Do you know what neuropathy is? Are you experiencing symptoms such as burning, tingling or numbness in your feet or hands? If so, it could be attributed to a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects 20 million Americans. 1 out of 17 Americans are found to have neuropathy symptoms.

There are many different kinds of peripheral nerve disorders or neuropathies. Some are the result of disease such as diabetes, with 60 to 70 percent of diabetics experiencing some form of neuropathy. Side effects to certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs or long-term cholesterol medication use, can result in neuropathy while others can be triggered by a virus infection. Regardless of how of the condition begins, it is imperative that nerve disorders are resolved as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

How do you know if you have peripheral nerve damage?

The symptoms of neuropathy may come on quickly or develop over many years and may start gradually and then get worse:

•Numbness
•Poor circulation
•Diabetic nerve pain
•Sharp electrical-like pain
•Muscle spasms
•Burning or tingling
•Difficulty sleeping from leg or foot discomfort
•Muscle weakness
•Sensitivity to touch
•Pain when you walk

Unfortunately, individuals who are experiencing the symptoms of neuropathy are often given limited choices such as the following medications, Gabapentin, Neurontin, or lyrica, to try to manage/mask the symptoms. Unfortunately, these medications are not acting on the damaged nerves themselves and symptoms persist or continue to gradually get worse. Specific therapy modalities applied directly on the damaged nerves themselves shows positive results for some individuals. A combination of these therapies are often needed to help individuals achieve relief from their neuropathy. These therapies include, but are not limited to; Horizontal therapy – induces a bioelectric and a biochemical effect on the tissues, simultaneously, something previous electrical therapies have failed to do.

Based on the understanding that bioelectric changes and biochemical changes are strictly combined in living tissues, it was proposed that a more effective therapy form would be one that could produce both classes of effects simultaneously. Indeed, it is Horizontal Therapy’s ability to perform tasks that other therapy forms are incapable of accomplishing (even when combined) that makes it a favorable form of therapy for individuals experiencing neuropathy. Light therapy – Promotes increased circulation/blood flow, oxygen and nutrients, to the nerves providing an optimal environment for the nerve to heal. Research shows, in addition to increased circulation, light therapy may help in pain reduction and increased speed of healing.

Advanced Medical of Florida provides you with the medical care you need.  For more information, go to our web site http://www.amfhealthcare.com or call (727) 408-5222.