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Center for Spine and Sport Rehab | Patient Education

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that results in damage 2 to your peripheral nerves, usually in hands and feet. This handout is designed to provide more information about this health condition and help you better manage it.

What causes Neuropathy? utilizes several different types of electrical currents Acquired neuropathies. Known causes include: , during the treatment period based on the symptoms alcoholism, poor nutrition, chemotherapy, autoimmune you currently have such as hypersensitivity (burning, diseases, certain medications, kidney or thyroid diseases, shooting) and hyposensitivity (numbness). 1,2 such as , , or AIDS. Idiopathic • Laser/LED-A manual treatment technique involving neuropathies are from an unknown cause. One-third of all light being absorbed by the body’s tissue. This light neuropathies are classified in this way.3 helps stimulate the tissue and increase circulation; which in turn helps improve the function of the What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?2 tissues. • Gradual onset of numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, which may spread upward into your legs and arms What are the Goals of Treatment? • Sharp, jabbing, or burning Resolution or Decreased numbness or hypersensitivity in • Extreme sensitivity to touch the feet to allow you to return to activities that are • Lack of coordination and falling limited due to your current symptoms. Symptoms may • Muscle weakness return if one does not consistently treat the condition; the estim cannot cure the neuropathy and is best for long- What are the different types of neuropathy?2 term treatment.

• Diabetic Neuropathy - A type of peripheral neuropathy specific to patients who have diabetes, caused by lack of blood flow to Personal Involvement Needed. the nerves due to elevated and uncontrolled blood sugar levels. One of the most important expectations of this If left untreated, diabetic neuropathy can lead to debilitating treatment is your involvement in your care. You will be nerve damage and balance issues (Hayes 23). managing this condition on a long-term basis and it is of • Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy - Nerve utmost importance that you are aware of this. It will be damage due to treating , including chemotherapy, your responsibility to keep a daily journal. The daily which can be aggressive to the point of heavily impacting a journal is to be utilized as a way to monitor symptoms person’s health and quality of life (Hayes 133). and progress. Individualized self-care is the next • Toxic Neuropathy - Nerve damage caused by exposure to important aspect. You are number one when it comes to your care and the design of this treatment is to allow you toxic substances. The two most common causes of toxic 2 neuropathy are drug/alcohol abuse and exposure to chemicals to maintain your symptoms independently. on the job (Hayes 104). References: • Compressive Neuropathy - A type of peripheral neuropathy 1. NeuropathyDR: Neuropathy Lincoln Website. caused by direct pressure on a specific nerve that can be http://www.neuropathylincolnnebraska.com Published 2013. caused by injury, trauma, or repetitive use such as carpal Updated January 5, 2015. Accessed January 3, 2015. 2. Hayes J. I Beat Neuropathy! Getting Your Life Back on Track. tunnel and sciatica (Hayes 53). Outskirts Press Inc. 2013 3. Peripheral Neuropathy. Mayo Clinic. What are the Various Treatment Options? http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral- neuropathy/basics. Accessed January 2015. • NDGen- An electrical stimulation unit which stimulates the 4. Peripheral Neuropathy. WebMD. nerves, allowing them to self-repair and begin to http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-peripheral- communicate more efficiently with other tissues. The device neuropathy-basics. Accessed January 2015.

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