Find Relief from Numbness, Tingling, and Pain

Have you noticed a “pins and needles” feeling in your hands, fingers, or feet? Are you struggling with muscle weakness or problems with balance? There’s a chance you may have developed some type of peripheral neuropathy, a set of conditions that involve damage to your nerves.

Your nervous system was the original “information superhighway.” This vast network of nerves carries signals from your brain to the rest of your body. Nerves let your muscles know when to move and contract, allow you to feel physical sensations, and help your organs function properly.

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when something disrupts those messages, which can have a rippling effect on your entire body. There are many reasons someone might develop peripheral neuropathy, and the effects can vary based on which nerves are affected.

Physical therapy at Albanese Physical Therapy is essential in helping people manage many common symptoms of peripheral neuropathies, such as reduced muscle strength and impaired balance. We’ll work closely with you and other care team members to provide a personalized treatment plan that helps you find relief.

To learn more about what we can do to reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, request an appointment at our New Brighton, PA clinic.

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The Signs, Symptoms, and Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Experts generally divide nerves into three categories based on their role in the body.

Motor Nerves: Control muscle movement and help you perform activities like walking or grasping objects
Sensory Nerves: Transmit sensations, such as pain from a cut or hot and cold temperatures
Autonomic Nerves: Regulate your body’s automatic functions, like breathing or digesting food.

Most neuropathies will affect all three to some extent, although some will affect one or two. For this reason, your exact symptoms may vary. However, these are some of the main things to look out for:

A gradual onset of numbness or tingling that starts in your hands and feet and then radiates up through your arms or legs
Burning or shooting pain
Odd pain sensations, such as finding it painful when your bedsheets are draped over your legs
Muscle cramping
Muscle weakness
Issues with balance and coordination
Difficulty with movement

If your autonomic nerves are affected, you may have additional symptoms, such as heat intolerance or problems with your bladder, bowels, or digestion.

Understanding which type of neuropathy you have will help you find the right course of treatment:

Nerve Entrapments: Occurs when a nerve becomes entrapped by a structure in the body, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected body part. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most well-known examples, but it’s not the only one!
Nerve Injuries: Any damage to the nerves can cause neuropathies.
Lumbar Radiculopathy: Occurs when the nerve roots in the base of the spine become compressed, leading to symptoms throughout the lower back, hips, and legs.
Diabetic Neuropathy: Develops due to diabetes.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks your body’s nerves.

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How Albanese Physical Therapy Will Help You Find Relief

Many people with peripheral neuropathy will require multidisciplinary care. Our physical therapists will serve as important members of your care team, helping to manage pain and discomfort and improve motor function.

Here are some of the interventions we might include in a personalized treatment plan:

Pain Management: We offer several all-natural pain management methods, including manual therapy or modalities such as TENS.
Restore or Maintain Muscle Strength: We’ll guide you through a customized exercise program to help improve your muscle strength and endurance.
Improve Overall Movement: We’ll guide you through functional training to maximize mobility and function. This includes helping you restore balance and coordination.
Education About Your Condition: Living with peripheral neuropathy can be difficult. We’ll help you understand your symptoms, why they occur, and what modifications you can make in your day-to-day life to maintain independence.

Don’t let peripheral neuropathy keep you from living your life to the fullest. Schedule an appointment today to learn what Albanese Physical Therapy can do for you!