Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Kulus, an acupuncturist at the Henry Ford Center, explains neuropathy in this way:
“Peripheral neuropathy can affect different nerves, from the sensory nerves responsible for registering sensations (like hot, cold, painful, and soft) to the motor nerves that govern how you move. It can even impact the autonomic nerves that control your body temperature, heart rate, and digestion.”
“Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, vitamin deficiencies or over-supplementation, autoimmune diseases, metabolic problems, and exposure to toxins (such as chemotherapy drugs). But one of the most common causes is diabetes.”
Symptoms vary from person to person, depending on which nerves are affected. You might feel a gradual numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, which spreads into your limbs. You might experience sharp pain and sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness and paralysis, or bladder problems and incontinence.
Acupuncture is an ancient holistic therapy that helps patients suffering from neuropathy. Acupuncturists stimulate a healing response by inserting tiny sterile needles at particular acupoints. Thousands of patients benefit each year from this nondrug, nonsurgical neuropathy treatment approach to healthcare. Although acupuncturists and Western medical doctors may have different explanations for the treatment, acupuncture therapy is a widely used, highly effective neuropathy treatment option for many.
One medical doctor explains how acupuncture helps neuropathy in the following manner:
“Yes, acupuncture uses the gate control theory of pain and the summative effect of our body’s analgesic chemicals in response to a minor stimulus. Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective in peripheral neuropathies such as diabetic neuropathy, Bell’s Palsy, and carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS). Acupuncture also helps in nerve regeneration and preservation.”
Another explained how acupuncture works in a somewhat different way:
“Acupuncture is a therapy that involves inserting thin needles into various points on the body to relieve chronic pain and stimulate blood flow. It is an effective treatment for peripheral neuropathy, with fewer side effects than medications. Acupuncture might require multiple sessions to see improvement.”
Still, another explanation states:
“Acupuncture can help manage neuropathy by stimulating specific body points to enhance the body’s natural healing mechanisms. It boosts endorphin production, improves blood flow, and modulates the nervous system to alleviate neuropathy symptoms. Recent studies have shown promising results for acupuncture as a treatment for neuropathy.”
The acupuncturist mentioned above Dr. Kulus describes how acupuncture helps neuropathy in the following manner:
“According to traditional Chinese medicine, peripheral neuropathy happens when there’s a blockage of energy (called qi) and blood in the body. If qi and blood don’t flow freely, our cells and tissues don’t receive the necessary nourishment.”
Acupuncture is good at restoring blood flow and stimulating the body’s nerve pathways. It can also help with nerve regeneration and preservation. If there has been nerve damage or diminished sensation, we target treatment in these areas to re-stimulate those nerve fibers.”
“With local needling around the fingertips, for example, we’re able to stimulate blood flow to the capillaries, which, in turn, makes the nerves work better,” While medications can help manage symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, they do not stall the course of the disease — and some have nasty side effects. Anyone with peripheral neuropathy should try acupuncture to get relief, mainly if medications and other strategies haven’t worked.”
Whereas different people may have to alter explanations as to how acupuncture treats neuropathy, ranging from blood flow enhancement to boosting endorphin production to modulating the nervous system, everything points to helping patients effectively reduce neuropathy symptoms using natural means.
Call the Acupractic Natural Healing Center today at (919) 929-1400 to see how acupuncture can help reduce pain and help you feel better naturally. Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, licensed acupuncturist and doctor of chiropractic, has served the Triangle since 1995 with quality alternative and complementary healthcare. Visit online at acudocnc.com to learn more and schedule online 24 hours a day.