Life with neuropathy can feel like a never-ending cycle of pain, numbness, and a loss of the simple joys of living. This complex medical issue can arise from a multitude of circumstances, ranging from personal injuries such as auto accidents and falls to degenerative diseases.
At Chicago Personal Injury Centers, we offer specialized, multi-faceted treatment for neuropathy. Using a blend of modern technology and medical expertise, our team aims to not just manage your symptoms, but improve your overall quality of life.
Take the first step in breaking free from the crippling effects of neuropathy. Give us a call at (773) 482-5800 to schedule your initial consultation.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a broad term that refers to various conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system—the network responsible for transmitting signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. It’s a condition that can dramatically influence your physical health and overall well-being.
Degenerative Disc Disease Neuropathy
Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the spinal discs deteriorate over time, leading to the potential compression of nearby nerves. This compression often manifests as neuropathy, causing symptoms ranging from mild tingling to severe pain and even motor function loss in the affected body parts. This can easily result in spinal disc injuries.
Peripheral Neuropathy
As the most prevalent form of neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy affects the extremities—your hands, feet, arms, and legs. The symptoms typically start as a tingling sensation in these areas but can escalate to severe pain and functional impairment. While various conditions can cause peripheral neuropathy, it is also commonly a result of personal injuries like auto accidents and slip and falls.
What Are the Causes of Neuropathy?
Neuropathy can arise from a multitude of factors. These can influence the set of symptoms you may experience.
- Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Diabetes is perhaps the most notorious, where prolonged high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage.
- Infectious Diseases: Various bacterial and viral infections, such as Lyme disease and shingles, can cause temporary or even permanent nerve damage.
- Toxins and Chemical Exposure: Substances like heavy metals, certain chemotherapy drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption can be neurotoxic and result in neuropathy.
- Physical Trauma: Accidents and injuries are frequent culprits. An auto accident, for example, can lead to trauma that causes immediate or delayed neuropathy.
What Are the Symptoms of Neuropathy?
Recognizing the symptoms of neuropathy is essential for timely intervention and effective treatment. Here are some common symptoms that you should be aware of:
- Pain – Often described as sharp, burning, or stabbing, neuropathic pain can be relentless and debilitating.
- Numbness or Tingling – Initially, you might experience a “pins and needles” sensation, especially in your extremities. Over time, this can escalate to complete numbness.
- Muscle Weakness – Neuropathy can affect your motor nerves, leading to noticeable weakness and difficulty in movement.
- Sensitivity to Touch – Some people experience heightened sensitivity, where even a light touch can trigger intense pain.
- Coordination Issues – The damage to your nerves can affect your sense of position, causing problems with balance and coordination.
- Autonomic Dysfunction – This affects involuntary bodily functions and may manifest as digestive problems, abnormal blood pressure, and even sexual dysfunction.
What Are the Treatments Available at Chicago Personal Injury Centers for Neuropathy?
Your health is our priority, and we offer a holistic range of treatments designed to meet your specific needs.
Medication Management
Managing pain is often the immediate concern for those suffering from neuropathy. Our medical team is licensed to provide medication management and may prescribe anticonvulsants to control nerve pain or antidepressants such as duloxetine that are effective in treating neuropathic pain.
For extreme cases, opioids might be considered, but only under strict supervision to mitigate the risk of dependency. Each medication plan is individually tailored to suit your specific symptoms, taking into account your medical history and any other medications you may be taking.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of neuropathy treatment. Our licensed therapists employ a range of techniques, including manual therapy, aquatic therapy, and modalities like ultrasound.
The goal is to help you regain strength, improve your functional capabilities, and, most importantly, alleviate pain. Exercises are customized to each patient’s needs and adapted as you progress in your recovery.
Interventional Therapies
When conservative treatment options are ineffective, we may recommend interventional therapies. Nerve blocks involve injecting anesthetic solutions near specific nerves to block pain signals, offering immediate and sometimes long-lasting relief.
Spinal cord stimulators are implantable devices that deliver mild electric pulses to the spinal cord, disrupting the pain signals sent to the brain.
Lifestyle Counseling
At Chicago Personal Injury Centers, we believe that healing involves the whole person. That’s why we offer comprehensive lifestyle counseling to complement your medical treatments.
This may include dietary plans to control blood sugar levels, stress management techniques like mindfulness, and a custom exercise regimen that you can comfortably follow.
Cutting-Edge Treatments
We pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve in terms of treatment options. In addition to traditional therapies, we offer electrotherapy treatments that use electrical impulses to stimulate nerves, promoting healing and pain relief.
For qualifying patients, stem cell therapy may be available as an innovative approach to repair damaged nerves, offering a potentially permanent solution to neuropathy.
Each treatment plan is personalized to suit your unique needs, and our team works closely with you to adapt these plans as your condition evolves. Our ultimate goal is to help you live a life that’s as free from the limitations of neuropathy as possible.
Schedule an Appointment Today to Discuss Our Neuropathy Treatments
The incapacitating effects of neuropathy can become a constant barrier, making even simple daily activities a struggle and casting a shadow over your quality of life.
At Chicago Personal Injury Centers, we are committed to offering you not just temporary relief but a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan aimed at alleviating the root causes of your symptoms.
You have the power to change your life for the better. Take the initiative to regain control over your well-being. Contact us today at (773) 482-5800 or schedule your consultation online to embark on your pathway to recovery.
