Peripheral... Meaning, in this case, beyond the brain and the spinal cord (or the outside of the central body... namely, hands or feet).  Neuropathy... Meaning, Neuro (relating to the nerves) and -pathy... Disease.

Peripheral Neuropathy can be not only very uncomfortable feeling in the feet or hands, but dangerous as well.  In fact, some state even restrict drivers license of those afflicted; reasoning, that if one cannot adequately feel ones feet or properly grasp a steering wheel, they have no business driving a motor vehicle.

Neuropathy can be caused by a multitude of issues ranging from Diabetes, Alcoholism, Chemotherapy, Age, Trauma or simply no reason at all - which is generally called Idopathic Neuropathy.  Generally, Peripheral Neuropathy pertains only to the extremities - in other words, the hands and feet.

There are over 100 different types of neuropathy; but the main forms we treat are:

Cranial: (Kray-nee-ul)

Nerves go from your brain to your eyes, mouth, ears and other parts of your head.

 
Central:

Nerves are in your brain and spinal cord.

 
Autonomic: (Aw-toh-nom-ik)

Nerves go from your spinal cord to your lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, bladder and sex organs.

And Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies

Often, however, depending upon the root cause of the neuropathy, other neuropathies can accompany the Peripheral Neuropathy - such as Autonomic Neuropathy.  Very often, clients complain to us that they have a weak bladder or what they believe might be irritable bowel syndrome when what it turns out they really suffer from is Autonomic Neuropathy.

Mononeuropathy Damage to a single peripheral nerve is called mononeuropathy. Physical injury or trauma such as from an accident is the most common cause. Prolonged pressure on a nerve, caused by extended periods being sedentary such as in a wheelchair or bed, or continuous, repetitive motions can trigger mononeuropathy. If the fibrous, shock-absorbing discs that lie between the bones in the back are damaged, they could press on a nerve and cause this type of neuropathy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type of mononeuropathy. It is called an overuse strain injury, which occurs when the nerve that extends through the wrist is compressed. People whose work requires repeated motions with the wrist extended (such as assembly-line workers, physical laborers, and those who use computer keyboards for prolonged periods) are at greater risk.

The damage to the nerve can result in numbness, tingling, unusual sensations, and pain in the first three fingers on the thumb side of the hand, particularly while sleeping. In time, carpal tunnel injuries can weaken the muscles in the hand. You may also feel pain, tingling, or burning in your arm and shoulder.

Here are examples of other mononeuropathies that can cause weakness in the affected parts of the body, such as hands and feet:Ulnar nerve palsy occurs when the nerve that passes close to the surface of the skin at the elbow is damaged. Radial nerve palsy is caused by injury to the nerve that runs along the underside of the arm. Peroneal nerve palsy results when the nerve at the top of the calf behind the knee is compressed. This leads to a condition called "foot drop".

Neuropathy can affect nerves that control muscle movement (motor nerves) and those that detect sensations such as coldness or pain (sensory nerves). In some cases, it can affect internal organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, bladder, or intestines. Neuropathy that affects internal organs is called an autonomic neuropathy.

Mononeuropathy multiplex is when several isolated nerves are involved.

Polyneuropathy accounts for the greatest number of peripheral neuropathy cases. It occurs when many peripheral nerves throughout the body malfunction at the same time. Polyneuropathy can have a wide variety of causes, including exposure to certain toxins, poor nutrition (particularly vitamin B deficiency), and complications from diseases such as cancer or kidney failure.

One of the most common forms of chronic polyneuropathy is diabetic neuropathy, a condition that occurs in people with diabetes. It is the result of poorly controlled blood sugar levels. Though less common, diabetes can also cause mononeuropathy, often characterized by weakness of the eye or of the thigh muscles.

These are the most common symptoms of polyneuropathy:  Tingling Numbness Loss of sensation in the arms and legs

Because people with chronic polyneuropathy often lose their ability to sense temperature and pain, they can burn themselves and develop open sores as the result of injury or prolonged pressure. If the nerves serving the organs are involved, diarrhea or constipation may result, as well as loss of bowel or bladder control. Sexual dysfunction and abnormally low blood pressure also can occur.

Joints are particularly vulnerable to stress in people with polyneuropathy because they are often insensitive to pain.

One of the most serious polyneuropathies is Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disease that strikes suddenly when the body's immune system attacks nerves in the body. Symptoms tend to appear quickly and worsen rapidly, sometimes leading to paralysis. Early symptoms include weakness, tingling, and loss of sensation in the legs that eventually spreads to the arms. Blood pressure problems, heart rhythm problems, and breathing difficulty may occur in critical cases. However, despite the severity of the disease, recovery rates are good when patients receive treatment early.What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Many things can cause peripheral neuropathies so it is often difficult to know the cause. Neuropathies occur by one of three methods:  Acquired neuropathies are caused by environmental factors such as toxins, trauma, illness, or infection. Known causes of acquired neuropathies include:

Diabetes - responsible for many cases of peripheral neuropathy Several rare inherited diseases Alcoholism Poor nutrition or vitamin deficiency Herniated discs in the back Certain kinds of cancer Conditions where nerves are mistakenly attacked by the body’s own immune system or damaged by an overaggressive response to injury Certain medications Kidney or thyroid disease Infections such as Lyme disease, shingles, AIDS or Agent Orange exposure.

Hereditary neuropathies, such as HNPP (Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies) are not as common. Hereditary neuropathies are diseases of the peripheral nerves that are genetically passed from parent to child. The most common of these is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1. It is characterized by weakness in the legs and, to a lesser degree, the arms -- symptoms that usually appear between mid-childhood and age 30. This disease is caused by degeneration of the insulation that normally surrounds the nerves and helps them conduct the electrical impulses needed for them to trigger muscle movement.  Idiopathic neuropathies are from an unknown cause. As many as one-third of all neuropathies are classified in this way.

However, when it comes to HNPP, it is characterized by repeated focal pressure neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome and peroneal palsy with foot drop.  Unlike most neuropathies, recovery from acute neuropathy is often complete; when recovery is not complete, the resulting disability is usually mild. We have found that use of the Incredibrace can be very beneficial to this type of neuropathy as well as Neuromuscular Stimulation.  Anodyne therapy can also be of benefit; but vibrational therapies can actually make the symptoms seem worse.

However, through the use of our NeuroCare unit, we are able to speed healing of not only neuropathy but symptoms of Parkinsons disease, MS, Diabetes, Muscle Atrophy, Female Incontinence, Depression, Pressure Ulcers and Bedsores, Stress, Acute Anxiety Disorders, Migraine Headache, Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Carpel and Tarsel Tunnel Syndrome, Post Polio Syndrome, Post Surgical Symptoms, Knee pain, Elbow Pain, and much much more!