What began as numbness in her legs and feet gave way to an almost constant, throbbing pain that slowly made it difficult for Linda* to walk. She suffered for 12 years, but as she sought answers from specialists, “No one offered me any hope,” she said.
Then she met a physician at Shift Health Center in Traverse City who thought there was a chance her pain could be reduced with a comprehensive treatment approach. He customized a treatment plan for her that included in-person treatment and exercises at home. Within three months, Linda’s mobility improved substantially.
“I came here, and they offered me hope and help, and it’s working,” Linda said through tears. “I’m being diligent with my treatments, and it’s paying off. I’ll be walking when I’m 100. I’m so excited.”
Peripheral neuropathy is a chronic condition that affects more than 20 million people. While it is typically characterized by numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, legs and feet, symptoms can also include lack of coordination; a sharp jabbing, throbbing, freezing or burning pain; lack of coordination; and extreme sensitivity to touch.
Because neuropathy is a degenerative condition, the longer patients put off treatment or are unable to find support, the more likely their symptoms will worsen over time and put their mobility at risk.
“When that happens, it becomes much harder to treat and reverse the symptoms patients experience,” said Kyle Konas, DC, who founded Shift Health Center, which specializes in chiropractic medicine.
“At the end of the day, your health is your greatest wealth,” Konas said. “When you don’t have your health, you really only have one goal: to get your health back.”
Shift Health Center
For patients across the Traverse City area, Shift Health Center is igniting a return to mobility. Here are three things to know about what causes peripheral neuropathy and how to start the path to relief.
1. Stress can make symptoms worse. While there are more than 100 causes of peripheral neuropathy — including diabetes, chemotherapy, alcohol intake, and side effects from prescription drugs, such as statins — stress can prompt a major setback in a patient’s recovery or worsen symptoms that haven’t been treated. “You would not believe how many neuropathy patients we see whose symptoms just completely flare up from a stressful event, whether it’s physical stress, financial stress or emotional stress,” Konas said. That’s because stress can trigger inflammation, which can inhibit bodily functions, including the ability to move with agility.
2. Diet plays a role in neuropathy outcomes — both good and bad. Patients who eat too much sugar increase their risk for inflammation, aggravating symptoms of nerve damage. Some patients also find that foods with saturated fats, like dairy products and red meat, make them prone to swelling and pain. It’s one reason why Shift Health Center takes a whole-person approach to determining the cause of neuropathy and the factors that may inhibit a person’s recovery, such as extra weight or a sedentary lifestyle.
Don’t let weight gain stop you from making an appointment. With the right combination of treatment, including a thoughtful approach to diet and exercise, patients can steadily make gains that improve their quality of life. “There is no cookie-cutter approach to peripheral neuropathy treatment,” Konas said. “Everything is tailored to the patient.”
3. Dehydration may be a hidden risk factor. Despite stores selling out of designer water bottles, a recent study shows nearly half of Americans don’t drink enough water. “If our cells aren’t properly hydrated, we’re going to feel achy,” Konas said. “That will cause neuropathy symptoms to flare up, as well.”
Living with aches, pains and challenges with mobility? If the symptoms of neuropathy sound familiar, there are treatments available that don’t involve surgery or medication. Find out more. Register for a free neuropathy master class from Shift Health Center, or view the Shift Health website.
* Name changed to protect privacy.