Treatments of Diabetic Neuropathy Creve Coeur MO

For millions of Americans living with diabetes, the journey often involves more than just monitoring blood sugar levels. It can also mean navigating a complex web of complications, one of the most persistent being diabetic neuropathy.

This condition often starts subtly—a slight tingling in the toes or a moment of numbness in the fingers. Over time, however, it can progress into a debilitating cycle of sharp pains, burning sensations, and muscle weakness that transforms simple daily tasks into significant hurdles.

It's easy to feel isolated when dealing with chronic pain, but early detection and proactive treatment can make a world of difference. Understanding the signals your body is sending is the first step toward reclaiming your comfort and mobility.

Residents of Creve Coeur, MO, are uniquely positioned within a community that offers specialized resources for relief. Whether you have just received a diagnosis or have been managing symptoms for years, knowing your options—from conventional medicine to holistic chiropractic care—empowers you to take control of your health journey.

An Overview of Diabetic Neuropathy and Its Symptoms

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet.

Depending on the affected nerves, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can range from pain and numbness in your legs and feet to problems with your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart. Some people have mild symptoms. But for others, diabetic neuropathy can be quite painful and disabling.

How It Develops

Over time, high blood glucose levels, along with high levels of fats such as triglycerides, can damage your nerves. High blood glucose also damages the small blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Without enough oxygen and nutrients, the nerves cannot function properly.

This damage stops the nerves from sending messages to different parts of your body. It can also send the wrong signals—sending a pain signal when there is nothing causing pain, or not sending a pain signal when you have an injury.

Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy. You may have just one type or symptoms of several types.

1. Peripheral Neuropathy
   This is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. It affects the feet and legs first, followed by the hands and arms. Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are often worse at night and may include:

• Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
• Tingling or burning sensation
• Sharp pains or cramps
• Increased sensitivity to touch—for some people, even the weight of a bedsheet can be painful
• Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone and joint pain

2. Autonomic Neuropathy
   The autonomic nervous system controls your heart, bladder, stomach, intestines, sex organs, and eyes. Diabetes can affect nerves in any of these areas, possibly causing:

• Hypoglycemia unawareness (a lack of awareness that blood sugar levels are low)
• Bladder or bowel problems
• Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), causing nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
• Changes in the way your eyes adjust from light to dark
• Decreased sexual response

3. Proximal Neuropathy (Diabetic Polyradiculopathy)
   This type of neuropathy often affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs. It can also affect the abdominal and chest area. Symptoms are usually on one side of the body, but may spread to the other side. Symptoms may include:

• Severe pain in a hip and thigh or buttock
• Eventual weak and shrinking thigh muscles
• Difficulty rising from a sitting position
• Severe stomach pain

4. Focal Neuropathy (Mononeuropathy)
   There are two types of focal neuropathy: cranial and peripheral. Mononeuropathy refers to damage to a specific single nerve. The nerve may be in the face, torso, or leg. Mononeuropathy is most common in older adults. Although it can cause severe pain, it usually doesn't cause any long-term problems. Symptoms usually disappear without treatment over a few weeks or months.

The Connection Between Blood Sugar and Neuropathy Prevention

While there is currently no known cure for diabetic neuropathy, its progression can be significantly slowed, and symptoms managed, primarily through rigorous blood sugar control.

Maintaining Healthy Levels

The most effective way to prevent neuropathy or stop its progression is to keep blood glucose levels as close to the target range as possible. Consistent monitoring allows you to understand how different foods, activities, and stressors affect your levels.

When blood sugar is kept within a healthy range, it protects the blood vessels that supply the nerves. This ensures that nerves receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to remain healthy and function correctly.

Managing Diabetes Through Lifestyle

Management goes beyond just checking numbers. It involves a holistic approach to health:

• Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is crucial for managing diabetes. Limiting processed sugars and unhealthy fats helps stabilize blood sugar levels and supports overall health and well-being.
• Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity is essential for controlling blood sugar levels. Activities like walking, cycling, or swimming improve blood flow, support heart health, and enhance insulin sensitivity, which aids in maintaining a stable range.
• Medication: Properly managing diabetes includes taking medications or insulin as prescribed. Skipping doses can lead to dangerous blood sugar fluctuations, which may harm nerves and blood vessels over time, increasing the risk of complications.

Research shows that tight glucose control can reduce neuropathy symptoms by over 60%. Even if you already have some nerve damage, getting your blood sugar under better control can help reduce pain and improve the health of your nerves.

Conventional Approaches to Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

When you visit a general practitioner for diabetic neuropathy, the focus is often on symptom management and preventing further damage.

Medications

To manage the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, doctors often prescribe:

• Anti-seizure medications: Drugs such as gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are often used.
• Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can help relieve nerve pain.
• Topical creams: Capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches can offer localized relief.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can improve strength and balance, crucial if neuropathy has led to muscle weakness. Trained therapists guide patients through targeted exercises designed to enhance circulation, alleviate pain, and restore mobility. These customized routines help individuals regain confidence in their movements and reduce the risk of falls or further complications.

Limitations of Conventional Approaches

While these treatments can be effective for many, they often come with limitations. Medications can cause side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and swelling. Furthermore, while they mask the pain, they do not necessarily address the root cause of the nerve damage or help regenerate the damaged tissue. This leads many patients to seek complementary therapies that can offer relief without heavy reliance on pharmaceuticals.

How Chiropractic Care May Help Reduce Neuropathy Symptoms

For those seeking a more holistic path to relief, chiropractic care offers a compelling alternative or complement to traditional medicine. Many people associate chiropractors solely with back pain, but their expertise extends to the entire nervous system.

Addressing the Root Cause

Chiropractors focus on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system). Misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can interfere with nerve signals. By correcting these misalignments through spinal adjustments, chiropractors help ensure that the nervous system can communicate effectively with the rest of the body.

For diabetic neuropathy specifically, ensuring that the nerves exiting the spine are not compressed or irritated is crucial. While chiropractic care cannot cure diabetes, removing interference in the nervous system can help the body function better and may improve circulation to the extremities.

Holistic Approaches

Chiropractors often employ a variety of techniques beyond adjustments:

• Nutritional Counseling: Given the link between blood sugar and neuropathy, chiropractors often provide specific dietary advice to help manage inflammation and glucose levels.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques to relax tight muscles and improve blood flow.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy: Some clinics use cold lasers to help stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation in damaged nerves.

This whole-body approach aligns well with the needs of diabetic patients, who often require comprehensive lifestyle changes to manage their condition effectively.

What Sets Bonesetters in Creve Coeur, MO Apart

For residents of Creve Coeur seeking specialized care, Bonesetters represents a leading option for neuropathy treatment. Under the guidance of Dr. Hayes, Bonesetters has established itself as a clinic dedicated to addressing the root causes of pain using advanced methodologies.

A Focus on Root Causes

The mission at Bonesetters goes beyond temporary relief. They are committed to providing advanced, whole-body chiropractic care that targets the underlying issues contributing to neuropathy. Dr. Hayes and the team understand that neuropathy is not just a collection of symptoms but a systemic issue requiring a targeted response.

Their clinic specializes in treating peripheral neuropathy through evidence-based, personalized treatment plans. They recognize that every patient's experience with diabetes and neuropathy is different, and therefore, cookie-cutter solutions rarely work.

Gentle, Cutting-Edge Treatment

One of the fears many patients have regarding chiropractic care is the idea of forceful cracking or popping. Bonesetters utilizes gentle treatment methods supported by cutting-edge technology. This approach is particularly important for neuropathy patients who may already be dealing with heightened sensitivity to touch and pain.

By using precise, low-force adjustments and advanced therapeutic technologies, they aim to stimulate nerve healing and improve circulation without causing additional distress. The goal is to restore function, improve quality of life, and help every patient reclaim lasting wellness—even when other treatments have failed.

Simple Lifestyle Changes to Manage Neuropathy

Regardless of the medical or chiropractic treatments you pursue, lifestyle changes remain the bedrock of managing diabetic neuropathy.

Diet and Exercise

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can significantly benefit nerve health. Incorporate foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin B12, and alpha-lipoic acid to support nerve function. Additionally, regular exercise helps control blood sugar levels and boosts blood flow to the legs and feet, which is essential for preventing further nerve damage and promoting overall healing and wellness.

Stress Management

Chronic stress releases hormones that can constrict blood vessels and raise blood sugar levels, exacerbating neuropathy symptoms. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can alleviate these effects. These practices promote relaxation, improve circulation, and help regulate blood sugar levels, leading to a positive physical impact on managing diabetic neuropathy effectively.

Essential Foot Care

Because neuropathy often reduces sensation in the feet, injuries can go unnoticed and become infected. Daily foot care is non-negotiable:

• Check your feet every day for cuts, redness, swelling, or blisters.
• Wash your feet daily in warm water and dry them carefully.
• Wear shoes that fit well and allow your toes to move.
• Keep the skin soft and smooth with lotion, but avoid putting it between your toes to prevent fungal infections.

Providers like Bonesetters can offer personalized advice on these lifestyle adjustments, tailoring recommendations to your specific mobility levels and health status.

Taking the First Step Toward Long-Term Nerve Relief

Living with diabetic neuropathy can feel like a losing battle against your own body. The constant discomfort and the fear of losing mobility can be overwhelming. However, resignation is not the only option.

Whether it is numbness keeping you up at night or weakness preventing you from enjoying walks in Creve Coeur beautiful parks, help is available. By combining diligent blood sugar management with specialized care like that offered at Bonesetters, you can alter the trajectory of your condition.

You do not have to accept pain as your new normal. Reclaiming your comfort starts with a single step—reaching out for help. If you are ready to explore how chiropractic care can change your life, consider scheduling a consultation with Bonesetters. Their team is ready to listen to your story, evaluate your needs, and build a plan to get you back on your feet.

Your journey from numbness to relief begins today.