Neuropathy happens when nerves are damaged or not working properly, which can cause numbness, weakness, tingling, or discomfort in certain areas of the body.
Neuropathy often starts in the feet and hands, but it can also affect other parts of the body.
Symptoms vary depending on the cause and the person.
They can include permanent or temporary loss of feeling, burning or tingling sensations, increased sensitivity to touch, pain, weakness, or even problems with the function of glands or organs, such as difficulty urinating or sexual dysfunction.
Types of Neuropathy
There are four main types of neuropathy that can affect the nervous system:
1.
Peripheral symmetric neuropathy: This is the most common type of neuropathy in people with diabetes.It affects the hands and feet.
2.
Autonomic neuropathy: This involves the nerves that control automatic body functions such as digestion, urination, and heart rate.
3.
Thoracic and lumbar root or proximal neuropathy: This affects nerves in specific areas of the body like the chest and legs.
4.
Mononeuropathy: This refers to damage to a single nerve.
What Causes Neuropathy?
Neuropathy can be caused by several factors including:
– Diabetes: This is the most common cause.
People with diabetes for a long time or who don’t manage their condition well are more likely to develop neuropathy.
– Vitamin deficiencies: Lack of certain vitamins like B12 and folate can lead to nerve damage.
– Autoimmune conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can cause neuropathy.
– Infections: Some infections like HIV, Lyme disease, leprosy, and syphilis can damage nerves.
– Post-herpetic neuralgia: This is a complication of shingles, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
– Alcohol-related neuropathy: Alcohol abuse and poor nutrition can damage nerves.
– Amyloidosis: This disease causes abnormal proteins to build up in organs and can lead to nerve damage.
– Uremia: A buildup of waste in the blood due to kidney failure can cause neuropathy.
– Toxins and poisons: Exposure to chemicals like lead, mercury, and pesticides can damage nerves.
– Medications: Some drugs, like chemotherapy medicines such as vincristine, can cause nerve damage.
– Trauma or injury: Nerve injury from trauma or pressure can lead to neuropathy.
– Tumors: Both good and bad tumors can press on nerves and cause damage.
– Idiopathic neuropathy: This refers to nerve damage with no known cause.
Can Acupuncture Help Treat Neuropathy?
Acupuncture can be very effective in treating and even reversing small nerve injuries in the hands and feet.
It helps reduce nerve irritation and numbness.
One of the main benefits of acupuncture is that it can help reduce the feeling of numbness and pain, as well as the sharp, burning sensation and the uncomfortable “crawling” feeling.
It also helps in healing the nerves, improving balance, and making it easier to walk on uneven surfaces and grip things like a coffee cup.
Acupuncture is particularly effective in treating neuropathy caused by chemotherapy if it is started early.
It can help restore nerve function.
Acupuncture works by placing thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system.
This helps release endorphins, which are natural painkillers in the brain, muscles, and spine.This process changes the body’s response to pain.
Acupuncture also increases blood flow to damaged nerves, helping repair them.
How Does Acupuncture Improve Neuropathy?
The main goal of acupuncture for peripheral neuropathy is to help repair and protect damaged nerves.
People with peripheral neuropathy often experience numbness and pain that can be very uncomfortable.
Walking on hard, cold surfaces like tiles can feel like walking on glass.
In peripheral neuropathy, damaged nerves in the peripheral nervous system can cause a burning, tingling, or loss of feeling in the feet and hands.
The goal is to restore the function of damaged nerves and prevent them from dying.
Acupuncture can make a big difference in this.For example, acupuncture near the fingertips can improve blood flow to small blood vessels and help the nerves work better.
Acupuncture is a good alternative therapy for neuropathy when used with traditional treatments.
It is important to choose an experienced acupuncturist who specializes in treating neuropathy.