Understanding Your Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosis 

More than 20 million people living across the United States have peripheral neuropathy. Many also experience related issues, such as back pain and joint pain, which can complicate daily life.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed, you likely have lots of questions. But with so much information available, and some of it contradictory, knowing where to begin or who to trust can feel overwhelming. 

That’s why a solid understanding of the condition can help ease symptoms and prevent them from worsening.

At Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, in Sarasota, Florida, our team of interventional pain doctors helps people living with peripheral neuropathy. Read on to learn what peripheral neuropathy is, common symptoms, and what you can expect from treatment.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for nerve damage (neuropathy) that affects the peripheral nerves, meaning the nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord. 

Peripheral nerves are found throughout the body and play an essential role in sensation, movement, and communication between the brain and the rest of the body. 

When these nerves become damaged, due to trauma or disease, it can disrupt those signals, leading to uncomfortable symptoms that can affect mobility and quality of life.

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, but it can also occur due to toxin exposure, infections, and metabolic issues.

Common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy affects everyone differently, and its severity depends on which nerves are damaged. However, the condition presents several telltale signs, including:

Sensory symptoms

Because the peripheral nerves send messages to and from the brain, their damage often results in uncomfortable sensations such as tingling, burning, or numbness. These issues can occur in various areas, but commonly affect the arms, hands, legs, and feet.

Motor symptoms

The brain and nerves play important roles in movement and balance. Damage to the nerves involved in these functions often leads to muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and cramping.

Autonomic symptoms

The peripheral nervous system controls many bodily functions, including digestion, body temperature, and blood pressure. As peripheral neuropathy progresses, many patients experience problems with these systems.

Treatment and management options

Peripheral neuropathy can’t always be cured, but you can take steps to slow its progression and prevent further nerve damage. It’s essential you work with qualified medical professionals to achieve these goals. 

After reviewing your health history, discussing your symptoms, and completing a comprehensive physical exam, including nerve conduction testing, we make treatment recommendations. 

Often, the first step is getting whatever caused your peripheral neuropathy under control. 

For example, if you have diabetes, we may work with your care team to help manage blood sugar through medication and lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. If your neuropathy is due to a vitamin deficiency, we could prescribe supplements or medication. 

Once the underlying cause is addressed, we offer complementary treatments to keep your peripheral nervous system healthy. This may include:

• Prescription medications, such as painkillers, antidepressants, or anti-seizure drugs
• Physical therapy to improve strength, balance, and mobility
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to disrupt pain signals
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Assistive devices, including custom orthotics, canes, or walkers
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Surgery if your symptoms don’t improve with conservative care

Most people with peripheral neuropathy benefit from a combination of treatments. We monitor your symptoms at regular checkups and adjust your care plan as needed to ensure positive results. 

We can help you live better with peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can be challenging to manage, but with the right plan in place, you can live a healthy, happy, and active lifestyle. Our team can assist you in these efforts and help you feel more confident in managing your diagnosis.

To get started, schedule an appointment at Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC. Our expert team can work with you to ease peripheral neuropathy symptoms and prevent any damage from worsening.