One of the most frustrating problems peripheral neuropathy patients face is the contradictory symptoms:
“My feet are ice cold, but also burning hot.”
“My hands are numb, but also tingly and painful.”
“One day my pain is so severe that I can’t concentrate on anything else, but the next day I feel perfectly fine.”
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms
- Tingling or numbness in legs, arms, hands or feet
- Feeling pins & needles, sharp, throbbing, or jabbing pain
- Feeling icy cold or burning hot sensations in hands or feet
- Sensitivity to touch
- Excessive pain in feet from light pressure
- Muscle weakness & lack of coordination
Why is there such inconsistency among peripheral neuropathy symptoms? The most succinct explanation is to compare peripheral neuropathy with a frayed electrical cord. A damaged electrical wire does not emit a steady flow of electricity; sometimes the current is steady, often the current surges (causing flickers), and sometimes the current is not flowing at all.
Much like an electrical cord, our peripheral nerves carry messages from the spinal cord and brain to our extremities. When the peripheral nerves are damaged, they either do not work—causing numbness and tingling—or they work too hard—causing sharp, shooting pain.
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
The reasons for peripheral neuropathy pain are numerous, but the more common causes include diabetes, chemotherapy treatments, injury, nutritional imbalance, shingles, auto immune diseases, alcoholism and vitamin deficiencies. Symptoms most often occur first in the feet, and spread into the other extremities—legs, arms, and hands.
A standard course of treatment for peripheral neuropathy typically includes prescription medications and creams. Strong pain relievers, anti-depressants and topical anesthetics are commonly prescribed. For patients seeking a more natural approach to care, physical medicine offers relief from painful symptoms without the use of narcotics or other strong drugs.
At Platinum Healthcare Physical Medicine, LLC, we have the latest in diagnostic assessment to fully understand your areas of pain and to ensure we provide the best care possible. We use EMG (electromyogram) and nerve conducting testing to assess the level of nerve damage you are experiencing. After a thorough evaluation to check the health and function of your nerves and muscles, our professionals may recommend a number of physical medicine treatments proven to alleviate peripheral neuropathy pain: soft tissue therapies, chiropractic adjustments, cold laser therapies, physical therapies, ultrasound, and light therapies.
Our peripheral neuropathy specialists understand the pain and suffering this condition causes and are committed to providing our patients the best care available.
If you have received a diagnosis, or suspect your symptoms are related to peripheral neuropathy, call our office today at (941) 214-4009 to schedule a FREE consultation with a member of our team.