Peripheral Neuropathy: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How You Can Fight Back
Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of people—and if you’re one of them, you already know it can disrupt every part of daily life. That pins-and-needles sensation in your feet, the burning pain in your hands, the balance problems, or even the muscle weakness—it all adds up.
The good news? You’re not powerless. There’s a lot you can do to attack the neuropathy before it attacks your life—and we’re here to help you understand your options, from traditional medicine to cutting-edge therapies like laser therapy, HakoMed, and PEMF.
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves—those outside the brain and spinal cord. These nerves carry messages to and from the brain, muscles, skin, and internal organs.
When those nerves are damaged, the messages get scrambled—or don’t get through at all—causing symptoms like:
Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet
Sharp, shooting, or throbbing pain
Loss of coordination or balance
Muscle weakness
Heat intolerance or altered sweating
Digestive issues and blood pressure changes (if autonomic nerves are involved)
What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
There are over 100 known causes, but some of the most common include:
Diabetes (most common cause in the U.S.)
Chemotherapy or radiation exposure
Autoimmune diseases (like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
Infections (like Lyme disease, HIV, hepatitis C)
Vitamin deficiencies (especially B1, B6, B12, niacin, and vitamin E)
Alcohol abuse
Toxins (e.g., heavy metals, mold, pesticides)
Trauma or nerve compression (like carpal tunnel)
Idiopathic (cause unknown)
How Is It Diagnosed?
A full evaluation usually includes:
Detailed history and physical exam
Blood tests to rule out deficiencies, diabetes, thyroid problems, infections
EMG and nerve conduction studies to assess how well nerves are working
MRI or imaging if structural issues are suspected
Sometimes nerve biopsy or skin biopsy for small fiber neuropathy
But here’s our approach: Don’t wait for your nerves to be "bad enough" for an invasive test. Attack the problem early with a comprehensive plan.
Traditional Treatments: A Mixed Bag
Doctors often start with:
Medications:
Gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine for nerve pain
Capsaicin cream or lidocaine patches
Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Physical therapy to improve strength and prevent falls
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) to block pain signals
These can help, but they don’t work for everyone—and they rarely treat the root cause.
Our Holistic Approach: Combining Innovation with Personalized Care
We take a multi-layered strategy at Back to Basics Medical Practice, integrating traditional and innovative therapies to reduce pain, stimulate healing, and restore function.
🧲 HakoMed Electroceutical Therapy
This advanced form of Horizontal Therapy uses both low- and high-frequency currents to:
Block pain signals
Stimulate nerve repair and ATP production
Improve blood flow to the nerves
Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
Reported benefits:
Reduced tingling, numbness, and pain
Improved balance and coordination
Better nerve conduction
Enhanced quality of life
Ideal for:
Diabetic or chemo-induced neuropathy
Idiopathic neuropathy
Post-traumatic nerve damage
🌐 PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) Therapy
This non-invasive therapy uses pulsed electromagnetic fields to:
Increase circulation and nitric oxide production
Reduce inflammatory cytokines (like IL-6, TNF-alpha)
Stimulate Schwann cells to rebuild damaged nerve coatings (myelin)
Enhance mitochondrial energy (ATP)
Reported benefits:
Reduced pain, burning, and numbness
Improved sensation, sleep, and gait
Long-term nerve support with consistent sessions
🔴 Laser Therapy (Low-Level Laser Therapy / Photobiomodulation)
Laser therapy delivers specific wavelengths of light that penetrate tissues and:
Stimulate damaged cells to regenerate and repair
Reduce inflammation and pain without drugs
Improve cell metabolism and blood flow
Promote tissue healing and nerve function
Sessions are quick, painless (5–10 minutes), and non-invasive. Most patients require multiple sessions (10–20), depending on severity.
Laser therapy is especially promising for people looking for a side-effect-free, medication-sparing alternative.
What Else You Can Do
No matter what therapies you choose, supporting your nerves from the inside out is essential.
🥦 Lifestyle & Nutrition
Manage blood sugar tightly if diabetic
Stop smoking and limit alcohol
Eat a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet
Supplement with B vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid, and omega-3s
🏃 Exercise and Movement
Regular low-impact exercise improves circulation and nerve health
Stretching and balance training reduce fall risk
😌 Stress Management
Chronic stress and poor sleep worsen neuropathy symptoms. Support nervous system balance with:
Breathwork and mindfulness
Gentle yoga or Tai Chi
Acupuncture or massage
You Don’t Have to Suffer
If you're battling neuropathy, you don’t need to settle for “managing it” indefinitely. With the right strategy, you can make real progress toward healing.
At Back to Basics Medical Practice, we go beyond just masking symptoms. We look at the whole person, listen carefully, and create custom treatment plans using evidence-based integrative therapies.
📞 Call us at B2B today to schedule a consultation, ask questions, or explore whether our Summus Horizon Laser, our HakoMed home units, or our PEMF—or a combination—is right for you. Our compassionate team is here to help you reclaim comfort, strength, and confidence.