Common Symptoms of Neuropathy

• Pain
• Traveling pain (or the feeling that pain can be traced from one area to another)
• Burning sensations
• Tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Tremors
• Headaches or migraines
• Stiff muscles
• Sharp, jabbing pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Bowel, bladder, and digestive problems
• Changes in blood pressure
• Paralysis
• Limited range of movement
• Foot and ankle pain
• Swelling in the knees, calves, and/or shoulders

What Causes Neuropathy?

A common cause of neuropathy is pressure on a nerve, which happens when something is wrong with the musculoskeletal system. This system covers the whole body and includes all bones and muscles. If one of the muscles, bones or joints is out of alignment, that will affect the other parts of the body connected to it – including the nerves.

When pressure is exerted on a nerve, it makes it impossible for it to function properly. With each passing day, the muscle gets tighter or a bone shifts further out of alignment, and the pressure on the nerve increases until the nerves are completely cut off. Over time, this will cause damage to the nerve and intensify the symptoms of neuropathy. Typically, symptoms will come on gradually until the pain continues all day long.

Is Neuropathy Treatable?

Yes. Neuropathy is treatable. While nerve tissue takes a long time to heal, if pressure is released from the damaged nerve, the body can repair itself.

At The Rejuvenation Center, we are able to look at the whole musculoskeletal system to find areas that might be putting pressure on the nerves. Our team is expert at relieving that pressure through massage and chiropractic.

Can a Chiropractor Treat Neuropathy?

Dr. Brad Miller of The Rejuvenation Center in Layton, Utah, can make adjustments to the spinal column, which affects the body’s alignment. When accompanied with a holistic, or whole-body, approach that includes massage therapy – as well as other methods – neuropathy can be treated successfully.

Can a Massage Therapist Treat Neuropathy?

Massage is a recommended and accepted treatment for neuropathy. Our Master Bodyworker Brianna Francom is a licensed and highly educated massage therapist. Each case is different, as the cause and affected areas are different. Treatment will be customized to you and may include a combination of the following as part of an integrated plan.

Swedish massage

A light, flowing pressure massage that focuses on muscles and connective tissues. It is usually a full-body massage to relieve pain, improve circulation and muscle pain relief. It can also be targeted to certain areas.

Sports massage

A focused massage for muscle groups that are injured or overused due to a particular sport or activity. Certain sports can cause injuries that place constant pressure on the nerves. Sports massage aims to relieve that pressure through stretching and targeted work.

Medical massage

This type of massage is specific to a medical issue or necessary therapy such as those found in neuropathy – as well as the effects of car accidents, whiplash injuries, and sciatica.

Deep-tissue massage

A whole-body or focused massage that relieves chronic muscle tension. This massage works deeply into the muscles and connective tissue.

Craniosacral therapy

This modality can be highly effective at healing damaged nerve tissue because the craniosacral system maintains the environment in which the central nervous system functions. It consists of the cerebrospinal fluid, the spinal cord, and connective tissue called facia. This system extends from the head, down the spinal column and terminates in the sacrum. Gentle manipulation of this system facilitates the natural nerve repair processes of the body. While the touch of this treatment is very gentle,you may experience a tingling sensation or other signs of nervous system stimulation in areas of your body away from where the actual therapeutic manipulations are taking place.