Peripheral neuropathy is described as disorders of your peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system includes nerves in your face, arms, legs, and torso. All nerves not located in your central nervous system (ie - brain and spinal cord) are peripheral nerves.
Your nerves enable communication between your organs and blood vessels, brain and your muscles, and skin. Your nerves can't communicate properly when this is damaged. This miscommunication causes symptoms such as impaired balance, trouble walking, burning pain or numbness. These symptoms tend to be identicfal on both sides of the body, including the feet and hands.
At FYZICAL®, We follow the proven protocol published in the Journal of Podiatric Medical Association, which produced clinically significant improvements in sensation. We utilize Near Infrared Light (NIR) for treatment of peripheral neuropathy. No drug or medical device had previously been shown to increase sensation once it has been diminished or lost, though some drugs are effective for pain associated with peripheral neuropathy.
What to Expect:
Some patients say they feel some tingling and numbness, while most say that NIR treatments feeling soothing and warm. Based on their degree of impairment, some patients take longer to respond to our comprehensive program, while others respond very quickly.
Often, the first symptom to improve in this program is pain. Functional improvements are can take more time to improve. Of 784 of chronic pain patients studied, after 12 sessions, at least 89% reported "excellent to total pain relief," after using NIR.
These studies were perfomed on patients with diabetic neuropathy. We still attempt to utilize the Near Infrared Light treatments to help with symptoms for those with other neuropathies that have an unknown cause.
Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy have increased falls risks due to lack of sensation and will benefit from IFR treatment.
NIR treatments are an additional 30 minutes to your physical therapy treatments. NIR treatments are part of your physical therapy protocol and are covered by your insurance.