Success with Foot Pain/Numbness Sometimes I wonder if people get tired of hearing me talk about painful problems with the body. I know we are able to help many people get rid of pain and get back to doing things instead of life passing them by. However, it is just me telling you. I thought you might like to hear someone else for a change, and here is Jessie Porters story. Jessie is a pleasant, somewhat quiet lady who is a retired nurse who worked at a local hospital for many years as an emergency room nurse. When she came to see us two months ago she said her feet were a problem. She had stabbing and burning pain in her feet. No spasms or cramping. She eventually brought in a picture from a magazine which showed 2 feet with push pins stuck in them all over. “This is what it feels like” she said. She could not stand the sock seams on her feet as they were “too sensitive”. She could not stand hot water on her feet. She could not take baths due to this lack of tolerance of anything hot on her feet. She could not stand sheets on her toes at night. As far as her medical history she had a history of a back problem she had from birth called spinal bifida plus she had restless leg syndrome. She also had poor circulation with a triple bypass four years ago. High blood pressure controlled with medication. She said rain and humidity made her problem worse. She also had a history of diverticulitis and osteoporosis with osteoarthritis. She said her balance was poor and she was concerned about falling. She said her pain was always worse in her feet at night. If she was on her feet more that day, she felt it more that night. She said she also was concerned about her ability to continue to take care of her older sister. Oh, by the way, she had trouble like this with her feet for over ten years! She has tried many different medicines, creams, lotions, pills and you name it. She said taking a medicine called Neurontin helped her pain a little but “not much”.When I asked her what she wanted she said “get some relief in my feet at night, if I could get a decent nights rest”. When I examined her feet they looked normal but were cool to the touch.Her reflexes were normal and so was her strength in her ankles and toes. Her balance was affected, especially if she closed her eyes. This led me to believe she could not feel her feet very well. Testing with the painless nerve testing (Pressure Specific Sensory Service) PSSD showed loss of sensation, particularly in the toes but it was mild. I was optimistic we could help. We began treatment right away. Treatment consisted of Anodyne Infrared Light Therapy and stretching exercises. After approximately three weeks at three times a week she began “feeling a little better”. Then after 8 weeks at three times a week she proclaimed “My feet are feeling good, I can feel my toes”. But don’t take my word for it, listen to Jessie’s success story in her own words. Jessie Porter’s “Success Story” I came to Tri-State Hand and Occupational Therapy because of pain, burning, stabbing, and numbness in my toes. Knew I had toes, could see them but they didn’t work well. Tried various treatments but my doctors didn’t seem to understand my problems. Write a prescription and see you in 6 months.For the past 10 years this has been my life, suffer in silence, one begins to think perhaps they have a mental condition. Dread going to bed at night because of the pain etc. One joins the “night walkers club” get out of bed and walk the floor, take pain medicine.On the 3rd week of Anodyne treatment I could feel a change. Sleep pattern has improved, better color and circulation and I now feel 5 toes in my shoes while walking with better balance. I appreciate all the work the staff has done to help me become normal again in finding my toes. My only regret has been I didn’t come sooner for the Anodyne treatments. If you or someone you know has pain or problems give us a call at 301-759-4263. You will receive my personal individual attention to get a handle on your problem. Don’t let things pass you by that you could be doing. Give us a call today! Remember, try therapy first at Tri State Hand and Occupational Therapy. You will come in a patient and leave as a friend. Please Be Careful When Driving, Kids are Returning to school! When backing out of the driveway, watch out for kids bicycling or walking to school. Drive carefully around school bus stops. Be alert, slow down. Children running late may dart into the street. Yellow flashing lights on bus = bus preparing to stop or slow down, use caution, slow down. Red flashing lights, extended stop arms. You must stop from either direction approaching the bus, wait until the light stops flashing and extended stop arms are withdrawn and the bus begins moving again. Then begin driving. Be Safe out there! |
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