What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) is the medical term used to describe damage to the peripheral nerves, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body. It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from the disease and 2 million of them have severe symptoms. The worldwide population prevalence of PN has been estimated to range from 2% to 8%, or 120 millions to 480 millions.
What are the causes and symptoms?
PN may be caused by diseases of the nerves or as the result of systemic illnesses. Many neuropathies have well-defined causes such as diabetes, uremia, AIDS, or nutritional deficiencies. In fact, diabetes is one of the most common causes of PN – it occurs in up to 50% of patients with Type I or II diabetes. Other causes may include autoimmune diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis); metabolic diseases (e.g. hypothyroidism, vitamin B deficiency); hereditary disorders (e.g. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease); infectious diseases (e.g. Lyme disease, HIV, hepatitis B); alcoholism, kidney or/and liver failures, trauma or compression of nerves, tumor growth, chemotherapy for cancer, exposure to toxic substances, and circulatory disorders. In addition to the known causes and risk factors mentioned above, in approximately 13% to 22% of patients, no underlying cause can be identified. This type of PN is called idiopathic or unknown PN. Although the causes of PN are diverse, they produce common symptoms including weakness, numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensations such as burning, tickling, pricking or tingling) and pain in the toes, balls of feet, feet, ankles, legs and/or fingers, hands, and arms.
What are the conventional treatments?
Conventional therapy for PN differs depending on the cause. For example, therapy for PN caused by diabetes involves control of the diabetes. In cases where a tumor or ruptured disc is the cause, therapy may involve surgery to remove the tumor or to repair the ruptured disc. In any case, recovery from PN is usually slow. Depending on the type of PN, the patient may fully recover without residual effects or may partially recover and have sensory, motor, and blood vessel deficits. If severely affected, the patient may develop chronic muscular atrophy. There is not one adequate, predictable, and specific treatment to control established neuropathic pain. Medications such as anti-inflammatories, anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, and narcotics are currently used to help control the pain. These medications all carry side effects, and not all medications are effective for all persons.
How and why do our complementary therapies help?
Through experience and research we combine several modalities to reduce pain and restore sensation: namely, acupuncture, laser acupuncture, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and LED photon therapy. We have found that by having multiple approaches in one treatment session, the PN patients receive longer lasting effects in the shortest duration of treatment time.
Acupuncture has long provided relief for pain, discomfort, and resulting anxiety. The needles are mainly inserted in the legs and arms. Microcurrent TENS has been shown to stimulate the release of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is essential to power the process of cell respiration, which in turn removes metabolic waste from the cell’s interior and introduces nutrients into the cell. The TENS unit is usually placed on the balls of the feet to stimulate the nerves in that area. Low-level laser, a relatively new modality in the U.S., has been used in China and Europe for decades and has been proven to activate biostimulation and regeneration on both cellular and tissue levels (see another brochure on the detailed explanations of this modality). We use laser acupuncture in areas on the toes and fingers where the laser can be most effective on the nerve tissues. Light-emitting diodes (LED), another form of therapeutic photon therapy, has recently been studied extensively by NASA and found to heal wounds quickly. Another study recently reported the results of a clinic trial which showed that the LEDs in near-infrared photo energy improved sensation in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet. We place this type of light over the top and bottom of a patient’s feet to help increase local microcirculation, which in turn reduces pain and improves sensation throughout the feet and hands.
How many treatments and how often?
Sometimes benefits are felt in the first treatment. In other cases, several treatments are needed depending on severity of the condition. We recommend a course of 12 treatments of 45-60 minutes each over a period of 4 to 6 weeks (2 to 3 treatments a week). On-going maintenance treatments are strongly recommended to sustain the benefits.
Clinic Cases …
Case 1History: Male patient W, 59-years old, complaining of foot pain. He was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy 2 years ago. First noticed numbness in the little toes, then later the balls of feet. Main symptoms are numbness, tingling, burning sensation and swelling pain. Right foot is worse. Patient denied diabetes. The cause of PN was unknown. Initial McGill pain score is 34 R and 30 L.
Diagnosis: Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy
Treatment plan: Laser acupuncture on acupoints by toes for 5 minutes each foot. Micro-TENS on balls of feet for 20 minutes. 3 times a week for 4 weeks. No acupuncture due to pain.
Results: Patient felt immediate pain relief after first treatment. McGill pain score dropped by 10 points on right foot and 5 points on left foot after 10 treatments.
Case 2
History: Female patient B, 76-years old, complained of her foot numbness and has to use canes to support herself while walking. Patient denies pain and diabetes. No known origin for her foot numbness.
Diagnosis: Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy
Treatment Plan: acupuncture, laser acupuncture on acupoints by toes, micro-TENS on balls of feet, and LED lamp over both feet. 2 times a weeks for 5 weeks.
Results: Patient walked without cane after 3 treatments! Patient completed 11 treatments. Came back 6 months later and said her feet still felt good but needed tune-ups.