As a chiropractor for neuropathy in Springfield, IL, I field this question a lot: What is paresthesia?
No, that’s amnesia.
That’s Anastasia, she’s a Russian princess who runs away. There might be a mouse involved?
That’s stevia, STOP GUESSING!
Paresthesia is the feeling of “pins and needles” when an arm or leg falls asleep. Happens to a lot of patients as they lay in bed at night on their phone, inconsolable about having still not solved the day’s Wordle. For most people that feeling goes away as soon as they put their phone down and finally let their arm relax.
For some, however, chronic paresthesia is a symptom of underlying nerve damage. Neuropathy, a pinched nerve, sciatica, carpal tunnel, and even MS can trigger paresthesia. The persistence of chronic paresthesia symptoms, and their relationship to chronic disease, make treating it a bit challenging.
Paresthesia Symptoms
- Pins and needles
- Tingling or burning sensation
- Itching
- Numbness
- Crawling sensation on the skin
- Muscle Weakness
- Stabbing pains
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
So, only some of the most annoying symptoms of nerve dysfunction. I certainly don’t need the feeling of creepy crawlies strutting up and down my legs.
Causes of Paresthesia
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Encephalitis
- Tumor
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Whiplash
- Sciatica
- Pinched Nerve
- Hyperthyroidism
- Panic Attack
- Migraine
- Systemic Infection
- Chemotherapy Drugs, Antibiotics, Anti-seizure Medications, and Antidepressant Withdrawal
- Deficiencies in Vitamin B12, Copper, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B6
People with diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and neurological diseases; those who abuse alcohol or have poor diets; and those whose day is filled with receptive motions like typing, playing a sport, or swiping left and right are most at risk for triggering paresthesia.
Treating paresthesia depends on the root cause. In fact, treating anything depends on the root cause. Any practitioner who is only treating the symptoms, like pain, with over-the-counter medications or referrals for surgery is approaching the issue from the wrong direction.
Treating the underlying deficiency, disease, or nerve issue will help relieve the symptoms long-term and prevent future episodes. Ditch the pills, needles, and knives and embrace the natural paresthesia treatments that will help manage and break the cycle of discomfort.
Natural Tips for Managing Paresthesia
Vitamin D Boost
Restless leg syndrome, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, and chronic pain are all linked to both vitamin D deficiency and paresthesia symptoms. So by the transitive property: more vitamin D, less burning, itching, and numbness. There is a simple solution to a vitamin D deficiency.
There is truly no better source of vitamin D than the center of our very solar system, then. Spending just 20 minutes a time in the sun can boost vitamin D levels, not to mention the attitude boost. There’s no faster way to turn a frown upside down.
For those overcast days, supplements and foods like halibut, mackerel, swordfish, and sardines are also good sources of vitamin D. So book that tropical vacation, doctor’s orders!
This tip is best for people who like ambient drum solos, coconuts, and have an updated passport.
TENS
TENS is an acronym for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Acronyms are our friends. This is a relatively new non-invasive treatment that uses controlled electrical currents to stimulate our nerves’ pain-fighting response.
This treatment is for people who own a Roomba, a Keurig, and sleep with a white noise machine.
Acupuncture
A lot of people feel like acupuncture is more of a mythical practice than one based in science, but it has been widely studied for relieving discomfort and pain associated with paresthesia as a result of chemo-induced neuropathy. We’ve also found that acupuncture is effective for treating carpal tunnel and can actually heal injured peripheral nerves.
This treatment is for people who wear silk in public, believe houseplants are like children, and fill out official documents with a Ticonderoga pencil.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
We live in an inflamed world. In some cases quite literally in flames. Inflammation in our bodies is as destructive as a three-alarm fire. Perhaps worse, because we can’t see it and run to safety. Yes, inflammation is part of the healing process, but when it is left to run wild inflammation can ignite arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, blindness, cancer, diabetes, and possible mental illness.
A diet that is rich in anti-inflammatory foods is vital to fighting off all pain and disease, especially neuropathy-induced paresthesia. The king of anti-inflammatory properties is Turmeric. The spice can be an effective treatment for several of paresthesia’s root causes, including rheumatoid arthritis, infections diseases, and diabetes. Turmeric helps stabilize blood sugar, prevents diabetic neuropathy, and can help manage existing neuropathic pain.
This treatment is for people who are fans of Dune, the Tennessee Volunteers, and Autumn.
Vitamin B6 and B12
It is odd to recommend a nutrient, but for a lot of my patients, paresthesia is the result of nutrient deficiencies. B6 is great for immune function while B12 keeps our blood and nerve cells healthy while it makes DNA.
Wild-caught fish like mackerel, salmon, herring, or tuna are great sources of B12, as well as organic yogurt, turkey, beef, and lamb. Vitamin B6-rich foods like organic turkey breast, grass-fed beef, pistachio nuts, and avocado will give the immune system the boost it needs to ward off infection and disease.
This treatment is for people that like all-you-can-eat buffets, never-ending breadsticks, and believe the cliche “we are what we eat”.
Chiropractic Care for Neuropathy
Neuropathy can be devastating to the quality of life of millions of sufferers. Sorry to bring down the mood. At the Springfield Wellness Center, we take a different approach to treating neuropathy that promotes healing from within by addressing the root cause of the issue.
Chiropractors are nervous system experts and work to optimize the nervous system so that it is free of dysfunction and pain. Our chiropractic treatment for neuropathy uses several protocols to address the multi-faceted issue of neuropathy to ensure the body is balanced and in the proper state to allow the damaged nerves to heal.
From anodyne infrared therapy to ReBuilder nerve stimulation to chiropractic adjustments, we will craft a care plan that is customized to the unique situation of each patient. Call our office or schedule a time to meet with one of our amazing doctors and choose the neuropathy treatment that is free of pills, surgery, and injections.
This treatment is for people who know what’s up.