Neuropathy

Neuropathy 

1. TYPES:
   
   There are 4 types of Neuropathies. The four major forms of nerve damage are: peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, mononeuropathy, and polyneuropathy. The most common form is peripheral neuropathy, which mainly affects the feet and legs.
2. CAUSES:
   Besides diabetes, the common causes of neuropathy are chronic or acute trauma (including surgery), and various neurotoxins. Neuropathic pain is common in cancer as a direct result of the cancer on peripheral nerves (e.g., compression by a tumor), as a side effect of many chemotherapy drugs, and as a result of electrical injury
   
   Diabetic Neuropathy: It has been clinically documented that patients with Diabetes have poor circluation. Diabetes causes blood vessels to harden and constrict, which impedes the ammount of blood flow going to the extremities. It is for this reason that Neuropathy develops in patients with diabetes, poor microcirculation.
3. SYMPTOMS:
   Neuropathy often results in numbness, pain, and other abnormal sensations. It affects proprioception, and is an indirect cause of falls in the senior population. Neuropathy patients are at a higher risk for falls, due to the simple fact that they can not feel their feet. Neuropathic pain is usually perceived as a steady burning and/or "pins and needles" and/or "electric shock" sensations. The difference is due to the fact that "ordinary" pain stimulates only pain nerves, while a neuropathy often results in the firing of both pain and non-pain (touch, warm, cool) sensory nerves in the same area, producing signals that the spinal cord and brain do not normally expect to receive.
4. TREATMENT:
   Neuropathic pain can be very difficult to treat; even strong opioid analgesics may provide only partial relief and are not approved by the FDA for neuropathic pain indications. Controlled studies of opioid analgesics that have shown pain relief HAVE NOT shown any consistent improvement in quality of life indicators. However, several classes of medications not normally thought of as analgesics are often effective, alone or in combination with opioids and other treatments.
   
   It is because many of the prescription medications for Neuropathy have limited benefits, that more doctors and therapists trying alternative methods of treatment such as, Monocramatic Infrared Photo Energy, or MIRE. Over 5000 clinical sites across the country utilize Anodyne Therapy (MIRE) with also usually a rehab program, that usually includes physical therapy. Anodyne Therapy emits infra red light, and works by locally increasing circulation and decreasing pain. Patients receive treatment in a local clinic, to find out if the treatment is effective for them. Many patients report increased foot sensitivity, and decreased pain. Anodyne Therapy is off label for the treatment of neuropathy, however, due to their indications in their FDA clearance, Anodyne Therapy can be used by any health care professional in any situation where increasing circulation and decreasing pain is in the best interest of their patient. Recent studies have shown that diabetic patients have poor very poor circulation, and that is what causes neuropathic pain, and numbness. Essentially, the nerves in the extremities are not getting enough oxygen or nutrients to function properly. You must have a doctors prescription for Anodyne Therapy. Check out their website below for more information.
   
   Physical Therapy:Physical Therapy can help to address the balance and proprioception issues of the patients. Gait and Balance training, therex bands, and other manual therapies have proven to be beneficial for people. It is VERY important to keep as active as your pain will allow, as excercise is your body's natural way of increasing circulation.
   
   Natural Suppliments: Vitiman B12 and L Argenine have had some positive reviews by patients and some homeopathic physicians.
5. MORE ON ANODYNE THERAPY:
   I am an experienced Geriatric Care Manager, and I work with many people who have Neuropathy. I can speak on a personal level about Anodyne Therapy. It has been an excellent treatment for my patients. When I see a new patient with Neuropathy, it is one of the FIRST treatments I recomend. Patients of mine have regained sensation in their feet, improved their balance, and also been able to do more activities they enjoy. They are sleeping better too! I am a HUGE advocate of this therapy because I have seen firsthand the results it has yeilded with MY own clients.
   
   I urge you to go to their website to find a local care center, or just call them for more information! Don't accept any more medication prescriptions from your doctor until you TRY Anodyne Therapy!