Peripheral neuropathy results from damaged or diseased nerves that connect to the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nerves are responsible for carrying information to and from the brain. When the nerve is diseased such as in a neuropathy, pain is evident as well as the loss and inability to control muscles.
In order to better understand the condition that arises from peripheral neuropathy we must first understand the meaning of the word. The word peripheral refers to the nerves that go out from the center of the body and move out from the brain and spinal cord. The word neuro refers to the nerves and pathy means abnormal. Quite simply put, the central nervous system consists of your brain and spinal cord. All the other nerves in your body are part of the peripheral nervous system.
When the nerves are damaged or diseased it will affect the following:
- Motor nerves which control your muscles and how they move
- Sensory nerves that receive feeling signals such as heat, pain or touch
- Autonomic nerves that control blood pressure, heart rate, digestion and bladder functions
Peripheral neuropathy symptoms will vary and mainly depend on the nerves that are affected. Some of the signs and symptoms to be aware of are the following:
- Burning sensation and pain
- Loss of coordination
- Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain
- Sensitivity to touch, especially light touch
- Gradual onset of numbness and tingling beginning in the feet and hands and possibly moving upward to the legs and arms
- Bladder dysfunction
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis
- Difficulty breathing
- Itching
- Decreased blood pressure
- Difficulty swallowing
If the peripheral neuropathy is a result of nerve compression or impingement, chiropractic may be able to help with the symptoms. A neurological examination is performed by the chiropractic to determine if indeed a nerve is impinged. With chiropractic manipulations called adjustments, the misalignment causing the impingement is removed. The misalignment or impingement is referred to a verterbral subluxation. Once the subluxation is corrected the nerves are released and the messages that the respective nerves supply will be able to reach their destinations without disruption.
Along with chiropractic treatments, exercise is recommended to reduce the spasms and posture is altered to relieve the stress that was placed on the nerves. Other treatments such as physical therapy may be suggested as well as switching to a more balanced diet in order to control the disease. Some neuropathy are associated with diseases such as diabetes and diet will definitely help with those conditions.
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