Neuropathy Treatments NYC by Acupuncturist Marc Bystock L.Ac.

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves have become injured or damaged. This damage negatively affects communication between the body's nerves and interferes with the nervous system's proper functioning. Neuropathy technically describes a collection of symptoms that can have an array of underlying causes. It is sometimes called peripheral neuropathy, more specifically, and it can result from injury as well as numerous diseases, infections, and more. It most often affects the hands and feet, but it may also present in other parts of the body, depending on which nerves are damaged. 

Your peripheral nervous system is your body's secondary nervous system. It is how information from your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) reaches the rest of your body. Neuropathy affects this communication. Depending upon the exact cause and the severity and type of nerve damage, recovery may or may not be possible. Our body is very good at healing itself over time, but sometimes nerve damage cannot repair itself.

The condition is complicated because our nervous systems are so complex, making it challenging to understand. Sufferers may experience mild to severe symptoms, and treatments vary a great deal. Again, sometimes there is no cure for the underlying cause, and the person may have to live with neuropathy for the rest of their life. Other times, the cause of the condition might even be unknown. There are medications as well as other options that make severe neuropathy more bearable and allow sufferers to cope with the inconvenient and sometimes crippling pain and numbness. 

More and more people are turning to homeopathic remedies like those provided by a neuropathy acupuncturist to deal with the many symptoms associated with the condition. These options are safer but are just as reliable as medications. Sometimes they are also an alternative to surgery.

Depending on which nerves in the peripheral nervous system are affected, other symptoms may occur in addition to pain and numbness. If motor nerves are damaged, then you may experience:

• Muscle weakness or complete muscle paralysis
• A lack of coordination, which leads to balance issues and falling down

If autonomic nerves are affected by the neuropathy, then symptoms can include:

• Intolerance to heat and excessive sweating
• Digestive problems, such as stomach upset
• Bladder control problems
• Changes in blood pressure that often lead to dizziness

Acupuncture treatments for neuropathy can help to relieve most, if not all, of these symptoms. It is a great deal less risky than a reliance on medication, and the results are fast as well as effective in most cases, even for those with chronic neuropathy.

Sensory nerves are the nerves that are most often affected by neuropathy. These nerves communicate pain. Motor nerves play a role in movement. Autonomic nerves control bodily functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, and other involuntary processes. Neuropathy from injury usually only affects one nerve (Mononeuropathy). Severe injuries can affect two or more nerves in different areas (multiple Mononeuropathy). Genetic conditions and diseases can affect many nerves (Polyneuropathy).

Physical injury and trauma are the most common causes of neuropathy. Car accidents, sports injuries, or even just a fall can lead to nerve damage. Nerves in the peripheral nervous system can be severed entirely or compressed. Depending on the severity of the damage, the nerve may or may not heal on its own. Sometimes, wearing a cast for a broken bone or using crutches for a prolonged period of time can cause mild neuropathy. 

Autoimmune diseases and a poor diet can also lead to neuropathy. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and other inflammatory diseases affect and damage the nerves. A poor diet that leads to any Vitamin B deficiency also damages peripheral nerves. Alcoholism leads to these deficiencies. Other causes of neuropathy are:

• Diabetes
• Poison exposure
• Some medications
• Bacterial infections
• Tumors near the nerves that lead to nerve compression
  

Whether or not the nerve damage can be recovered from, acupuncture can help to relieve neuropathy symptoms. Acupuncture for neuropathy is non-invasive and completely risk-free. It is one of the world's most effective and most ancient healing arts. Today, it often works hand-in-hand with other treatment options like physical therapy and is particularly helpful for those with chronic, severe symptoms that desperately need relief. 

Sometimes, pain and muscle weakness can make it difficult to perform exercises that support recovery. Neuropathy symptoms must be treated before the underlying cause can be addressed. Acupuncture is a great way to do this.

Holistic Acupuncturist Marc Bystock can identify blockages in your Qi energy and clear them. This provides pain relief as well as relief from the numbness. It can help neuropathy sufferers with motor nerve damage regain muscle control and even address autonomic nerve damage. When the energy flows freely in your body, you feel better in general. Injured nerves lead to blockages in the energy flow.