What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are damaged. When these peripheral nerves are damaged, it may cause numbness, weakness, pain, or bodily dysfunctions.
Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy, but there are many other potential causes. Chronic infections, exposure to toxins, auto-immune diseases, or injuries can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is often treated with medication, wearable medical devices, physical therapy, or surgery. As new research shows that misalignments of the upper cervical spine play a big role in peripheral neuropathy, many people are opting for chiropractic care as a safe, drug-free, non-invasive alternative treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
The most common sign of peripheral neuropathy is numbness and/or tingling. Most often, this feeling will occur in the hands or feet, though the sensation may go up the arms and legs as well. As nerve damage gets more severe, patients may begin experiencing stabbing or burning pain in the extremities.
Peripheral neuropathy in the feet and legs may lead to loss of balance and coordination. In the arms and hands, it may cause the grip to weaken and reduce dexterity. These issues can make people with peripheral neuropathy more prone to accidents.
While peripheral neuropathy most often is noticed in the extremities, it can strike any part of the body. When sensory nerves are impaired, it can impede a person's ability to detect physical sensations on parts of the skin, such as touch, temperature, or vibrations. When autonomic nerves are damaged, they can interfere with functions such as digestion, bladder control, blood pressure, or heart rate regulation.
Without treatment, nerves can continue to degenerate and put a person's health at serious risk.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Contributes to Peripheral Neuropathy
Modern research indicates that there is a strong relationship between peripheral neuropathy and misalignments of the upper cervical spine. The upper cervical area consists of the seven uppermost vertebrae, which run from the base of the skull through the neck. This part of the spine is particularly vulnerable and prone to injury. Any jolts to the head, accidents, injuries, or even just poor posture can cause one of those vertebrae to slip out of proper alignment.
The upper cervical spine is close to the brain stem where it connects to the spinal cord. This is a vital area where many nerves travel from the brain throughout the body. Misalignment of the vertebrae in the neck can cause inflammation, swelling, compression, or pinching of nerves. This can damage nerves and disrupt the flow of signals, leading to peripheral neuropathy.
How We Treat Peripheral Neuropathy
At Upper Spine Knoxville, we try to get to the root of the problem to help patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Bejian Shamloo is an upper cervical specialist who utilizes state-of-the-art technology to make more precise, longer-holding, gentler chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine.
Instead of traditional 2-D X-rays, Dr. Shamloo screens patients with diagnostic tools that are revolutionizing the chiropractic field. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and advanced 3-D imaging allows for superior analysis of the region with less radiation, better image quality, and allows for more precise treatment planning.
Once the doctor can examine your unique anatomy and calculate the angles of your spine, Dr. Shamloo can apply his expert touch in gently making adjustments. Once proper alignment is restored, the body's nerve functions can flow unimpeded, and the body's natural healing mechanisms kick into gear to help repair damage and restore health. Upper cervical care provides many peripheral neuropathy patients with a safe, non-invasive, drug-free alternative treatment.
Peripheral neuropathy can degenerate, causing serious health conditions. Don't let symptoms go unattended; contact Dr. Shamloo to see if he can help nip the problem in the bud for you. Dr. Shamloo provides upper cervical chiropractic treatment for patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.
