Peripheral Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms and Management

Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of Americans, yet many people with early symptoms don't fully understand what's happening in their bodies. If you've noticed numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or weakness in your hands or feet, you may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy—a condition affecting the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. At Premier Chiropractic in Pearland, TX, Dr. Orlando Fernandez and our team specialize in diagnosing and managing peripheral neuropathy using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that addresses both the cause and symptoms.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves—the vast network of nerves extending from your brain and spinal cord throughout your entire body. These nerves transmit sensory information (touch, temperature, pain) back to your brain and carry motor signals from your brain to your muscles, controlling movement. When peripheral nerves become damaged, they can't send signals properly, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain.

The condition most commonly affects the hands and feet, though it can occur in any part of the body. Symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly, and they can range from mild annoyance to severely disabling.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy has numerous underlying causes, and identifying yours is essential for effective treatment:

Diabetes (#1 Cause)

Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in developed countries. High blood sugar levels damage small blood vessels and nerves over time. Diabetic neuropathy can be particularly challenging because it often develops gradually before symptoms become noticeable. If you have diabetes, taking proactive steps to manage blood sugar and maintain nerve health is critical.

Physical Injuries

Trauma from accidents, falls, or repetitive strain injuries can damage peripheral nerves directly. Nerve compression from misaligned vertebrae (a condition we address regularly at Premier Chiropractic) can also cause neuropathic symptoms in the extremities.

Infections

Certain infections, including shingles, HIV, and Lyme disease, can trigger peripheral nerve damage.

Autoimmune Conditions

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus cause the immune system to attack nerve tissues, leading to peripheral neuropathy.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Deficiency in B vitamins—particularly B12—can cause nerve damage. This type of neuropathy is often reversible with supplementation.

Toxin Exposure

Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, or chemotherapy drugs can damage peripheral nerves.

Chemotherapy

Cancer patients often develop peripheral neuropathy as a side effect of chemotherapy treatment.

Recognizing Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Symptoms vary depending on which nerves are affected and the severity of damage. Common signs include:

Numbness and tingling in feet or hands, often described as a "pins and needles" sensation

Burning pain, particularly at night

Muscle weakness or difficulty with fine motor control

Sensitivity to touch, where even light contact feels painful

Loss of coordination or difficulty with balance

Sharp, shooting pains in the extremities

Changes in skin temperature or color in affected areas

Difficulty walking due to foot numbness or weakness

Early recognition of these symptoms is important because some types of neuropathy respond better to treatment when caught early, particularly those caused by vitamin deficiencies or nerve compression.

The Chiropractic Advantage for Nerve Health

At Premier Chiropractic in Pearland, TX, we understand that peripheral neuropathy involves both structural and functional components. Our chiropractic approach addresses both:

Optimizing Spinal Alignment

The nerves of your peripheral nervous system originate from your spinal cord. When vertebrae become misaligned (subluxated), they can compress spinal nerves or the roots from which peripheral nerves branch, exacerbating neuropathic symptoms. By carefully aligning your spine through targeted adjustments, we remove pressure on nerves and optimize nervous system communication throughout your body.

Improving Circulation

Many neuropathic symptoms worsen when blood flow to affected nerves decreases. Proper spinal alignment improves overall circulation, ensuring that damaged nerves receive adequate oxygen and nutrients for healing.

Reducing Nerve Irritation

Spinal adjustments reduce inflammation and irritation around nerve structures, decreasing pain signals and promoting healing.

Class IV Laser Therapy: Advanced Nerve Regeneration

Beyond traditional chiropractic care, we offer Class IV laser therapy—a powerful tool for peripheral neuropathy management. This advanced form of photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of light energy to:

Stimulate damaged nerves directly, encouraging them to heal and regenerate

Improve microcirculation in tissues surrounding affected nerves, enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery

Promote mitochondrial function within nerve cells, energizing them for repair

Reduce inflammation in nerve tissues

Block pain signals at the nerve level

The science is compelling: Class IV laser therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in clinical studies for improving sensation, reducing pain, and enhancing nerve function in peripheral neuropathy patients.

The Synergistic Power of Combined Treatment

Here's what makes our approach at Premier Chiropractic in Pearland particularly effective: combining chiropractic adjustments with Class IV laser therapy creates a synergistic effect. While chiropractic care addresses the structural cause (nerve compression, misalignment) and optimizes overall nervous system function, laser therapy directly stimulates nerve healing at the cellular level. Together, these approaches attack peripheral neuropathy from multiple angles, yielding superior results compared to either treatment alone.

Managing Peripheral Neuropathy: A Comprehensive Plan

Our comprehensive approach also includes:

Nutritional counseling to address deficiencies that may contribute to nerve damage

Posture and ergonomics guidance to prevent nerve compression

Exercises and stretching to maintain mobility and reduce pain

Pain management strategies to help you function comfortably while healing occurs

Coordination with your physician to ensure complementary care if you have diabetes, autoimmune conditions, or other underlying causes

Don't Accept Numbness and Tingling as Inevitable

Peripheral neuropathy is progressive—symptoms typically worsen without intervention. The encouraging news is that many patients experience significant improvement and even reversal of symptoms with proper treatment, especially when started early. Your peripheral nerves have remarkable capacity for healing when given proper support.

If you're experiencing numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in your hands or feet, it's time to seek professional evaluation. Dr. Orlando Fernandez and our team at Premier Chiropractic in Pearland, TX are experienced in diagnosing and treating peripheral neuropathy. We'll develop a personalized treatment plan addressing your specific condition and work diligently to restore nerve function and your quality of life.

Schedule your complimentary consultation today:

**Old Town Location**: (281) 485-2955

**Town Center Location**: (281) 741-1409

Don't let peripheral neuropathy rob you of comfort and mobility. Call Premier Chiropractic in Pearland today to discover how we can help you heal.