Diabetes and Neuropathy

Diabetes and Neuropathy

Diabetes and Neuropathy

Diabetes can harm your nerves. That nerve damage, called neuropathy, can sometimes be painful. Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve condition that causes tingling, numbing and tickling in the legs and feet. While diabetes causes approximately 30% of peripheral neuropathy cases, peripheral neuropathy occurs in nearly 60% of diabetes patients. Due to this, the need for safe and effective treatment options is steadily increasing. In the past, treatments have usually relied on drug therapies, however, today there are advances in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy with chiropractic care. This offers patients a better way to manage and treat their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

How your chiropractor can help

Chiropractors are experts when it comes to the intricacies of the brain- nervous system connection. It, therefore, makes perfect sense that the individualized care plans through your chiropractor would be extremely effective in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. It is important to remember that drug-related and pharmaceutical treatment only addresses the symptoms of the disease – failing to address the bigger problem. Chiropractic care differs in the sense that it addresses and treats the underlying cause. This brings with it several benefits including pain management. At Modern Chiropractic and Pain Relief, we believe that early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the severity of the motor nerve and sensory nerve damage. In addition to this, early diagnosis and treatment will also help patients with the management of the disease as a whole.

Chiropractic care for diabetics

If you have diabetes and your blood glucose levels are not controlled and have been high for an extended period of time, the blood vessels that carry oxygen to your nerves can become damaged.  Elevated blood glucose can also damage the sheath that covers and protects the nerves. This leaves them vulnerable to damage.

Essentially, neuropathy experienced by those who have diabetes is a result of the nerve damage that is caused by elevated blood glucose levels.

If the peripheral nervous system is damaged you may experience

  • Numbness in the arms, hands, legs and feet
  • Inability to feel heat, cold or even pain in the arms, hands, legs and feet
  • Burning or tingling or even the “pins and needles” sensation
  • Changes in the shape of your feet caused by weakened muscles
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

Chiropractic care for diabetic neuropathy patients usually involves correcting misalignments in the spine.  These misalignments can have a negative effect on the nervous system and internal organs – including the pancreas, a direct link to diabetes.

Your chiropractor will also focus on your alignment as correct alignment of your bones, muscles and nerve stimulation are all important aspects of successful treatment of neuropathy experienced as a result of diabetes.

Your chiropractic care will be ongoing as your chiropractor will need to monitor your condition and follow up with you on a regular basis.

If you have diabetes and suspect you may have enveloped peripheral neuropathy as a result, schedule an appointment as soon as you can with Modern Chiropractic and Pain Relief. We will be able to assess the situation and provide a treatment plan if necessary. Remember early detection and treatment is key to decreasing the severity of this disease.

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