Los Altos, CA
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Understanding Neuropathy
Neuropathy refers to nerve damage or dysfunction affecting the peripheral nerves—the vital pathways that transmit signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body. When these nerves are damaged, communication between the nervous system and your limbs, organs, and skin becomes disrupted, which can impact sensation, movement, and overall body function. Symptoms often appear in the hands or feet and can affect both the upper and lower extremities.
While neuropathy symptoms vary, common signs include burning pain, numbness, tingling, pins and needles, or hot and cold sensations. Some individuals may also experience sharp or throbbing pain, thickened skin, weakness, or difficulty with balance and coordination. Recognizing these signs early is essential. At PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness, we help you break the cycle of pain and dysfunction with personalized treatment plans that target the root cause of your wrist and hand pain—helping you restore function and prevent further complications.
Signs & Symptoms
- Nerve damage symptoms can manifest in various ways, including pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, and changes in sensation, often indicating underlying peripheral neuropathy.
- Signs of peripheral neuropathy encompass a wide array of sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunctions affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
- Tingling and numbness, particularly in the hands and feet, are common early indicators of nerve damage and may signal the onset of peripheral neuropathy.
- Burning nerve pain, a frequent and often debilitating symptom of neuropathy, can range from mild discomfort to severe, radiating sensations.
- Weakness in limbs, such as difficulty lifting objects or walking, can be a motor symptom of neuropathy affecting the nerves controlling muscle strength.
- Loss of sensation, or the reduced ability to feel touch, temperature, or pain, is a significant sensory symptom of peripheral neuropathy, increasing the risk of injury.
- Sharp nerve pain, often described as shooting or stabbing, is a characteristic symptom of certain types of neuropathy and can be intermittent or constant.
- Cold or hot feelings in the extremities, even when the actual temperature is normal, can be a sensory manifestation of nerve damage associated with neuropathy.
- Balance issues neuropathy can arise due to sensory nerve damage affecting proprioception, the body's awareness of its position in space, leading to unsteadiness.
- Coordination problems, such as difficulty with fine motor skills or clumsy movements, can result from motor and sensory nerve impairment in peripheral neuropathy.
- Foot and hand Numbness: This prevalent symptom of neuropathy can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks and may be accompanied by other abnormal sensations.
- Extremity nerve pain refers to pain felt in the arms, legs, hands, and feet due to peripheral nerve damage, a hallmark of neuropathy.
- Changes in sensation, including increased sensitivity (hyperesthesia), pain from non-painful stimuli (allodynia), or altered perception of touch, are common in neuropathy.
- Muscle weakness neuropathy occurs when nerve damage affects the motor nerves, leading to decreased strength and potential muscle atrophy.
- Neuropathy pain symptoms are diverse and can include burning, shooting, stabbing, aching, or electrical-like pain, significantly impacting quality of life.
- Early signs of neuropathy may be subtle, such as occasional tingling or mild numbness, but recognizing them is crucial for timely intervention and management.
- Progressive nerve damage in neuropathy can lead to a gradual worsening of symptoms and the involvement of more nerves over time.
- Sensory nerve issues in neuropathy involve damage to the nerves responsible for transmitting sensations like touch, temperature, pain, and vibration.
- Motor nerve problems in neuropathy affect the nerves that control muscle movement, leading to weakness, cramps, and difficulty with motor tasks.
- Autonomic neuropathy signs involve damage to the nerves controlling involuntary bodily functions, potentially affecting heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and bladder control.
Why PhysioFit Physical Therapy?
EMOTIONS YOU MAY BE FEELING
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Frustration and sadness: Neuropathy can limit daily activities, leading to emotional distress.
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Irritability, anxiety, and depression: Chronic pain from symptoms often affects mood and mental health.
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Helplessness and disappointment: Losing independence due to physical limitations can be emotionally difficult.
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Stress and worry: Unpredictable symptoms create concern about managing the condition and future outcomes.
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Fatigue and emotional lability: Poor sleep and overall wellness issues from neuropathy can make emotions harder to manage.
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TYPICAL TREATMENT
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Balances the nervous system: Vagal nerve stimulation helps correct imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, which can be disrupted in neuropathy.
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Targets "rest and digest" function: It activates the parasympathetic system (via the vagus nerve) to promote relaxation and regulation.
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Reduces symptoms: This shift can ease pain, lower inflammation, and improve blood flow to damaged nerves.
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Improves overall wellness: Benefits may include better sleep, reduced anxiety, and enhanced quality of life.
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Addresses root causes: Unlike treatments that only mask symptoms, this approach targets the underlying nervous system dysfunction linked to nerve damage.
Get your desired outcome
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Less nerve pain: Significant relief from neuropathy-related pain and discomfort.
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Improved sensation: Reduction in numbness and tingling, especially in hands and feet.
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Stronger limbs: Regained strength and better motor control in affected areas.
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Better balance: Improved coordination and reduced fall risk.
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More daily ease: Ability to enjoy everyday tasks and hobbies with fewer limitations.
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Improved sleep: Better rest due to reduced nighttime nerve pain.
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Emotional relief: Enhanced mood from managing difficult neuropathy symptoms.
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Work readiness: Improved function makes it easier to return to or continue working.
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Let's Get Started!
Move better.
Live better.
Move better. Live better.
PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness, like Los Altos itself, combines an inviting, community environment with exceptional talent. Founded and led by Kim Gladfelter, a keen, well-rounded expert of healing through movement and a dedicated team who takes a holistic approach to optimal health.
Free Guide For Anyone
Who Wants to Treat Neuropathy:
What is Neuropathy? Understanding Nerve Damage and Its Symptoms Emailed to You!
What Our Clients Say
K.T.
"The staff was fantastic! Everyone I spoke with was friendly and helpful. My therapist is AMAZING. She's incredibly articulate, intelligent, and informative. I left my appointment feeling optimistic and ready to come back for more sessions with my therapist. Thank you!"
Los Altos, CA
B.R.
"All the therapists are great they helped me so much to reduce my pain and show me what I can do and what I should do."
Los Altos, CA
