Peripheral Neuropathy and the Nervous System
March 1, 2010
Peripheral neuropathy is the term used to describe damaged nerves of the peripheral nervous system. The most common form, called (symmetrical) peripheral polyneuropathy, mostly affects the feet and the legs.
People suffering from neuropathy frequently describe weakness, loss of muscle and fine muscle twitching as symptoms. However, other more specific symptoms may vary. These symptoms vary because they depend on the types of nerves that have been damaged and where the damage has taken place in the body. For example, common symptoms of a damaged motor nerve are muscle weakness, cramps and spasms. While symptoms associated with damage to the sensory nerve are tingling, numbness and pain. The sensory nerve produces pain that can be described as burning, freezing, electric or extremely sensitive to touch. Damage to the autonomic nerve can result in abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
Neuropathy is a progressive disorder meaning the damage it causes to the nerves progressively gets worse over time.
The majority, about 70%, of the patients treated for neuropathy at Hudson Center for Spinal Care (HCSC) have developed it as a result of nerve damage due to having diabetes. The other 30% varies in the origination of their neuropathy. Some have spinal injuries such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Others developed it after radiation treatments for cancer or from chemotherapy.
Though situations vary, most of the patients explore other available treatments prior to walking through the doors of HCSC. Many have tried various pain medications to help alleviate their pains symptoms. Others have tried prescription drugs, such as Neurotin, which help calm down the hypo/hyper sensitivety of the nerves in hopes to relieve the numbness and pain they experience. Physical therapy is also a common path taken. Unfortunately, many neuropathy patients have limited or temporary success with these treatments.
It is usually after these failed attempts to find comfort and rid themselves of their neuropathy symptoms that they come to HCSC. The treatments here are different from the others because they are painless and non-invasive. Depending on the particular case, patients receive low-light laser therapy, vibration therapy and specified chiropractic and physical therapies. In most cases, patients experience relief with just one treatment.
The severity of each case is different. To find out if you are a candidate for treatment at HCSC, a comprehensive examination and consultation would be necessary. Call one of our two New Jersey locations and set up an appointment. For our Bayonne location call 201-339-8889 or for our Scotch Plains location call 908-490-1800. Just tell them you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 value). During this time the examination and consultation will be offered all of your questions will be answered.
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC
Dr. Chludzinski has been treating neuropathic conditions for the past 5 years. He is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ, graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services all of Union and Hudson counties, including Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison, Kearny, Newark, Elizabeth, Westfield, Clark, Fanwood, Plainfield, Watchung, Mountainside, Berkeley Heights and South Plainfield.
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