Can you reverse neuropathy naturally?

If you suffer from debilitating ‘pins and needles’ sensations in your feet, legs, or even hands. You know how uncomfortable neuropathy can be. Some people experience numbness, ‘creepy crawly’ pains up and down legs, or even sharp glass like pains. The reason why you developed neuropathy may not be fully understood. Some develop neuropathy from complications of diabetes, others as result of nerve damage from back surgery, and some are considered “idiopathic” or no known cause. Many go to a neurologist where they are more than likely placed on medications to help with nerve pain. However, these medications may come with unwanted side effects such as balance issue, brain fog, or not help at all. Many seek additional treatment options, especially if the medications are not helping to ease the pain. That sparks the question, can you reverse or slow down neuropathy, naturally?

What are Evidence-Based treatments that can help reverse neuropathy?

Let’s Explore How Acupuncture Can Help.

As in our previous posts, we have explored how acupuncture can help to reduce pain, decrease inflammation among other things. But just how can it help with neuropathy?

A technique in used in acupuncture treatments is neuromuscular stimulation aka electro-acupuncture has also found to be beneficial. The use of electricity for treating pain is not a new concept. Its applications have been used for thousands of years. One mode of action is that certain frequencies can inhibit pain signals to the brain as well as activation of descending inhibitory pathways which release endogenous opioids and other compounds such as serotonin. 

When comparing a TENS unit stimulation versus electro-acupuncture. Numerous studies have found that patients receiving electro-acupuncture had lower pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy and improve physical activity as well as showed lower back pain, decrease in post-herpetic neuropathy, and sciatic pain compared to those who had TENS unit treatment. 

The journal, Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, looked at the efficacy and long-term effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. In the study, patients, already in treatment using standard treatments for neuropathy, received up to six courses of acupuncture over a period of 10 weeks. 77% of patients who completed the study, showed significant improvement in their primary and/or secondary symptoms (P<0.01). These patients were followed up for a period of 18–52 weeks with 67% were able to stop or reduce their medications significantly. The study showed that acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy for the long-term management of painful neuropathy symptoms. 

At Starting Point Acupuncture, we strongly believe that pain relief should not come with unwanted side effects that can make your symptoms worse. We use safe and effective treatments that have no unwanted side effects to help you be able to feel your fee again! There is hope for decreasing neuropathy symptoms, naturally!

If you suffer from neuropathy, neuropathic pain, or any nerve pain, we can help! Give our office a call today at (425) 686-4498 to learn more about how we can help you live your best life, pain-free!

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free  and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.

Sources:

Acupuncture and Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016882279700123X

Acupuncture and Neuropathy: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/3/2877