Peripheral Neuropathy

Common causes include systemic diseases (such as diabetes or leprosy), vitamin deficiency, medication (e.g., chemotherapy), traumatic injury, excessive alcohol consumption, immune system disease, or infection, or it may be inherited (present from birth).

Treating Peripheral Neuropathy with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM

For some people it is experienced as the uncomfortable sensation of “pins and needles” or burning pain (especially at night) of their hands or feet. Others may suffer even more extreme symptoms such as muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction.
With more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathies in existence, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis, the symptoms can vary as much as the cause. Nevertheless, Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that can be treated with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body.
In most cases, peripheral neuropathy is secondary to conditions including diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, AIDS, or poisoning from heavy metals, chemotherapy, or various drugs.
Other causes include compression or entrapment (carpal tunnel syndrome), direct physical injury to a nerve (trauma), penetrated injuries, fractures or dislocated bones, pressure involving superficial nerves (ulna or radial) which can result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in same position, tumor, intraneural hemorrhage, exposure to cold, radiation or atherosclerosis.
It is a syndrome which includes symptoms of numbness, tingling, pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, burning pain, and muscle weakness and atrophy of the arms and legs. The feet and legs are likely to be affected before the hands and arms.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include:

• numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature
• a tingling, burning, or prickling sensation
• sharp, burning pain or cramps
• extreme sensitivity to touch, even a light touch
• loss of balance and coordination
• muscle weakness
• muscle wasting
• paralysis

These symptoms are often worse at night.
Many people have signs of neuropathy upon examination but have no symptoms at all.
How can acupuncture treat peripheral neuropathy?
Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that Peripheral neuropathy is due to dampness moving to the limbs, where it obstructs the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood within them. The treatment is twofold, to treat the underlying factor that is causing this dampness to accumulate and to directly facilitate the circulation of Qi and Blood in the affected area. By improving the circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and reduce pain.
Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom for many different patterns of disharmony within the body. Oriental Medicine aims to treat each individual uniquely depending on what caused the neuropathy and how it manifests.
Your acupuncturist may do an interview and ask questions about how, what, where and when you feel pain, perspire, sleep, eat, drink and exercise, to name a few. The practitioner may also feel the pulse and observing the tongue. This interview and physical examination will help create a clear picture on which your practitioners can create a treatment plan specifically for you.
In addition to acupuncture, other methods such as transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses small amounts of electricity to block pain signals, cutaneous acupuncture, herbal and physical therapy may be combined to achieve faster results.
What is Cutaneous Acupuncture?
Cutaneous Acupuncture is the use of acupuncture needles to stimulate an area superficially by tapping to promote the smooth flow of Qi and Blood.
The Plum blossom needle and the Seven-Star needle are special tools that are composed of a small bunch of needles attached to a handle like a hammer or broom. They are often used in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. The affected area would be lightly tapped starting at the toes or fingers and then up the legs and arms.
Plastic, disposable plum blossom needles or seven-star needles are available for treatment at home.
What Points Are Used?
In treating peripheral neuropathy, acupuncture points on the affected area are used (treating the branch) as well as points on various parts of the body to treat the person according to their particular pattern (treating the root).
Each patient is custom-treated according to his or her specific and unique diagnosis. There are many acupuncture points on the hands and feet. Often the points will be chosen by which are the most tender to obtain the best results.
Commonly used points
Upper Limb

• LI-15
• LI-11
• SJ-5
• LI-4
• Baxie Points

Lower Limb

• GB-30
• GB-34
• GB-39
• SP-6

Body Points

• DU-14
• DU-12
• DU-9
• UB-14
• UB-16
• LI-11
• UB-60

What Studies have been done on Acupuncture and Peripheral Neuropathy?
Studies have suggested that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective treatments for peripheral neuropathy.
In a study of 46 diabetic patients with PN, 34 of them reported a significant improvement in their symptoms after six courses of acupuncture treatment, and only eight of them required further sessions. However, only seven of the 34 had complete relief of their symptoms.
A larger study of 250 patients with HIV-related peripheral neuropathy compared the effects of acupuncture, amitriptyline, and placebo. Participants were assigned to receive acupuncture at standardized acupuncture points or at placebo (“fake”) points, or amitriptyline or a placebo. The researchers found no significant difference in pain relief between the active treatments or the placebos. The acupuncture points studied in this trial were standardized so that everyone received exactly the same treatment. Acupuncture treatments are usually designed to fit the individual, and, as the researchers concluded, individualized treatments may have a different effect.

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Note:
We have treated patients with Peripheral Neuropathy and results are good. Patients feel better with no or less pain and normal movement and flexibility after 4 weeks sessions.