, and other medical conditions may also be root causes of neuropathy.
Why Choose Our Practice for Help With Neuropathic Pain?
At Naples Community Injury Center, our doctors are committed to excellence. We strive to provide pain relief to every patient who walks through the door. Whether you suffer from neuropathy because of an injury, diabetes, autoimmune disease, or another reason, we want to help you feel your best.
Our team of medical professionals has more than 60 years of collective experience. You can read testimonials from previous patients to learn about the personalized care and attention we provide each individual.
Our Neuropathy Chiropractors in Naples Can Help You
Neuropathy is a painful nerve condition causing serious symptoms that interfere with your everyday life. If you or a loved one suffers from neuropathy, you may be exploring your treatment options. Consider chiropractic care for neuropathy.
A chiropractor can use techniques such as spinal manipulation, massage, and reflex therapy to reduce your neuropathy symptoms. Many chiropractic patients find that chiropractic care reduces symptoms such as nerve pain, muscle weakness, tingling sensations, numbness, and reduced mobility.
Call our office at (239) 631-5445 to schedule an appointment to learn more.
