Peripheral neuropathy is tough. This condition affects over 3 million Americans and can make daily life difficult and often painful. When our nerves are damaged we can start to feel numbness, tingling, weakness and pain where we once felt normal sensations.
Nerve damage itself can be caused by a variety of factors; diabetes, alcoholism, cancer and chemotherapy, poor nutrition, kidney or thyroid disease, Lyme disease, shingles, and sometimes it’s just hereditary.
Regardless of what causes peripheral neuropathy, once the nerve damage is done there are a few key approaches to treatment that can be taken. Some cases do require surgery, injections or medication (followed or accompanied by physical therapy), but in many cases training and strengthening the body through physical therapy can make a big difference.
Our physical therapists can help develop an individualized physical therapy program for patients working through peripheral neuropathy. Weakness that develops from the condition can be countered through resistance training with bands, weights, isometric strengthening and the maneuvering of your own bodyweight. Balance training is focused on as a tool for building overall strength and stability, decreasing the risk of falls and further injury.
If peripheral neuropathy is something that you’re living with, please stop into our office or give us a call to schedule your free screening. We can also offer our free tips report to get your started with exercises that may help relieve some of your symptoms.