Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition caused by damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system, the network of nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. This damage disrupts the vital communication between your brain and the rest of your body.

Symptoms depend on the specific nerves affected:

  • Sensory damage often causes "pins and needles," burning pain, or numbness in the hands and feet.

  • Motor damage leads to muscle weakness or coordination issues.

  • Autonomic damage disrupts automatic functions like digestion and blood pressure.

Neuropathy is generally categorized by how it is distributed in the body or what caused the damage:

  • Mononeuropathy vs. Polyneuropathy: A mononeuropathy affects a single nerve or a specific local site, while polyneuropathy is symmetrical and involves multiple nerves, typically starting in the hands or feet.

  • Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN): This involves damage specifically to small nerve fibers that control pain, temperature, and autonomic functions. It often presents as burning, tingling, or stabbing pain that can feel worse at night.

  • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN): This is the most common form, caused by long-term high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). TCM historically refers to the underlying diabetic condition as "Xiao-ke" or "wasting and thirsting".

  • Other Causes: Neuropathy can also result from chemotherapy, autoimmune disorders, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol use, toxins, or infections like HIV.

Neuropathy is a condition we treat often. A multi-pronged approach - incorporating acupuncture, electrical stimulation, neuro-acupuncture, and herbs - has been found to be the most effective strategy. Our general recommendation is a course of 12 treatments over a period of six weeks. However, some patients get better right from the get-go.

We have been treating a patient suffering from sudden onset neuropathy affecting all four limbs. She has been given the diagnosis of Small Fiber Neuropathy. She had severe, debilitating symptoms of burning pain, tingling and weaknness. She started to improve right from the start. After three treatments symptoms are calmed and the affected areas reduced. She just reported that she actually went on a three-mile walk.

“After one acupuncture session my small fiber neuropathy was better: the extent of area involved was lessened and the amount of pain was greatly reduced. And, with further sessions I have continued to improve. What a great outcome!” - Mary S