Chinese Acupuncture Clinic
Call Today 719-634-1669
Chinese Acupuncture Clinic
Call Today 719-634-1669
Acupuncture and Peripheral Neuropathy
By Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM
For some people it is experienced as the uncomfortable sensation of "pins and needles" or burning pain (especially at night) of their hands or feet. Others may suffer even more extreme symptoms such as muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction.
With more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathies in existence, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis, the symptoms can vary as much as the cause. Nevertheless, Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that can be treated with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body.
In most cases, peripheral neuropathy is secondary to conditions including diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, AIDS, or poisoning from heavy metals, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or various drugs.
Other causes include compression or entrapment (carpal tunnel syndrome), direct physical injury to a nerve (trauma), penetrated injuries, fractures or dislocated bones, pressure involving superficial nerves (ulna or radial) which can result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in same position, tumor, intraneural hemorrhage, exposure to cold, radiation or atherosclerosis.
It is a syndrome which includes symptoms of numbness, tingling, pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, burning pain, and muscle weakness and atrophy of the arms and legs. The feet and legs are likely to be affected before the hands and arms.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include:
1.numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature
2.a tingling, burning, or prickling sensation
3.sharp, burning pain or cramps
4.extreme sensitivity to touch, even a light touch
5.loss of balance and coordination
6.muscle weakness and muscle wasting
7.paralysis
These symptoms are often worse at night.Many people have signs of neuropathy
upon examination but have no symptoms at all.
Traditional Chinese medicine teaches
that Peripheral neuropathy is due to dampness moving to the limbs, where it obstructs
the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood within them. The treatment is twofold, to treat the
underlying factor that is causing this dampness to accumulate and to directly facilitate
the circulation of Qi and Blood in the affected area. By improving the circulation,
the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and
reduce pain.
Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom for many
different patterns of disharmony within the body. Oriental Medicine aims to treat each
individual uniquely depending on what caused the neuropathy and how it manifests.
Your acupuncturist may do an interview and
ask questions about how, what, where and when you feel pain, perspire, sleep, eat, drink
and exercise, to name a few. The practitioner may also feel the pulse and observing the
tongue. This interview and physical examination will help create a clear picture on which
your practitioners can create a treatment plan specifically for you.
For more information, please call the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic at 719-634-1669
to schedule an appointment to consult with our doctor . How can acupuncture treat peripheral neuropathy?