Neuropathy

Nerve compression, damage, or dysfunction can result in neuropathy, causing pain and unpleasant sensations such as prickling and burning. If you have neuropathy symptoms, visit Steven Zimmerman, DC, of Zimmerman Chiropractic in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Zimmerman uses chiropractic care and other innovative solutions to neuropathy that relieve pain and restore function. For expert neuropathy treatment, call Zimmerman Chiropractic today or book an appointment online.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition of the peripheral nerves that branch out from your spinal cord throughout your body. Neuropathy develops when one or more of the peripheral nerves isn’t functioning properly. Symptoms of neuropathy include:

• Pain (often shooting, stabbing, or electric-shock-like)
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Tingling
• Prickling
• Burning sensations
• Muscle spasms
• Decreased range of motion
• Balance problems

The symptoms you experience vary depending on which nerves are affected.

What causes neuropathy?

Neuropathy has numerous possible causes, including:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Post-herpetic neuralgia (from shingles)
• Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Connective tissue disorders
• Diabetes
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• Lyme disease
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Bone marrow disorders
• Kidney and liver disease
• Exposure to toxins
• Vitamin B and E deficiency

Nerve injury or compression can also cause neuropathy. Trauma could damage the nerve, or a tumor, bone spur, thickened ligament, misaligned vertebra or joint. Inflamed tissues may compress your nerves as well.

Very often, neuropathy is idiopathic, meaning there’s no identifiable cause.

How is neuropathy treated?

If you have a long-term condition (such as diabetes, which causes peripheral neuropathy in your feet), expert chronic disease management helps minimize your risk. Dr. Zimmerman also uses non-invasive treatments to relieve stress on your spine, joints, and soft tissues.

Chiropractic manipulation is often very effective for neuropathy that involves nerve compression. Dr. Zimmerman can restore misaligned vertebrae and joints and reduce the connective tissue inflammation that’s often responsible for neuropathy. Techniques he uses include:

• Activator Method® (manual manipulation)
• Thompson Technique™ (drop table)
• Graston Technique® (instrument-assisted adjustments)
• Bio-energetic synchronization technique® (B.E.S.T)
• Sacro Occipital Technique® (using custom wedge-shaped blocks)

Chiropractic care encourages natural healing, which further helps reduce nerve pain. 

Dr. Zimmerman is a Gonstead® chiropractor, which means he considers all the problems affecting your body rather than focusing on a single structure. He also offers patients tailored exercise programs they can use at home to help strengthen their bodies and keep them flexible.

Dr. Zimmerman provides expert nutrition advice as well. A healthy, varied diet gives your body everything it needs to stay strong and healthy. Addressing nutrient deficiencies like insufficient vitamin A or B could significantly improve your neuropathy.

To find out more about these treatments for neuropathy, call Zimmerman Chiropractic today or book an appointment online.