Los Altos, CA
Understanding Neuropathy
Neuropathy, at its core, refers to nerve damage or nerve dysfunction affecting the peripheral nerves. These vital nerves act as communication pathways, transmitting signals between your central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the rest of your body, including your limbs, organs, and skin. When these peripheral nerves are damaged, this crucial communication network is disrupted, leading to a wide range of symptoms. Understanding peripheral neuropathy as a condition impacting the body's ability to relay information is key to recognizing its potential effects on sensation, movement, and overall bodily function.
Experiencing neuropathy, which involves damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves, can significantly impact communication between the spinal cord and the skin and muscles these nerves serve. Symptoms of nerve damage can manifest in the upper extremities, including the hands, or in the lower extremities and feet. It's important to note that neuropathy symptoms can vary widely from person to person. However, some of the most common indicators include sensations such as burning pain, numbness, tingling, a pins and needles feeling, or the experience of cold or hot sensations. Some individuals may also notice thick skin, sharp pain, and/or throbbing pain. Beyond sensory changes, neuropathy can also lead to weakness and difficulties with loss of coordination and balance. Recognizing these potential signs of nerve problems is the first step towards seeking appropriate care and management.
How do you know what to do to avoid further complications and promote healing? Our team at PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness is here to help you break this cycle and find effective relief. We offer personalized treatment plans designed to address the root cause of your wrist and hand pain and restore function.
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, a 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
- Dealing with neuropathy can evoke a range of emotions, including frustration and sadness due to limitations in daily activities.
- The chronic pain associated with neuropathy can often lead to feelings of irritability, anxiety, and even depression.
- Experiencing loss of independence due to neuropathy-related functional limitations can trigger feelings of helplessness and disappointment.
- The unpredictable nature of neuropathy symptoms can contribute to stress and worry about the future and managing the condition.
- The impact of neuropathy on sleep and overall well-being can contribute to increased fatigue and emotional lability.
.png "what_to_expect_(1).png")
.png "what_to_expect_(2).png")
TYPICAL TREATMENT
- Vagal nerve stimulation offers a promising avenue for addressing neuropathy by aiming to correct imbalances within the autonomic nervous system. This system comprises two key branches: the sympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness; and the parasympathetic nervous system, known as the "rest and digest" system, which promotes relaxation, slows heart rate, and aids in digestion. In neuropathy, these systems can become dysregulated, potentially contributing to pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.
- Vagal stimulation, by activating the vagus nerve – a major component of the parasympathetic system – helps to shift the balance back towards a state of calm and regulation. This modulation can lead to several benefits in managing nerve pain and associated issues, including reduced inflammation, improved blood flow to affected nerves, and a potential decrease in the intensity of neuropathic pain. Furthermore, by promoting overall nervous system regulation, vagal nerve stimulation may also contribute to improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and enhanced well-being in individuals living with neuropathy. This holistic approach targets not just the symptoms but the underlying nervous system dysfunction often associated with nerve damage.
Get your desired outcome
- Achieving significant reduction in nerve pain and discomfort associated with neuropathy.
- Experiencing improved sensation and reduced numbness or tingling in the hands and feet due to neuropathy management.
- Regaining strength and improved motor function in limbs affected by neuropathy-related weakness.
- Attaining better balance and coordination to reduce the risk of falls associated with peripheral neuropathy.
- Returning to performing daily activities and hobbies with greater ease and less limitation from neuropathy symptoms.
- Achieving improved sleep quality by reducing nighttime nerve pain and discomfort caused by neuropathy.
- Achieving greater emotional well-being by effectively managing the challenging symptoms of neuropathy.
- Returning to work or maintaining employment by improving functional abilities impacted by neuropathy.
.png "what_to_expect_(3).png")
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
