Neuropathy Specialist

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is damage to any of your nerves. Peripheral neuropathy — damage to nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord — often affects your extremities, especially your feet. If you have peripheral neuropathy, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Jabbing pain
• Numbness or prickling in hands or feet
• Creeping numbness in arms or legs
• Extreme sensitivity to touch or sensations
• Muscle weakness or trouble walking
• Lack of coordination
• Feeling like you’re wearing gloves or socks 

Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves inside your brain and spinal cord that control autonomic functions, such as blood pressure and breathing. If you have autonomic neuropathy, you may have symptoms that include:

• Excessive sweating
• Not being able to sweat
• Extreme sensitivity to heat
• Digestive or bowel problems
• Bladder problems
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

If you think you may have neuropathy, Dr. Vorzimer conducts a thorough physical examination and may administer nerve function tests to determine the source of your symptoms. He may also order imaging studies to determine if you have a tumor or other underlying causes.

What are the risk factors for neuropathy?

Neuropathy can affect just one nerve or many.  A variety of conditions increase your likelihood of developing neuropathy, including:

• Diabetes
• Infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Trauma
• Tumors
• Alcoholism
• Vitamin deficiencies

Dr. Vorzimer designs a treatment plan based on your symptoms, his findings during his evaluation, and any underlying conditions you may have that contribute to your neuropathy.

What are the complications of neuropathy?

If you don’t treat neuropathy, it could worsen and lead to troubling complications. Because you might not be able to feel pain, you could seriously injure yourself and not even realize it. 

Women and men with diabetes, for instance, need to examine their feet daily to ensure they don’t have wounds or ulcers that could develop into gangrene and may lead to limb amputation.

How do chiropractors treat neuropathy?

The goal of chiropractic medicine is to align your spine so that it can function optimally and increase the function of all of your other systems. 

When your body is in a state called homeostasis, it’s able to heal itself. To help you reach homeostasis, Dr. Vorzimer may recommend:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Spinal decompression
• Manual massage
• Ultrasound massage
• Hot and cold therapy
• Whole-foods diet
• Nutritional supplements
• Exercise and physical therapy

To find out if you have neuropathy and how to bring your body into homeostasis so you can heal, contact the J.V. Chiropractic team today by phone or use the online tool to book an appointment.