Living With Neuropathy (And What You Can Do About It)

Neuropathy is nerve damage. It can happen because of several reasons, with the most common cause being diabetes. In fact, about half of all people with diabetes will get neuropathy sometime in their life due to the damage high blood sugar causes to peripheral nerves. Nerve damage can also come from excessive alcohol use, infections, nutrient deficiencies, and trauma. 

Board-certified chiropractor and integrative medicine specialist Steven Gentry, DC, evaluates and treats neuropathy at ChiroCare Therapy in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He takes the time to review your symptoms, the underlying cause of your neuropathy, and your medical history to create a personalized care plan. 

While treatment may not eliminate all your symptoms, it can improve your quality of life by minimizing pain and poor balance. 

Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about neuropathy and the best integrative care for managing it.

Symptoms and their impact

Neuropathy can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system (all your other nerves). The symptoms you experience depend on the specific damaged nerves, so neuropathy symptoms vary greatly.

Dr. Gentry discovers the extent of your neuropathy by reviewing your symptoms, which might include:

• Widespread or localized pain
• Numbness 
• Tingling
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Clumsiness
• Poor balance 
• Poor coordination
• Sexual dysfunction
• Bladder or bowel incontinence

Your neuropathy symptoms can also cause other unanticipated challenges, including insomnia, missed work, and reduced independence. 

Reducing your symptoms with integrative care

Integrative medicine combines treatments and practices from a variety of medical specialties. In many cases, addressing the underlying cause of your neuropathy is the best way to treat it. If it’s due to diabetes, for example, managing your diabetes with a healthy diet and lifestyle may be enough to reduce neuropathy symptoms. 

Similarly, if you develop neuropathy because of a medication, switching or stopping the medication can alleviate symptoms. 

ChiroCare Therapy offers a range of therapies to improve your quality of life. They work in a variety of ways, with some aiming to build your strength, others focusing on balance, and some reducing your pain. 

Your treatment might consist of:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Massage therapy
• IV therapy
• Traction therapy
• Orthobiologics
• Physical therapy
• Daxxify® injections
• Spinal decompression
• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
• Nutritional supplements
• Peptide therapy

As a chiropractor, Dr. Gentry specializes in spinal treatments to aid your body in self-healing. In many cases, chiropractic care is an integral part of neuropathy treatment because it restores balance to your musculoskeletal system and may help restore neurological function. 

It might take several approaches to treat your neuropathy. 

Modifying your lifestyle

In addition to clinical treatments, lifestyle changes can improve neuropathy. Dr. Gentry encourages you to eat a balanced and nutritious diet to ensure you’re getting the vitamins your body needs for optimal nerve function. Also, minimize your alcohol intake and stop smoking. 

If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels in check. A glucose monitor can help you track your blood sugar so it doesn’t get high enough to cause more nerve damage. 

Learn more about integrative neuropathy care with Dr. Gentry’s help. Call our office or request an appointment online at ChiroCare Therapy for a physical examination and neurological testing today.