The numbness, burning and tingling usually starts in your hands or feet.  It doesn’t seem to get better over time.  It is one of the most frustrating conditions on the planet.  Left unchecked, it can cause difficulty walking, balance problems and even cause you to fall.  Other complicating problems include difficulty with concentration, decreased memory or insomnia. 

There are many potential causes for neuropathy including chemical imbalance in the body, complications of uncontrolled diabetes, or more commonly a pinched nerve. 

Here’s the key, both chemical imbalance and diabetic problems are compounded if there is any pressure on the nerve.    The most common place for nerve pressure to occur is where the nerve exits the spine.  Severe pressure on the nerve or long term nerve pressure causes degeneration of the nerve leading to neuropathy.

What causes nerve pressure?

As the nerves travel from the spine to the legs and feet, they go through a number of tunnels and doorways.  If any of these tunnels collapses, pain and/or neuropathy can occur.

The first doorway is called the neural foramen.  It is made of two vertebrae separated by a disc. It is the most common area for nerve pressure to occur.  Nerve pressure happens if the doorway is closed or partially closed.  Disc degeneration, disc bulges, or spinal misalignments all cause nerve pressure. 

Other areas where the nerve can be pinched:

Name of the Tunnel                                      Where is it?

Carpal Tunnel                                                   Wrist

Tunnel of Gyon                                                 Wrist

Cubital Tunnel                                                   Elbow

Thoracic Outlet                                                 Shoulder/Chest

 Tarsal Tunnel                                                   Ankle

Piriformis Muscle                                            Gluteal Region

There are many more, but these are the most common areas.   A nerve can be pinched in one, two, three or even four of these areas. 

As a chiropractor, I specialize in finding and relieving nerve pressure, without surgery, without drugs.  In our office we use a combination of therapies and treatments in the right order to get you better faster. 

Here are a few treatment options and what they do.

 Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments                                Opens up the Neural Foramen

 Chiropractic Extremity Adjustments        Opens the Tunnels in the arm and legs

 Spinal Decompression                 Re-inflates the disc/making the doorway bigger                                                      

 Electric Muscle Stimulation                    Relaxes the Muscles to Open the Tunnel

Specific Exercises                           Retrains the muscles/supporting the tunnels 

 Massage Therapy                                  Relaxes Muscles and Reduces Swelling

First things first, I want to talk to you and find out how your neuropathy has effected your life, when it started, and understand what you’ve been going through.  We treat people who have health conditions, not health conditions with people attached.  Then we’ll do an assessment and testing to determine where your problems are and what we can do to help. 

Give us a call, Get Your Life Back!

 (502)-245-7334

Dr. Patrick Lowe is a Doctor of Chiropractic, practicing in Louisville, KY.    Lowe Chiropractic has served the Louisville community for over 10 years.  Dr. Lowe has completed extensive education in treating nerve and disc related  problems as well as whiplash injuries and low back pain.  More information can be found on his website at www.lowechiro.com