Neuropathy Treatment Options

Neuropathy occurs as a result of nerve damage. It can cause symptoms like pain, weakness, and numbness, often in the hands and feet. There are many causes of neuropathy, including injury, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and certain types of cancer. Here are a few options for neuropathy treatment Jacksonville FL.

Medication

There are a few different types of medications used to control neuropathy symptoms. For pain, neuropathy patients can use over-the-counter pain relievers for mild symptoms or prescribed painkillers containing opioids for more severe symptoms. Topical treatments are another option for pain relief. Additionally, certain antidepressants and anti-seizure medications have shown to help with nerve pain. 

TENS Therapy

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a form of therapy during which electrodes are placed on the skin. A machine called a TENS unit is then turned on, delivering small electrical impulses to the patient’s nervous system. This can be an effective form of pain relief for many neuropathy patients.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help with neuropathy symptoms like muscle weakness. Through strengthening exercises, patients can gain back some of their muscle in body parts that have been affected by neuropathy. Additionally, physical therapists may provide mobility devices like a cane, walker, wheelchair, or braces to help with symptoms.

Alternative Medicine

Some patients have found relief from alternative medicines like acupuncture and herbs. Although these treatments haven’t been researched as extensively as other medicines, they have proven to help relieve symptoms in certain patients.

Surgery

For some people, the only option for neuropathy treatment is surgery. This can be the case for patients with neuropathy caused by nerve pressure. In instances like these, the surgeon may opt to remove whatever is causing the pressure if it is something like a tumor or mass.

Although neuropathy can have many distressing symptoms, there are plenty of specialists who are experts in treatments like the ones listed above. Through different treatments and lifestyle changes, neuropathy patients are able to find relief.