Amongst many other painful conditions that Acupuncture can treat, Peripheral Neuropathy is one of them.

Peripheral nerves are messengers from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body and carriers of sensory information to the brain from the periphery.

Peripheral - away from centre. Neuro - Nerve, Pathy - Problem.

Peripheral Neuropathy is the damage of the peripheral nerves to any grade leading to inflammation of the nerves and thereby to symptoms like pain, numbness, pricking sensation, burning sensation and loss of sensation in either of the limbs.

Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include:

• Numbness, prickling or tingling in the feet or hands, which can spread upward into the legs and arms
• Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain
• Sensitivity to touch
• Lack of coordination and sense of imbalance leading to frequent falling
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis if motor nerves are affected

If autonomic nerves are affected, signs and symptoms might include:

• Heat intolerance
• Excessive sweating or not being able to sweat
• Bowel, bladder or digestive problems
• Drops in blood pressure, causing dizziness or light headedness

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

• Injury or pressure on the Nerve along its path
• Vitamin B 12 deficiency
• Diabetes Mellitus affecting the nerve health and circulation of the blood
• Tumours
• Certain Medications including chemotherapy for cancer, etc…
• Certain infections like Herpes, EBV, Hepatitis etc
• Certain Autoimmune diseases
• Excessive alcoholism
• Exposure to poisons

Role of Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture therapy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine is about bringing a state of homeostasis in the body and the mind by balancing energy circulation throughout.

It involves inserting very fine, pre-sterilised single use disposable needles into specific points on the body in a certain direction and to a certain depth in order to elicit required response from the body. In many conditions, electrical stimulation is given to these points via the needles.

There are many studies that have proven the effect of Acupuncture in the management of Peripheral Neuropathy by improving

• Nerve conduction
• Improving blood circulation
• Reduction in the nerve pain and also in Diabetes induced and HIV induced Neuropathy ^[1-10].

Some of the effects by which Acupuncture is effective are:

• It improves the local blood circulation and therefore enhances the healing of the nerves by nourishing them.
• It induces the release of natural pain killers and anti-inflammatory chemicals that help in bringing down the inflammation in the nerves and also pain
• It enhances the nerve conduction by stimulation the nerve function
• It induces relaxation of the muscles and enhances the function of the muscles that are compromised due to neuropathy
• It is effective in management of diabetes and therefore can prevent and manage diabetic neuropathy
• It regulates immune functions and thereby manages auto-immune disorders and infections induced neuropathy.

Thus, Acupuncture can help in the management of Peripheral Neuropathy and better effective when started early.

References

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Dr Deepashree S, BNYS, MSCCFT - Consultant, Anandamaya Wellness Center