Damage can occur to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in peripheral neuropathy. Causes include infections (viral or bacterial), diabetes, physical injury, leaky gut, autoimmune disease, spinal problems, tumors and more. This issue can cause weakness, numbness, pain and a number of other symptoms. Many people assume that surgery will be their only option for relief, but there are actually many different non-invasive treatments that can be used.

Medication Options

There are different types of medications that can target specific peripheral neuropathy symptoms. This includes:

Antidepressants

There are a few different antidepressants that have the ability to interfere with the chemical processes that take place in the brain. Doing so will prevent nerves from being able to send pain signals to the hands and feet. Amitriptyline, Pamelor, Effexor XR and Cymbalta are medications frequently used for peripheral neuropathy.

Topical Treatments

For patients with minimal pain, there are topical creams and ointments that can be used for relief. Lidocaine patches and capsaicin cream are potential options.

Oral Pain Relievers

For mild pain symptoms, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help. For more severe pain, prescription pain killers like oxycontin and tramadol may be offered. However, many of these medications are opioids, which are highly addictive substances. Caution should be taken when using these drugs.

Medication for Seizures

While seizures aren’t a symptom of peripheral neuropathy, medications used to prevent seizures (pregabalin and gabapentin) can also ease the severity of nerve pain.

Addressing Your Triggers

There may be triggers in your life that cause your peripheral neuropathy to become worse, and there may be medications that can address those triggers. For example, alcohol consumption can cause worsening of symptoms. There are medications that can be used to stop drinking and curb cravings when an addiction is present.

Other Non-Surgical Approaches

If medication isn’t something you’re interested in using for your peripheral neuropathy, there are other non-surgical approaches that your doctor may suggest.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy appointments can focus on helping you regain some of the strength that you’ve lost due to your progressing peripheral neuropathy, while also treating cramps and spasms in your muscles.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic care is non-invasive and can stop peripheral neuropathy in its tracks while rebuilding the damaged nerves, tissue and muscles. It can sometimes reverse the condition altogether.

An experienced and knowledgeable chiropractor that is also Board Certified in Neuropathy like Dr. Shane Kurth D.C., BCN of Apex Chiropractic in Louisville, CO will use different treatments such as:

  • Electromagnetic Infrared Technology
    This therapy option can increase blood flow to affected areas of the body while repairing affected nerves. Three different light therapies are used to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. These blood vessels will then grow back around your peripheral nerves, allowing them to heal and thrive.
  • Electrostimulation
    Electrostimulation technology has been used successfully by cancer patients that need new growth of nerves to deal with side effects of chemotherapy. It can also be used to rebuild nerves in patients who have peripheral neuropathy. Disclaimer: This is not a TENS unit. They cannot and will not treat nerve damage. The device we use can and will and is in a class of its own.
  • Focusing on Metabolic Nutrition
    Nutritional counseling can lead to use of a diet that stimulates the repair of nerves and tissue in the body. It can also decrease inflammation and increase blood flow. We have special metabolic neuropathy kits backed by clinical studies packed full of everything you need to begin reversing neuropathy.

Other Options

Your doctor may recommend other alternative treatments for your pain and symptoms that include the following:

Plasma Exchange

This process involves removing antibodies from the blood and then returning the blood back to the body. Removing these antibodies can suppress the immune system, resulting in a decrease in symptoms if they’re caused by inflammation and autoimmune concerns.

Tools to Increase Your Mobility

If you find that your pain is causing issues with moving or remaining mobile, there are a variety of aids that can help you get around better while reducing the risk of injury. This can include things like walkers, wheelchairs, canes and braces. The goal is to ensure you’re not using these aids permanently, so you’ll likely be prescribed physical therapy as well.

Vitamin Therapy

Some cases of peripheral neuropathy can be caused by deficiencies in certain vitamins. Vitamins B and D3 are two common nutrients that the body needs for optimal nerve health. When a deficiency is present, this can actually lead to nerve damage that’s hard to reverse. Vitamin D can also be used to address nerve pain.

Kicking Your Smoking Habit

Smoking can affect how well the blood in your body circulates. Not to mention, smoking is an extremely toxic habit that doesn’t benefit your body in any way. When blood vessels narrow after smoking a cigarette, this prevents oxygenation from occurring. When you don’t have ample circulation, numbness and pain can increase when peripheral neuropathy is present. It’s important to note that vaping can have the same effect on the body. It’s not a healthier alternative to smoking by any means. Kick that smoking habit as quickly as you can to experience an improvement in your symptoms.

Rest assured, surgery may not be the only option that you have for the unpleasant symptoms that you’re experiencing due to your peripheral neuropathy. You’re encouraged to speak with your doctor about your treatment options. You can also reach out to Apex Chiropractic (https://apexchiroco.com/new-neuropathy-treatment/) to find out more about their non-invasive approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. You can find out more by calling (720) 328-1790.