Why do my feet tingle?
20 million people suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) in the United States according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke, and approximately 60% of patients who suffer from diabetes progress to develop peripheral neuropathy, (PN). Peripheral Neuropathy can also be caused by discogenic conditions such as herniated or degenerated discs, spinal arthritis, or spinal degeneration, chemotherapy, autoimmune disorders, nutritional imbalances, poor health, tumors and can even be hereditary. Early detection can prevent further complications.
Neuropathy is a condition of the nerves that can cause numbing and tingling in the hands, fingers, feet and toes (extremities). Other symptoms that arise from this condition are throbbing, prickling, cold or freezing sensations trouble walking, balance and coordination are often problems as well. Dunsky Rehabilitation and Spine Center has been treating Peripheral Neuropathy for 16 years and recently, has brought in new technology to speed up the healing process for the condition.
Most of the peripheral neuropathy patients Dr Dunsky treats, suffer from the condition that is caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, spinal degeneration (which has been coined, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, meaning no known cause. Dunsky Rehabilitation and Spine Center treats the condition using the latest science and technology to give the body the best chance at recovery. Dr Dunsky’s goal is to not only treat the pain and symptoms that are the result of peripheral neuropathy, but the to get to the cause itself and not just mask the symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause damage in the nerves that allow the brain to communicate to other parts of the body. We see many head injuries from falls due to the poor communication from the brain to the stabilizing musculature which helps prevent falls.
Our clinic does not use any medication nor any invasive therapies that can harm the body. Typically, medications are prescribed in order to help manage symptoms, when in fact they only mask the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Common medications that are prescribed for peripheral neuropathy are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), anti-seizure medications such as Gabapentin, Neurontin and Lyrica, and tricyclic antidepressants such as, Amitriptyline, Cymbalta and Cymbalta. Almost all of our patients have tried one or many of the medications listed below to increase the quality of their life with this debilitating condition. Unfortunately, most patients we see report no change in their symptoms even with the medication. The few that have had some relief with medication, report that the relief was only slight and for a few months at best.
While there is no cure for peripheral neuropathy, the therapies we offer in our program have been shown to be very effective at increasing the quality of our patient’s lives. Our treatment program targets the cause of the problem and does not just mask the symptoms.
Most treatment programs merely try to cover up the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. In doing so, they are ignoring the larger problem. Dr Dunsky usually begins with a consultation which includes a thorough history. He conducts a comprehensive physical examination which includes orthopedic and neurological testing in order to determine a course of treatment. Science shows us that nerves do have the capacity to regenerate and heal. Providing the most conducive environment is essential to support the bodies capacity to get better.
-Joshua Dunsky, DC