PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord and may cause symptoms such as burning sensations, tingling, numbness, weakness, sensitivity to touch, balance difficulties, and discomfort in the hands or feet.
Because peripheral nerves help control sensation, movement, and many automatic body functions, nerve dysfunction can impact comfort, mobility, sleep, and daily activities.
At Extivita, we take a comprehensive wellness-focused approach to supporting individuals experiencing neuropathy-related symptoms. Depending on a person’s needs and goals, services may include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Nutritional IV Therapy, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF), Infrared Sauna Therapy, nutritional support, and other physician-guided wellness services.
Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage, dysfunction, or disruption affecting nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system serves as the communication network between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. These nerves help carry information related to sensation, movement, balance, and automatic functions such as digestion and blood pressure regulation.
When peripheral nerves become damaged or function improperly, nerve signals may become altered, delayed, weakened, or disrupted. This can contribute to a wide range of symptoms that may affect quality of life and functional ability.
Some neuropathies develop gradually over time, while others may occur following injury, illness, medication exposure, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions.
Three Types of Peripheral Nerves
Peripheral neuropathy can affect one or more of these nerve types, which is why symptoms may range from burning and numbness to weakness, dizziness, digestive changes, or balance concerns.
Sensory Nerves
Help you feel and interpret sensations.
Examples:
(Touch, Temperature, Pressure, Pain)
Motor Nerves
Help muscles move and coordinate movement.
Examples:
(Walking, Balance, Coordination, Muscle control)
Automatic Nerves
Help regulate automatic body functions.
Examples:
(Heart rate, Digestion, Blood pressure, Sweating)
Why Symptoms Often Start in the Feet
Many forms of peripheral neuropathy are considered “length-dependent,” meaning the longest nerves in the body are often affected first.
Because nerves extending to the feet are among the longest nerve pathways in the body, symptoms frequently begin in the toes and feet before progressing upward into the legs or affecting the hands.
Common Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
Symptoms vary depending on which nerves are affected and the degree of nerve dysfunction. These symptoms may occur occasionally, remain stable, or gradually progress depending on the underlying condition involved.
Burning Sensations
Burning or hot feelings frequently occur in the feet and lower legs.
Tingling
Often described as “pins and needles”.
Numbness
Reduced sensation may develop gradually.
Sharp or Electric-Like Pain
Some individuals report stabbing, shooting, or electrical sensations.
Sensitivity to Touch
Even light pressure from blankets or shets may feel uncomfortable.
Balance Changes
Reduced sensation in the feet can contribute to stability concerns.
Weakness
Motor nerves may also be affected in some forms of neuropathy.
Coordination Challenges
Changes in sensation may affect gait and movement.
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease. Rather, it is a broad category of nerve disorders that may be associated with many different contributing factors.
Conditions commonly associated with neuropathy include:
- Diabetes and Prediabetes: Diabetes is among the most common conditions associated with peripheral neuropathy.
- Chemotherapy-Related Nerve Damage
- Vitamin Deficiencies
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Infections
- Nerve Compression
- Toxin Exposure
- Hereditary Conditions
Identifying potential contributing factors is often an important part of a comprehensive evaluation.
Experiencing Burning, Tingling, or Numbness?
Understanding potential contributing factors is an important first step.
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EXTIVITA THERAPIES FOR PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Nutritional IV Therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
Infrared Sauna
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment. Increased atmospheric pressure allows significantly more oxygen to dissolve into blood plasma and reach tissues throughout the body.
HBOT has been extensively studied for its effects on oxygen delivery, circulation, inflammation, tissue repair, and cellular function.
How HBOT Supports Individuals with Peripheral Neuropathy
Supports Oxygen Delivery to Tissues
Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism and tissue function. HBOT significantly increases oxygen availability throughout the body.
Supports Healthy Circulation
Research has shown that HBOT may support microcirculation and tissue oxygenation in areas with compromised blood flow.
Supports Tissue Repair Processes
Hyperbaric oxygen has been studied for its potential role in supporting healing and recovery mechanisms.
Supports Cellular Energy Production
Mitochondria require oxygen to generate cellular energy. Improved oxygen delivery may help support overall cellular function and recovery.
Neurofeedback for Peripheral Neuropathy
Neurofeedback may relieve pain associated with Peripheral Neuropathy (NP) by safely and effectively modulating brain activity. Research has been able to isolate the locations of the brain that contribute to physical and emotional aspects of chronic pain, and neurofeedback has been able to target these areas and provide pain relief(4-6).
IV Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy:
The Myers Cocktail, which is full of B vitamins like B12, may help Peripheral Neuropathy (NP) that is associated with nutrient deficiencies, as well as NP in patients with diabetes(7). Additionally, Vitamin C (in the Myer’s Cocktail) and Gutathione (available as a stand-alone IV) can protect your peripheral nerves against toxin damage that is common in NP(7, 8).
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy:
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) uses safe, low frequency signals to stimulate capillaries, resulting in countless therapeutic effects(9). One such effect is improved neural microcirculation around damaged nerves which relieves pain and reduces inflammation and further damage(9-10).
News & Research for Peripheral Neuropathy
Why Do My Feet Burn at Night? Common Causes, Nerve Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
If your feet feel hot, burning, prickly, or painfully sensitive at night, you are not alone in wondering what is going on. Burning feet can be uncomfortable, distracting, and sometimes concerning — especially when it happens repeatedly or begins affecting sleep. A...
How Extivita Integrative Therapies Support Restful, Restorative Sleep
Getting consistent, high-quality sleep is one of the most important foundations of overall health and well-being. Yet, stress, inflammation, and environmental factors often disrupt natural sleep patterns, leaving many people feeling fatigued and unrefreshed. At...
Cortisol Levels Too High? Lower Them Naturally
In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a constant companion for many people. Deadlines, notifications, traffic, poor sleep, and even our dietary habits all contribute to a steady rise in stress—and with it, rising cortisol levels. While some stress is normal...
References
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- Sanchez, E Cuauhtemoc. “Hyperbaric oxygenation in peripheral nerve repair and regeneration.” Neurological research vol. 29,2 (2007): 184-98. doi:10.1179/016164107X181824
- Li, Fenghua et al. “Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy alleviates chronic constrictive injury-induced neuropathic pain and reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha production.” Anesthesia and analgesia vol. 113,3 (2011): 626-33. doi:10.1213/ANE.0b013e31821f9544
- Prinsloo, S., Novy, D., Driver, L., Lyle, R., Ramondetta, L., Eng, C., McQuade, J., Lopez, G. and Cohen, L. (2017), Randomized controlled trial of neurofeedback on chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy: A pilot study. Cancer, 123: 1989-1997. doi:10.1002/cncr.30649
- Bismuth, Julie et al. “Relieving peripheral neuropathic pain by increasing the power-ratio of low-β over high-β activities in the central cortical region with EEG-based neurofeedback: Study protocol for a controlled pilot trial (SMRPain study).” Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology vol. 50,1 (2020): 5-20. doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2019.12.002
- Hassan, Muhammad Abul et al. “The mechanism of neurofeedback training for treatment of central neuropathic pain in paraplegia: a pilot study.” BMC neurology vol. 15 200. 13 Oct. 2015, doi:10.1186/s12883-015-0445-7
- Staff, Nathan P, and Anthony J Windebank. “Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.” Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) vol. 20,5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders (2014): 1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5a
- Kumar, Neeraj. “Neurologic presentations of nutritional deficiencies.” Neurologic clinics vol. 28,1 (2010): 107-70. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2009.09.006
- Gao, Yueming et al. “Changes in nerve microcirculation following peripheral nerve compression.” Neural Regeneration Research (2013): 1041–1047.
- Graak, Vinay et al. “Evaluation of the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field in the management of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.” International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries 29 (2009): 56 – 61.