Better Nerve Health: Understanding Neuropathy

Better Nerve Health: Supportive Integrative Care and Chiropractic Insights on Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Neuropathy occurs when nerves are damaged or don’t function properly. These nerves send signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. When something goes wrong, it can lead to pain, numbness, or other issues that affect daily life. At Chiropractic Scientist, we focus on how spinal health plays a big role in nerve function. Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, explains that spinal misalignments can compress nerves, causing or worsening neuropathy. This article explores the main types, causes, symptoms, and management options for it through chiropractic and functional medicine.

Nerves act like the body’s wiring system. Damage can come from many things, but often, it’s linked to spine problems like herniated discs or sciatica. Millions deal with neuropathy, especially if they have diabetes or injuries. Early care is key. Here at our El Paso clinic, we use evidence-based methods to help nerves heal and reduce pain without relying solely on drugs.

The Four Main Types of Neuropathy

Different forms of neuropathy arise depending on the specific nerves affected and their location. There are four key types: peripheral, autonomic, focal, and proximal. Each can benefit from chiropractic adjustments that ease nerve pressure (Verywell Health, 2023; Yale Medicine, n.d.).

• Peripheral Neuropathy: Hits nerves in hands, feet, arms, and legs. It often starts with tingling or burning. Chiropractic care can help by correcting spinal misalignments that affect these nerves, potentially alleviating symptoms such as tingling or burning in the hands, feet, arms, and legs (University of Maryland Medical Center, n.d.; Spine Correction Center, n.d.).
• Autonomic Neuropathy: Affects nerves that control organs, such as those involved in digestion or heart rate. Symptoms include stomach issues or dizziness. Functional medicine at our clinic addresses nutrition to support these nerves, including specific vitamins and minerals known to promote nerve health and reduce symptoms associated with autonomic neuropathy (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Diabetes.org, n.d.).
• Focal Neuropathy: Targets one nerve or group, often in the face or leg. It can cause sudden weakness. Adjustments and therapies such as laser therapy can target these spots (Cadense, n.d.; Idaho Pain Relief, n.d.).
• Proximal Neuropathy: Impacts the hips, thighs, or shoulders, leading to pain or weakness. This type is closely linked to spine issues, where chiropractic shines in providing relief (Aegis Medical Group, 2017; Texas Spine and Sports Therapy, n.d.).

Understanding your type helps us create a custom plan. For sciatica—a common neuropathy—we use adjustments to free trapped nerves.

Common Causes of Neuropathy

Many things can damage nerves, but spine-related issues are a big factor. Diabetes tops the list, as high sugar harms nerves over time (WebMD, n.d.; NHS, n.d.). Infections such as shingles and autoimmune diseases can also attack nerves (Yale Medicine, n.d.; Florida Medical Clinic, n.d.).

Other causes include:

• Vitamin Shortages: Low B vitamins weaken nerves. We recommend supplements to rebuild them (Century Medical & Dental Center, n.d.).
• Injuries: Accidents or repetitive moves compress nerves. Auto accidents often lead to this, and our personal injury program helps (Achilles Neurology, n.d.).
• Toxins or Meds: Chemicals or drugs, such as chemo, can trigger it, leading to symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the affected areas. Functional tests detect these triggers (Pfizer Health Answers, n.d.).
• Genes: Some inherit nerve weaknesses. We use research to guide care (BMT InfoNet, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez sees many cases of poor posture or stress compressing nerves. At Chiropractic Scientist, we address root causes like inflammation from diet or hormones (Jimenez, n.d.a; Jimenez, n.d.b).

Symptoms of Nerve Damage

Symptoms depend on the nerves affected, but can disrupt work or sleep. Tingling or burning pain is common, often in the feet or hands (South Miami Urology, n.d.; University of Maryland Medical Center, n.d.).

Key signs:

• Sensory: Pins and needles, numbness, or extra sensitivity.
• Muscle: Weakness, cramps, or trouble walking.
• Autonomic: Gut problems, bladder issues, or blood pressure changes.
• Pain: Sharp or constant aches, worse at night (Spine Correction Center, n.d.; Idaho Pain Relief, n.d.).

For focal, it might be face droop; proximal could mean thigh pain. Dr. Jimenez notes loss of balance from spinal-nerve links, which is treatable with adjustments (Jimenez, n.d.a).

Can Neuropathy Be Reversed?

Some neuropathies last long-term, but others improve with care. Vitamin deficiencies or infection types often fully reverse (Achilles Neurology, n.d.; Neon Clinics, n.d.; Florida Medical Clinic, n.d.).

Factors:

• Reversible: Stop meds or fix vitamins, and nerves heal.
• Partial: Control diabetes to slow damage.
• Permanent: Advanced cases need management (Verywell Health, 2023; NHS, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez’s “Neuro-Gen” method reverses symptoms by reducing inflammation and fixing alignments, per his observations (Jimenez, n.d.b).

Treatment Options for Managing Neuropathy

We aim to ease symptoms and fix causes. Meds help pain, but we prefer natural ways (NHS, n.d.; Mayo Clinic, 2023). Therapy builds strength; braces aid weak spots.

Changes that help:

• Diet/Exercise: Balanced eating and movement boost blood flow.
• Therapies: Acupuncture or TENS for relief.
• Supplements: B vitamins for nerve support (Century Medical & Dental Center, n.d.).

Surgery is a last resort; we focus on non-invasive.

Integrative Chiropractic Care for Neuropathy

At Chiropractic Scientist, we use a team approach with experts like Dr. Jimenez (DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP). This includes adjustments, nutrition (sugar detox), and functional medicine (Pain and Wellness Institute, n.d.; Premier Chiro TX, n.d.; Brentwood HP Chiro, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez, with 30+ years of experience, blends chiropractic care, electro-acupuncture, and shockwave therapy for nerve repair. His sciatica protocols reduce inflammation via diet and adjustments. Patients see less pain and better movement. We assess genetics, gut health, and hormones for full care (Jimenez, n.d.a; Jimenez, n.d.b).

For neuropathy like sciatica, we use MET and laser. Contact us at 915-850-0900 for a plan.

Neuropathy doesn’t have to limit you. With chiropractic and functional insights, relief is possible. Visit Chiropractic Scientist for more or schedule today.

References

Achilles Neurology. (n.d.). Can peripheral neuropathy be reversed?

Aegis Medical Group. (2017). What is neuropathy?

BMT InfoNet. (n.d.). Neuropathy: What it is and how to treat it.

Brentwood HP Chiro. (n.d.). Neuropathy.

Cadense. (n.d.). What is focal neuropathy?

Century Medical & Dental Center. (n.d.). 6 dietary supplements that can improve neuropathy.

Diabetes.org. (n.d.). Additional types of neuropathy.

Florida Medical Clinic. (n.d.). Can neuropathy be reversed?

Idaho Pain Relief. (n.d.). Types of neuropathy.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.a). Dr. Alex Jimenez.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.b). Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN ?.

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Peripheral neuropathy.

Neon Clinics. (n.d.). Neuropathy.

NHS. (n.d.). Peripheral neuropathy: Causes.

NHS. (n.d.). Peripheral neuropathy: Treatment.

Pain and Wellness Institute. (n.d.). Can chiropractic care help my neuropathy?

Pfizer Health Answers. (n.d.). About peripheral neuropathy.

Premier Chiro TX. (n.d.). Understanding neuropathy and effective treatment options.

South Miami Urology. (n.d.). Neuropathy: Types, symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Spine Correction Center. (n.d.). 5 types of neuropathy and what to do about them.

Texas Spine and Sports Therapy. (n.d.). What are the different types of neuropathy?

University of Maryland Medical Center. (n.d.). Peripheral neuropathy.

Verywell Health. (2023). Neuropathy types.

WebMD. (n.d.). Understanding peripheral neuropathy basics.

Yale Medicine. (n.d.). Neuropathy.