Peripheral Neuropathy When the Numbness, Weakness, and Pain Just Won’t Stop! What is peripheral neuropathy? Numbness or tingling in the feet, toes or hands. It may feel like a sensation of your sock is folded on your toe but when you look it’s just fine. Patients frequently say my feet feel like stumps or something rolled under their feet. Patients also feel burning, stinging or shooting pains in the feet or all over the body. One gentleman not only had it in his feet but his hands as well. He had trouble buttoning shirts and turning keys. I had a really sweet elderly lady who said she could not stand to be on her feet for more than five minutes due to numbness and stinging in her toes. She was so frustrated because she could not do her own grocery shopping anymore, something she dearly loved to do. Worse yet her balance was terrible. She had fallen two times in the last three months. Her daughter came with her on her first appointment and she was very concerned about her mom’s safety. A patient named Joseph McGowan had some real problems too. He had severe numbness in his feet and very bad balance. Unfortunately it had progressed to the point where he also had tingling in his fingers and hands. He was skeptical the Anodyne treatment we had could work for him. He has been diabetic for 15 years. His feet were stiff and swollen. At night he got cramping in his calves as well. He could not walk for more than five minutes. As far as his hands went, he could only make a fist halfway with either hand. They were stiff and swollen too. When I measured the sensation in his feet he had almost no sensation in his toes. Normally if I touch patient’s toes with 0.1 ounce of pressure they should feel it. For Joe, it took more pressure of 2.5 ounces. They were really numb and unfortunately the rest of the feet were not much better. His balance was very poor. Joe’s goals were to get better balance, walk more and be able to use his hands more. We began treatment of Anodyne Light Therapy and stretching and lower level balance training. He came 3 times a week. Slowly but surely the sensation started to come back in his feet. The measurements showed a dramatic improvement after 4 weeks. At first on the top of the feet, later as his treatment progressed it was the bottom of the feet and the toes as well. Then we began using Anodyne on his hands along with stretching, ultrasound and electrical stimulation to the carpal tunnels. His hands became less stiff and numb too! But don’t take my word for it here is what Joseph McGowan wrote: “When I first went to TriState Hand and Occupational Therapy my hands were stiff and painful and tingling. My feet were numb and I had trouble with balance. Sure enough as I began treatment my feet got more sensation and my balance improved. They used Anodyne Light treatments plus stretching and massage, bike exercises and hot wax treatments to my hands. Also a Dynasplint machine to stretch my hands”. “My experience was very positive. Laura, Bethany and Kenton were all very helpful and knowledgeable in their help they gave me”. “I have more feeling in my feet and my balance is better. I feel better generally overall. A special thanks to Bryan and his staff who were so very nice to work with”. So there you have it. If you are tired of numb or painful feet or have poor balance and walking consider treatment with the Anodyne Light Therapy Program. Some days it can be tough to get off the couch. Instead of letting life pass you by why not get this latest technology to help you be more active to do the things you like to do. Call us at 301-759-4263 to schedule an appointment. Call your doctor for a referral. Do it today! Tips For Better Foot Care DO Wash feet daily- Dry carefully and thoroughly between toes. Powder feet after washing. Apply a mild lubricant or lotion nightly. Keep feet warn and dry. Inspect feet daily for lesions-Use a mirror if necessary. Warm feet at night by wearing loose-fitting woolen socks to bed. Purchase and wear well-fitting shoes (tennis shoes or soft leather). Break in new shoes gradually. Inspect shoe interior for worn liner or foreign objects. Change shoes once a day and always wear socks. Check bath water or heaters with hand prior to touching with foot. Have feet inspected routinely by a podiatrist. Immediately report any skin lesions to your podiatrist. DO NOT Smoke Soak your feet unless instructed by your doctor. Walk barefoot, even indoors. Cut your own toenails. Cut corns or calluses or use “acid pads”. Wear open-toed shoes or thongs. Apply heating pads, hot packs, or hot water bottle to the feet. Sit close to stoves or fireplaces with your feet. |
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