Neuropathy Chiropractor: A Complete Guide to Natural Healing

Damage to the peripheral nerves is generally recognized as neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy. Consequently, symptoms such as discomfort, loss of strength, and tingling sensations especially in the toes and fingers develop. These observable effects of neuropathy may hamper an individual’s normal routine due to the physical limitations experienced in activities such as ambulation, employment, or even restful sleep. It remains possible to alleviate symptoms to a tolerable extent once a workable course of treatment has been established irrespective of whether or not such a course is surgical. There are multiple options available in this scenario, one of which is chiropractic care.

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy refers to damage inflicted to the peripheral nerve system consisting of all nerves that carry messages to the body from the brain and spinal cord. It results in the alteration of the nerves and in this case, all communication with the brain is disrupted – causing pain. And, external/internal (injuries, bounds, viral infections, metabolic illnesses such as diabetes, and even poisonous substances) are causes of neuropathy.

The Signs and Symptoms of Neuropathy.

The indications of Neuropathy vary according to the type and extent of nerve injury but usually involve:

• A burning or tingling sensation or a feeling of pin and needles, which is quite uncomfortable.
• The inability to feel hands, feet or any other parts of the body.
• Pain that has a feel of a needle prick or an electric current.
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, even against soft clothing or bedding.
• Inadequate strength of the muscles or difficulty controlling balance.

Understanding the Role of Neuropathy Chiropractor

Most forms of treatment with chiropractic care can be rendered effective to cure neuropathy as it basically concerns the spine and the nerves. As are believes, most of the neuropathy symptoms are heightened if the spine is misaligned or subluxation which further compresses certain nerves.

How Chiropractic Care Works

To treat compressed nerves, chiropractors apply spinal adjustments to improve the position of the vertebral column. Displaced vertebrae cause irritation and therefore the symptoms of neuropathy are worsened. The discomfort caused by the tissues is targeted by the chiropractor and the controlled movement re-establishes the normal position of the vertebrae and thus allows the nervous system to communicate well with the other body parts.

Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Neuropathy

Chiropractors are known for treating conditions like neuropathy in the following ways: 

• Pain management: Pain caused by the neuropathy is alleviated, which relieves pressure on the affected nerves, through chiropractic manipulations. 
• Increased Movement: Chiropractic interventions improve the range of motion of a patient, thus enhancing his or her performance of various customary tasks. 
• Non intrusive: In instances when surgical procedures or medications are eliminated, chiropractic care stands out as the safest mode of treatment with minimum or no adverse effects. 
• Comprehensive strategy: Physical therapy is accompanied with education on healthy lifestyles and nutrition that assist in improving the health status of the patients.

The Causes of Neuropathy

It is necessary to delve deeper into the causes of neuropathy to come up with appropriate management plans. It has been established that neurological conditions can be caused by numerous pathologies and lifestyle practices, many of which can be addressed effectively through chiropractic manipulation of the spine and enhancing the general health of the nervous system.

Diabetes and Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the complications that diabetics have, and it is the most anticipated. Diabetes, above all high blood sugar levels, affects the nerves, more so those in the legs. Recent findings indicated that it is caused by a form of nerve injury that is common among diabetics and is termed as diabetic neuropathy. This disease affects millions of people across the globe. Diabetic patients with neuropathy have their nerve function improved by chiropractic spinal manipulation and pain alleviated.

Other Causes of Neuropathy

Because it comes in many forms, neuropathy cannot be confined to a single reason, as it may also be a result of:

• Injuries: Traumatic injuries may result in compression or injury of nerves and later neuropathy.
• Infections: Certain viruses such as the one causing shingles or Lyme’s Disease causing microorganisms can damage healthy nerves.
• Vitamin deficiencies: The deficiency of certain vitamins particularly the B vitamin complex can lead to the malfunctioning of the nerves.
• Alcoholism: It is the disease which when carrying out alcohol more than the normal amount one loses the feeling in parts of the body due to destroyed weak nerves withdrawn alcohol – alcoholic neuropathy.
• Autoimmune diseases: There are also diseases like arthritis or lupus where the defense mechanism of the body produces antibodies instead of guarding the body and attacks the nerves instead.

The Role of a Neuropathy Chiropractor

A chiropractor who specializes in neuropathy mainly concentrates on the function of nerves and hence treating and diagnosing the different conditions that are associated with the provision and operation of the nervous system. These specialists generally make the spine to be their primary focus where the use of medicines is avoided in the relief of the pain caused by the nerves and enhancing the body’s innate healing capacity.

How Chiropractors Approach Neuropathy Treatment

Chiropractors view neuropathy as a multistep process and try to address all the fibrosis. In addition to spinal adjustments, they may incorporate changes in diet, exercises or suggest physical therapy, to enhance the functioning of the nerves. Other adjunct therapists may also be utilized in this approach in order to relieve symptoms or enhance blood flow such as massage or acupuncture.

Chiropractic Techniques for Neuropathy

They employ various techniques for neuropathy treatment depending on the condition and its respective clinical presentation.

Spinal Adjustment

The foundations of chiropractic therapy are spinal manipulations. These are hands-on procedures that enable the professionals like the joint chiropractor or scoliosis chiropractor, to shift the bones in the spine that are out of place so as to reduce the pressure on a certain nerve. The amount of interference suffered by the nerve pathways is directly proportional to the level of pain, the person’s ability to function and the general status of the individual.

Nerve Decompression

For patients who suffer from pinched nerves, decompression procedures are often employed. This includes gently pulling the spine, which increases the space between the vertebrae, taking the pressure off the nerves and allowing for more efficient healing.

Cold Laser Therapy

Like laser therapy for gum diseases, low level laser treatment or laser therapy, cold laser therapy is a non-intrusive treatment for the enhancement of cell rejuvenation and inflammation reduction. This treatment technique employs low-level lasers to the areas of interest promoting healing from within. Many chiropractors regard cold laser therapy as an efficient method when treating a patient suffering from neuropathy.

Can Chiropractic Care Cure Neuropathy?

Typically chiropractic treatment would be more focused on alleviating the symptoms of the condition and enhancing the affected individual’s quality of life rather than finding a cure for neuropathy. 

Chiropractic Care as a Treatment Option

 Chiropractors search for the underlying cause of the neuropathy rather than simply treat the symptoms as would be the practice in case there are compressive or displaced bones. There is considerable evidence that chiropractic treatment works and restores the function of the nerves in question and even reduces some of the excruciating pains related to neuropathy. 

What Chiropractic Care Can and Cannot Do

A chiropractor’s treatment will help to suppress the complications and increase the normal functioning of the nervous system. Nevertheless, this type of therapy is unlikely to yield results in cases of complicated or long-lasting neuropathy when the nerves are severely injured. However, a great many people continue to seek chiropractic treatments for symptom relief and to prevent further development of the disease.

Holistic Approach to Neuropathy Treatment

Taking care of neuropathy entails both changes in the lifestyle of the patient and doing chiropractic procedures. Other treatment options such as nutrition and activity can help along with chiropractic treatment and enhance the body’s healing abilities.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Most chiropractors would recommend certain foods or dietary patterns to support nerve health, or even avoid certain foods altogether. Neurons can benefit from the use of antioxidants, vitamins and healthy trying oils since they can speed up the process of healing the nerves. Diabetic clients are to avoid most of the processed diets especially the refined sugars.

Physical Therapy and Exercise

The role of physical therapist and light to moderate exercises involves improving peripheral blood flow and peripheral nerve functions thereby also reducing nerve pain and rigidity. Most of the patients are encouraged by the chiropractor to follow an exercise regimen which will help keep the nerves active but without the risk of overstrain and overstretching.

Neuropathy Chiropractor vs. Traditional Medicine for Neuropathy

In the issue of rehabilitative approaches for neuropathy, the patients are confronted with two alternative approaches, namely chiropractic care and traditional medicine. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and their best treatment alternatives differ from one case to another.

Comparison of Chiropractic Care and Medications

Under conventional treatment regimens, oral medications including pain relievers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants are indicated for the relief of neuropathy signs and symptoms. Such medications do alleviate the pain for a while, but they are associated with numerous side effects and treatment does not actually take place. On the other hand in chiropractic treatment, the concern is how to fix the problems without the use of any medication.

The Pros and Cons of Both Approaches

• Chiropractic treatment: This is a form of treatment that does not involve cuttings and drugs as it is aimed at addressing the main cause of the problem damaging the nerves instead of superficial treatments that deal with the effects. 

• Traditional medicine: Relieves not only the discomfort experienced in the short run but may also in most instances require further medication to be prescribed for a longer duration and has side effects..

Conclusion

For those who suffer from neuropathy symptoms and seek a more natural remedy, chiropractic care is their best option. While it might not help eliminate all for all, there is improvement in the nerve function and pain levels. Most practitioners dealing with diabetic neuropathy patients rely on such elements as nutrition, physical activity, spinal cord adjustment and other treatment techniques so that the patients can live a more active and healthier life. If you belong to a group of individuals who have been found to suffer from neuropathy, seeking help from a chiropractor who specializes in neuropathy treatment may be the first step towards managing the distress naturally without taking any medication.