❤️ Suppose you’re experiencing pain, tingling and other odd sensations in the hands or feet, with or without accompanying a loss of function in those extremities. In that case, you’re exhibiting the classic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
📍 Peripheral neuropathy is a neurological disorder that affects the sensory, motor and autonomic nerves and is caused by the abnormal functioning of these nerves due to various etiologies. These etiologies include diabetes, alcoholism, HIV, toxins, metabolic abnormalities, vitamin deficiencies, and adverse side-effects of specific drugs. Peripheral neuropathy can affect the skin and internal organs, but it’s most notorious for creating symptoms in the hands and feet. Tingling, pain and burning sensations (especially at night) are common symptoms.
How dose Traditional Chinese Medicine Improve Nerve Function?
📍 Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes that Peripheral neuropathy is due to dampness moving to the limbs, where it obstructs the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood within them. The treatment is to treat the underlying factor causing this dampness to accumulate and directly facilitate Qi and Blood circulation in the affected area. By improving the circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and reduce pain. Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom of many different patterns of disharmony within the body. Oriental Medicine aims to treat each individual uniquely depending on what caused the neuropathy and how it manifests.
❤️ when treating neuropathy with traditional Chinese Medicine, should be considered:
- location of the affected areas
- degree of neuropathic symptoms
- frequency of pain and discomfort
- root cause of the condition
👉🏻 TCM can help people have a better quality of life. Although an individual may not recover immediately or entirely, relief of symptoms can make a difference in one’s comfort level. Treatment of neuropathy should be considered a long-term therapy and not just a short course of 10 sessions, as is usually implied with acupuncture. Adopting healthy habits such as maintaining optimal weight, avoiding exposure to toxins, following a physician-supervised exercise program, eating a balanced diet, correcting vitamin deficiencies, and limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption can reduce the physical and emotional effects of peripheral neuropathy.