Neuropathy Doctor: The Ultimate Guide to Relief

11/05/202410/16/2024 by Supreet Shah

You first noticed the tingling in your toes while climbing the stairs one evening. “It’s just fatigue,” you told yourself. But soon, the numbness spread, and sharp pains began to shoot through your feet and hands. Simple tasks like buttoning a shirt or holding a coffee mug became challenging. Frustration and worry set in. “What’s happening to me?” you wonder, feeling isolated and desperate for answers. You begin searching for a “neuropathy doctor near me.”

But you find the search results confusing at best. Many specialties pop up. What is this? All you want is relief.

The truth is that a neuropathy doctor can be many types of doctors. Each specializes in neuropathy, and takes a slightly different approach. I hear from patients all of the time that it’s hard to know where to start. So, I created this guide for you.

I want to demystify the specialty, look at what they treat and how they approach nerve pain symptoms. In the end, you’ll understand how to find a doctor of neuropathy in San Francisco that can best help you find relief without sacrificing your quality of life in the process.

What is a Neuropathy Doctor?

A neuropathy doctor is a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing neuropathy—a condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves. This nerve damage can cause symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness, often affecting the hands and feet. Because neuropathy can have various causes and affect different aspects of health, multiple types of specialists may be involved in your care, leading to confusion about what a neuropathy doctor is.

These specialists can work independently of one another or may work together in multi-disciplinary neuropathy treatment plan. Some may take a more functional, holistic, and natural drug-free approach. Others may recommend medications or surgery.

Some just focus on treating symptoms and masking a worsening condition. Others focus on the root cause of nerve pain and how to help nerves heal.

Each of them can play a role in your neuropathy treatment plan and recovery from the pain caused by the condition.

Understanding the types of doctors of neuropathy you might encounter and what their role is in the treatment process can help you “find a neuropathy doctor in your area” that can help you experience relief.

What Doctors Treat Nerve Damage

Several specialties are involved in neuropathy treatment. These could include a neurologist, chiropractor, endocrinologist, podiatrist, pain management specialist, or registered dietitian (who isn’t medical doctor but often very important), among others. Let’s look at the role and expertise of each specialist and how they might fit into your neuropathy plan.

Neurologists:

Role: A Doctor of Neuropathy, specializing in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Expertise: They perform detailed neurological exams and use diagnostic tests to identify the type and cause of neuropathy. Neurologists often manage complex cases involving significant nerve damage.
What They Treat: Typically severe (and possibly irreversible) nerve damage such as autoimmune system destruction, chemo-induced nerve damage, advanced degradation of nerve tissues, genetic disorders, poisoning, and more extreme cases.
Their Philosophy: While I can’t speak for all neurologists, many believe that nerve damage is relatively permanent. Nerves can grow back but will never function the same and may always cause pain and reduced function. This belief isn’t surprising when we consider the fact that they deal with some of the worst nerve damage cases out there.

A Chiropractor Neuropathy Doctor:

Role: A Neuropathy Doctor who focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous system, emphasizing manual adjustments and manipulations to free trapped nerves and improve blood flow to suffering nerves. They also apply scientifically supported devices and methods to increase blood flow and promote nerve healing, including nutrition therapy, supplementation, acupuncture, laser therapy for pain, shockwave therapy, Graston Technique, etc. The treatment needs depend on the cause and severity of your neuropathy. Furthermore, chiropractors can order tests and imaging to confirm diagnoses before choosing the best neuropathy treatment.
Expertise: Chiropractors can help alleviate neuropathy symptoms by improving nerve function through spinal adjustments, nerve stimulation therapies, and personalized exercise programs. They offer non-invasive, drug-free treatment options that address both symptoms and underlying causes.
What They Treat: Chiropractors most often treat mild to moderate neuropathy that may be related to the following: diabetes (which is now controlled), well-managed autoimmune disorders, chronic infections, poor blood flow, a trapped or irritated nerve (such as spinal stenosis or sciatica), damage caused by poor nutrition or toxic exposure.
Their Philosophy: They believe in getting to the root cause of symptoms rather than focusing solely on them. They pride themselves on promoting nerve health with natural treatments that help patients avoid or reduce dependence on potentially dangerous pain medicines. Yes, the science is clear. Damaged nerves can heal. They can repair themselves. They can regenerate.

Your first visit includes a neuropathy assessment, consultation and first spinal adjustment. Schedule that initial visit today.

Endocrinologists:

Role: A Neuropathy Doctor specializing in hormone-related disorders.
Expertise: Since diabetes is a leading cause of neuropathy, endocrinologists will often be on the list of neuropathy doctors you might see. They help those with diabetes manage blood sugar levels to prevent further nerve damage using a combination of nutrition advice, exercise, and medication (such as insulin).

Podiatrists:

Role: A Doctor of Neuropathy specializing in nerve problems in the foot and ankle. You might hear them called a neuropathy foot doctor.
Expertise: They address neuropathy symptoms in the lower extremities, providing care to prevent ulcers, severe, infections, amputations, and other complications. They focus primarily on neuropathy of the toes treatment.

Pain Management Specialists:

Role: A Doctor of Neuropathy who focuses on relieving chronic pain, especially in those with irreversible medical conditions.
Expertise: They offer treatments like medications, nerve blocks, or other interventions to manage severe neuropathic pain.
Their Philosophy: Generally speaking, their philosophy is that chronic pain or irritation caused by nerve damage is not treatable or reversible (which is true sometimes). So, they focus on doing what they can to make life bearable through pain treatments. However, this relief often comes with uncomfortable side effects like lethargy, brain fog, memory problems, and cognitive issues—not ideal for someone who is trying to hold down a job, stay active, raise kids, travel, transition into retirement, or enjoy a relatively normal life.

Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian:

Role: A nutritionist or registered dietitian is a specialist who focuses on how your diet impacts your overall health, including nerve function. They are experts in food and nutrition, helping you understand how certain nutrients can support nerve healing and how dietary choices may alleviate or exacerbate your symptoms.

Expertise: These professionals provide personalized nutritional guidance to address deficiencies and manage conditions that contribute to neuropathy. They might assess your eating habits and recommend adjustments, such as increasing your intake of vitamins B6, B12, and E—nutrients essential for nerve health. Dietitians often have you work with a nutrition coach to develop healthy food habits and adopt a diet that stabilizes blood sugar levels.

What They Treat: Nutritionists or registered dietitians often work with patients whose neuropathy is influenced by:

Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins and minerals can lead to nerve damage.
Metabolic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders that affect nerve health.
Inflammation: Diets high in inflammatory foods can worsen neuropathy symptoms.

Their Philosophy: They believe that “food is medicine.” By harnessing the healing power of a balanced diet, they aim to reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and enhance your overall well-being. They focus on empowering you with knowledge and practical strategies to make healthier food choices, emphasizing that even small changes can lead to significant improvements in your symptoms.

Why Multiple Specialties Are Involved

Neuropathy is a complex condition with various causes. Its multifaceted nature means that effective treatment often requires a team approach.

Here’s how those neuropathy doctors might work together in someone with diabetic neuropathy.

Diagnosis: Neurologists, endocrinologists and chiropractors can all perform the initial assessments and order tests to determine nerve function and identify the neuropathy type.
Underlying Conditions: Endocrinologists manage diseases like diabetes that contribute to neuropathy, while a neurologist would address most other causes.
Symptom Management: Chiropractors offer therapies to reduce pain and improve nerve function without relying solely on medications. Pain management might need to prescribe medications when pain is severe. But most people don’t want to have to be on pain medicine long term. As a chiropractor, I can work with your prescriber to reduce your dose as the nerves begin to heal.
Optimizing Health / Ongoing Care: Chiropractors and Nutritionists help you optimize your lifestyle to promote healthier nerves and overall health.

neuropathy: when to see a doctor

The best time to see a neuropathy doctor is early. At this time, you still have the best chance of resolving the issues and completely restoring nerve health.

So, if you notice a strange tingling in your fingers or toes. Maybe there’s a numbness that doesn’t go away, or sharp pains that catch you off guard and wake you up at night. These could be signs of neuropathy—a condition where your nerves are damaged or not working properly. It’s best not to ignore this.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Seeing a doctor of neuropathy early can make a big difference. Here’s why:

Prevent Further Nerve Damage: Early treatment can halt or slow the progression of neuropathy, and, in most cases, reverse it.
Improve Quality of Life: Managing symptoms can help you return to your daily activities without pain. Trying to manage this pain alone can lead to worsening symptoms as you may become more sedentary and develop depression. These become a slippery slope toward a worse situation. Let’s turn this around!
Address Underlying Causes: Identifying issues like diabetes, trapped nerves, or vitamin deficiencies can improve overall health. Some of these are easily treatable, and in some cases, reversible under professional care.
Avoid Complications: Reducing the risk of falls, injuries, infections, and, of course, amputations if it’s really bad.

Recognizing the Early Signs

Neuropathy can show up in different ways. Here are some common symptoms to watch for:

Tingling or Numbness: A “pins and needles” feeling in your hands or feet (that wasn’t caused solely because you were sitting on your legs for too long or laying on your arm in a weird way. That’s perfectly normal unless the tingling doesn’t go away quickly.)
Burning Sensations: Unusual warmth or burning pain, especially in your extremities.
Sharp or Jabbing Pain: Sudden, intense pains that seem to come out of nowhere.
Muscle Weakness: Difficulty holding objects or a feeling of weakness in your limbs.
Sensitivity to Touch: Even a light touch can cause discomfort or pain.
Balance Problems: Feeling unsteady on your feet or experiencing frequent falls.

More Pressing Signs Requiring an Immediate Trip to the Neuropathy Doctor

You may be past the early signs and onto signs of more severe neuropathy when you have:

Persistent Symptoms: If numbness, tingling, or pain doesn’t go away after a few days.
Worsening Condition: Symptoms that gradually get worse over time.
Interference with Daily Activities: Difficulty performing tasks like walking, buttoning a shirt, or holding utensils.
Severe Pain: Intense pain that’s hard to manage with over-the-counter remedies.
Underlying Health Conditions: If you have diabetes or other conditions known to cause neuropathy.
Infections or Injuries: Sores or infections on your feet that heal slowly.
Loss of Mobility: Severe cases might make it difficult to walk or use your hands effectively. You’re more likely to fall and break something, leading to more damage.
Increased Risk of Injuries: Numbness may prevent you from feeling cuts or sores, leading to infections and slow healing
Muscle Atrophy: Ongoing nerve damage can cause muscles to weaken and shrink. It’s much harder to get muscle mass back than it is to retain it, especially as we age.

Why See A Chiropractor Neuropathy Doctor First

If you’re experiencing the unsettling symptoms of neuropathy—such as tingling, numbness, or sharp pain in your hands or feet—you might be wondering whom to consult first. While there are several healthcare professionals who treat neuropathy, seeing a chiropractor who specializes in neuropathy can offer unique benefits. Here’s why choosing a chiropractor as your first point of contact can be a wise decision.

Your first visit includes a complete neuropathy assessment, consultation, and first spinal adjustment or other treatment based on your diagnosis. That’s a great value!

Schedule that initial visit today.

1. Non-Invasive, Drug-Free Treatment Options

Chiropractors focus on natural healing methods that do not rely on medications or surgeries. This approach can be particularly appealing if you’re looking to avoid the potential side effects of drugs or the risks associated with invasive procedures.

Starting with your San Fransisco chiropractor reduces the chances that you see a medical doctor who is of the mindset that nerves don’t heal. That philosophy could get you stuck in a cycle of pain medicine and invasive procedures when a more natural and effective method could have solved the problems—faster and better.

If you haven’t already started taking medication, beginning with a chiropractor could mean you never have to. Imagine that: neuropathy treatment without drugs. It’s possible!

If you’re already on neuropathy treatment drugs like gabapentin, I cannot emphasize this enough. You do not want to stay on this long-term. It can lead to vision changes, mood changes, dizziness, and cognitive issues—many of which become permanent after taking the drug for some time. And often, doctors don’t tell you, or they gloss over these serious and irreversible side effects.

2. Your Neuropathy Doctor Takes a Holistic Approach to Care

Chiropractors consider the whole body when treating neuropathy, not just the symptoms. This comprehensive approach aims to address the underlying causes of your condition. And it’s important because if we address one cause like a trapped nerve but do not take steps to help that nerve heal and not get trapped again, any treatment will be temporary.

When a Doctor of Neuropathy provides holistic care, they address all areas of the healing process:

Lifestyle Guidance: Advice on nutrition, exercise, and stress management to support overall nerve health.
Customized Treatment Plans: Tailored therapies that suit your specific needs and health goals.
Collaboration with Other Professionals: Chiropractors often work alongside other healthcare providers to ensure you receive well-rounded care.

3. Early Intervention and Prevention

Seeing a chiropractor early can help halt the progression of neuropathy and prevent further nerve damage. It should be your first choice because the sooner we fix the cause, the sooner your nerves can start to heal. The greater chance they have to fully recover.

As a chiropractor doctor of neuropathy here in San Francisco, I believe in:

Early Detection: We train our chiropractors to recognize the signs of neuropathy so we can initiate treatment promptly.
Preventive Measure: Implementing lifestyle changes and therapies can reduce the risk of complications.
Education: You’ll gain valuable knowledge about managing your condition effectively. Your Truspine Neuropathy Doctor takes time to get to know you. We identify how best we can help you become more informed about various exposures and lifestyle factors that are making your condition worse—or preventing full recovery.

4. Improvement of Nerve Function

Chiropractic care aims to enhance the body’s natural healing processes by improving nerve function.

This focus doesn’t only help neuropathy. It can help you feel and function better all around. When working with a chiropractic nerve doctor you can expect to achieve:

Reduced Nerve Interference: Adjustments can alleviate compression or irritation of nerves.
Enhanced Blood Flow: Therapies may improve circulation, providing nerves with essential nutrients and oxygen they need to start recovering. For example, neuropathy treatment using electrical stimulation can open and stimulate blood vessels.
Symptom Relief: Many patients experience a decrease in pain, tingling, and numbness immediately after freeing the nerve. For some, it may take a little more time to help the nerve heal.

5. Personalized Attention and Patient-Centered Care

Chiropractors often spend more time with patients during appointments than conventional medicine doctors, allowing for a deeper understanding of your condition.

Comprehensive Assessments: Detailed evaluations help identify all factors contributing to your neuropathy.
Accessible Communication: Open dialogue ensures your concerns are heard and addressed.
Ongoing Support: Regular follow-ups help track progress and adjust treatments as needed.

6. Complementary to Conventional Medicine

Chiropractic care can be effectively integrated with other medical treatments. It’s not either or! Conventional medicine can do some great things.

As your chiropractor who specializes in neuropathy, I help by:

Augmenting Medical Care: Enhances the effectiveness of treatments prescribed by neurologists or other specialists.
Reducing Reliance on Medications: May decrease the need for pain medications over time.
Collaborative Approach: Chiropractors can coordinate with your healthcare team for comprehensive care.

You deserve to live pain-free!

7. Focus on Quality of Life

The ultimate goal is to improve your daily functioning and well-being through:

Increased Mobility: Therapies can help you regain strength and coordination.
Pain Management: Effective strategies to control and reduce pain levels.
Enhanced Daily Living: Better symptom control allows you to engage more fully in activities you enjoy.

8. Access to Neuropathy Latest Treatment

The Neuropathy Doctors at Truspine have access to some of the latest and most cutting-edge ways of treating neuropathy including:

9. Neuropathy Treatment Options for the Whole Body

Now, some people think chiropractors are “just back doctors”, so I want to clarify.

Very often neuropathy treatment in feet, neuropathy treatment in hands, or neuropathy numbness treatment starts with releasing a trapped nerve in the back and taking steps to prevent it from being trapped again. But this isn’t always the only problem. Whether you’re experiencing diabetic neuropathy, chemo-induced neuropathy, autoimmune disorders, or nutrition deficiency—just to name a few causes—starting with a chiropractor is a great choice.

Because if you can fix this naturally with functional care, don’t you want to do that?

Your Neuropathy Doctors in San Francisco

Looking for a neuropathy doctor in your area? Truspine Chiropractic specializes in neuropathy diagnosis and treatment. We identify the root cause of your nerve pain and build a personalized treatment plan that focuses on promoting your nerves’ natural ability to heal themselves. We work with other neuropathy specialists, complementing medical care with holistic and effective treatments.

Avoid the serious consequences of being on lifelong nerve pain medications and provide more lasting relief. Live pain free! To get your complete neuropathy assessment, consultation, and first treatment, Schedule that initial visit today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropathy Doctors

How does neuropathy treatment for feet electrical stimulation work?

Electrical stimulation for foot neuropathy delivers mild electrical impulses to affected nerves, reducing pain and improving function. It promotes blood flow, blocks pain signals, and may stimulate nerve regeneration, helping alleviate neuropathy symptoms like tingling, numbness, and discomfort.

How can I find a diabetic neuropathy doctor near me?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of neuropathy with an unconfirmed cause, the best place to start is with a chiropractor who specializes in neuropathy. This ensures that non-invasive and natural treatment options that target the root cause of nerve pain are prioritized in your treatment plan.

Can I get neuropathy treatment at home?

What you do at home to treat your neuropathy is just as important as what treatment you have at our offices. Our team of neuropathy doctors helps you build a home program that may include certain exercises, lifting techniques, nutrition, and more.

What kind of doctor treats nerve damage in the feet?

A chiropractor neuropathy doctor treats nerve damage in the foot by addressing the root causes of nerve pain in the feet and improving blood flow to enhance your body’s natural ability to heal damaged nerves.

Live pain free! To get your complete neuropathy assessment, consultation, and first treatment, Schedule that initial visit today.

Sciatica Chiropractor: A Simple Adjustment Can Change Everything

09/10/202408/27/2024 by Supreet Shah

If you’ve ever experienced sciatica, you know it can be more than just a pain in the back. That sharp, shooting pain down your leg can disrupt your daily life. Even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Nearly 40% of us will experience this pain in our lifetimes.

For some, it becomes a severe and progressively worsening condition that steals our enjoyment for life. But can a sciatica chiropractor fix sciatica? The short answer is yes, and here’s why.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica neuropathy isn’t just one condition—it’s a symptom of an underlying issue. Typically, this nerve pain is caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back.

The pain radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips and down each leg. Sciatica can also cause numbness, tingling, sudden jutting pain, or weakness in the back, hip, and down into the leg. You may or may not even feel it in your back!

This pinched nerve can result from:

Herniated disc / bulging disc
Muscle inflammation or spasm
Piriformis Syndrome (dysfunction of your hip rotation muscle), more common in those who turn their feet out.
Bone spur
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column)
Among other causes.

How Do Chiropractors Treat Sciatica?

Chiropractors are experts in musculoskeletal health. This makes us well-suited to treat sciatica. At the end of the day, a pinched nerve is a mechanical problem. Something is putting excessive physical pressure on the sciatic nerve. That something is usually happening in the spinal column, and sometimes the hip.

Don’t Send an AI Engineer to Do a Mechanics Job

Because sciatica is most often due to body mechanics, it doesn’t make sense to approach this with a chemical treatment (medication)—at least not as a long-term solution. That’s like trying to fix a flat tire by engineering some advanced AI-powered software. It’s over-complicating a problem that—more often than not—has a simple solution… and creating more problems (side effects) than it fixes.

So, what can a chiropractor do for sciatica pain?

Step 1. Free the trapped nerve.
Step 2: Help the nerve heal from months or years of entrapment.
Step 3. Make sure it doesn’t get trapped again.

What to Expect During Sciatica Treatment?

When you visit a chiropractor for sciatica, we’ll start with a thorough assessment to determine the root cause of your pain. This might involve a physical exam, medical history review, and sometimes imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs.

Once the cause of your sciatica is identified, the chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan. Here are some common techniques we might use:

Spinal Adjustments & Manual Therapy

Your personal chiropractor will use controlled force to adjust your spine, aiming to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and carefully move the vertebrae back into alignment. This can reduce pain and improve your mobility—often instantly.

Exercise Program

Your Truspine chiropractor might recommend specific core, hip, and leg exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine, improving your posture and preventing future flare-ups. We take time to show you how to perform these exercises to support spinal health because we want to see you get long-term sciatica relief.

If you do have a desk job, we’re definitely going to recommend you not sit so damn much. It only makes it worse!

Here are 5 sciatica exercises we might recommend.

Lifting and Form Instruction

Proper lifting techniques and body mechanics are crucial in preventing sciatica from recurring. Your chiropractor will guide you on the best practices for lifting and maintaining good posture at work and play, reducing strain on your back and promoting greater range of motion. If you perform repetitive actions at work or play certain sports, speak with your chiropractor about it.

We can personalize your treatment plan around your lifestyle and unique needs.

Nutrition Therapy

Even though the nerve is now free, months or years of entrapment have damaged the nerve, and it will need time to heal. A well-balanced diet can play a key role in your recovery and overall nerve health. Your chiropractor may offer nutrition or supplementation advice to help reduce inflammation and support the healing process. Ensuring your body gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and pain-free is part of what we do as chiropractors.

Stop masking pain with medication. Chiropractors get to the root cause! Go ahead and schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.

Ongoing Adjustments

Once the pain stops, it’s so easy to say “goodbye to your chiropractor. Thanks for helping me live pain-free.” But the truth is that like anything in life, adjustments are necessary to maintain your pain-free existence and support overall health. The mechanics that caused the sciatica in the first place are still there.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can help maintain spinal alignment, preventing the recurrence of sciatica. These ongoing adjustments are tailored to your specific needs and are designed to keep your spine healthy, reduce the risk of future flare-ups, and support your overall well-being.

Your chiropractor will work with you to determine the optimal frequency for these adjustments, ensuring long-term relief and mobility. We encourage you to make visiting your chiropractor a new healthy habit!

Will a Chiropractor Help Sciatica? The Benefits Explained

Chiropractic care is non-invasive and drug-free, focusing on addressing the root cause of your pain rather than just masking the symptoms.

Here’s what you can expect from chiropractic treatment:

Pain Relief: Spinal adjustments can relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, providing immediate and long-lasting pain relief. Many of our patients have been suffering from sciatica for years. Many are surprised that after just one to three adjustments, they’re no longer in pain.
Improved Mobility: By realigning your spine, chiropractic care can help restore your range of motion, making it easier to move without pain.
Prevention: Regular chiropractic care combined with nutrition and core strengthening exercises can help prevent future episodes of sciatica by keeping your spine and muscles in optimal condition.

What kind of nerve pain do you have? take the quiz.

How Many Visits to Chiropractor to Help Sciatica?

The timeline for recovery varies depending on the severity of your sciatica and how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms. Some people notice improvement after just a few sessions and may be able to shift into maintenance. Others might require several weeks of 2-3 times a week treatments before proceeding to less frequent visits. Your chiropractor will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed to ensure you get the best results.

Should I Go to a Chiropractor for Sciatica?

If you’re dealing with sciatica, chiropractic care is worth considering. But we’re chiropractors, so of course, we’re going to say that. Hear me out!

Would you prefer a natural, non-invasive approach to pain relief? The non-invasive chiropractic care may appeal to you.

Do you like the idea of treating the root cause rather than the symptoms? Chiropractic care may be a good option.

If you’re currently experiencing side effects from medications prescribed by your treating doctor, we’ll work with them to help you reduce your dose as your pain becomes more manageable with drug-free means.

Remember, we perform a thorough assessment with imaging if necessary. If we determine you’re one of the few who is unlikely to benefit from sciatica chiropractic adjustments, we’ll send your records and what we found to your primary doctor or another specialist. We work with the medical community as part of an integrative medicine approach.

The Science Behind Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

A randomized controlled trial compared real evidence-based chiropractic adjustments for sciatica with disc herniation causing leg pain to what they called “sham chiropracty”, which was basically someone randomly popping the control group participants’ backs. 28% of the real chiropractic group experienced complete elimination of pain compared to 6% in the placebo group. 55% of the chiropractor group no longer experienced the radiating pain associated with sciatica, even if they were not 100% pain-free. Most with sciatica will probably agree, the sharp, sudden radiating pain is the worst part of sciatica. It stops you in your tracks!
Several systematic reviews agree that most patients have at least modest improvement in sciatic nerve-related back pain.
Another observational cohort study including nearly 3000 participants, found that radiating-sciatica pain patients receiving chiropractic care experience better long-term outcomes vs. conventional medical care. Patients experienced moderate to significant reductions in pain.

The Bottom Line: Can a Chiropractor Fix Sciatica?

Sciatica can be debilitating, but it doesn’t have to control your life. A chiropractor can not only help relieve your current pain but also address the underlying causes to prevent future issues. If you’re tired of living with sciatica, it might be time to see how chiropractic care can help you get back to doing the things you love—pain-free.

To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.

Nerve Pain Relief: Natural Treatments that Actually Work

11/25/202407/26/2024 by Supreet Shah

Nerve pain can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of your life. Whether you suffer from sciatic nerve pain, back pain, shoulder nerve pain, or peripheral neuropathy, finding effective nerve pain relief is crucial.

As a chiropractor specializing in functional health, I have worked with a lot of patients struggling with this problem. Often, they feel hopeless, having tried everything by the time they come to see me. My hope is get the word out that natural nerve pain relief is possible for many —without surgery or potentially-dangerous medications.

What Causes Nerves to hurt?

You may experience nerve damage as a tingling, burning, shooting, stabbing, or a host of related nerve pain symptoms. For a long time, it was believed —particularly in Western Medicine—that there wasn’t much you could do about it. You could only manage the symptoms and hope it didn’t get worse.

You may have been told there’s no cure. But when we address the root cause, the nerve can start healing itself.

So what may be causing your discomfort? And is it treatable using natural means?

Injuries

Injuries such as falls, accidents, or sports-related impacts can crush or trap the nerves.

Diabetes

High blood sugar levels in diabetics can damage nerves, particularly in the feet, necessitating diabetic foot nerve pain relief. You will still need diabetic care and lifestyle management, but we can help with the neuropathy—especially in its early stages.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc can press on nerves in the spine, causing pain. Overuse, lack of physical activity, “too heavy” lifting, or injury can cause the disc to rupture or slip, allowing the bones to move out of line.

The vertabral column protects the large central nervous system nerves and the peripheral nerves travel out from this centralized location. This misalignment allows nerves to become trapped.

Sometimes this slipped disc happens in the neck, which causes a pain behind the shoulder blade—and sometimes down the arm. If the herniated disc happens in the lower back, you may experience low back pain, hip pain, pain in the back of your thigh or all of the above. Some people even need sciatic nerve pain in buttocks which makes it hard to sit, stand, and walk without pain stopping them in their tracks.

We can reduce the point of stress trapping the nerve by realigning the spinal column through an adjustment.

Autoimmune Diseases

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause the immune system to attack the nerves, leading to chronic nerve pain. An autoimmune condition is not a life sentence of pain. Often nutrition and lifestyle can reduce the damage these diseases cause to bones, joints, myelin sheaths (nerve protectors), etc.

Repetitive Stress

Repetitive motions or prolonged pressure on certain body parts can lead to nerve compression and pain. For example, a repetitive factory, retail, warehouse, or desk job could lead to ulnar nerve pain (in the arm, elbow, and wrist).

Poor Posture

Poor posture can contribute to nerve compression, particularly in the neck and back, necessitating ergonomic adjustments and targeted exercises for nerve pain relief.

Everyone has poor posture sometimes. I’m talking about more than just slouching sometimes. It has more to do with how long you stay in that position. People who sit for four hours or more without getting up and moving around much may develop misalignments that lead to trapped nerves.

Those who stand more aren’t off the hook though! Some people stand for long periods or walk while either sticking their belly out or using an anterior pelvic tilt. In the latter, you have an excessive inward arch in the lower back and push your butt out. This is not a natural or healthy position.

What kind of nerve pain do you have? take the quiz.

Sleeping Position

Sleeping weird can also cause nerve problems.

Bad Exercise Form

Bad posture also happens when your lifting weights and exercising. You might lift something heavy from the side instead of the front. You could lift too heavy or not properly warm-up.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies can significantly contribute to nerve pain, impacting your overall health. Essential vitamins like B12, B6, and E are crucial for maintaining nerve health. A lack of these nutrients can lead to nerve damage pain relief needs.

Even if we address the cause of the pain by freeing the trapped nerve, it’s vital to focus on nutrition to support nerve healing.

Find out what your nerve pain symptoms are telling you.

Managing Neuropathic Pain

Addressing the underlying causes is essential for freeing you from this experience. Treatments like chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, home exercise programs, and proper nutrition can provide significant natural nerve pain relief.

You can take proactive steps to manage and alleviate your symptoms, ensuring a better quality of life.

Chiropractic Adjustments for Nerve Pain

One of the most effective methods for supporting nerve health is chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments help realign the spine, reducing pressure on nerves and providing freedom from the discomfort and misery of neuropathy. This approach is particularly beneficial for those seeking all natural nerve pain relief without the side effects of medication.

To get to the root cause of neuropathy, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.

Home Exercise Programs

Incorporating a customized home exercise program can significantly enhance your pain relief regimen. For example, targeted exercises can alleviate pain relief for lower back.

Regular physical activity promotes healing and prevents further neurological damage, offering relief for lower back nerve pain and nerve pain in leg relief.

Exercise—especially those for the core (not just sit-ups)— also strengthen the muscles that support the spine. This can naturally improve posture, even when you’re not thinking about it and protect the spine form further injury.

In fact, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but regular home exercise helps you maintain alignment longer after an adjustment. You need neuropathy treatments less often because you’re doing good things for your body at home.

Even after an adjustment, if you don’t make some changes the nerve will just get trapped again. In the beginning, I usually recommend a spinal adjustment twice a week. This frequency helps you train your spine back into alignment as you strengthen your muscles to maintain that alignment longer.

Our chiropractors take time to show you proper form and posture and we help you develop a home exercise program to maintain your results.

Acupuncture and Dry Needling

Acupuncture and dry needling are also excellent methods for natural pain therapy. Acupuncture is an ancient practice involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and reduce pain. Acupuncture can be particularly effective for sciatic nerve pain relief and neuropathy relief, offering a holistic approach to managing this condition.

Dry needling involves using fine needles strategically on trigger points to release stiff muscles that may contribute to nerve entrapment.

Nutrition Support

As I mentioned, proper nutrition plays a vital role in nerve pain relief. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods and those containing B vitamins can help reduce nerve pain and support overall health. I encourage you to focus on getting these nutrients from food first. But we can also discuss supplementation if you’re struggling with your nutrition. For those with diabetes, nutrition support is also crucial for diabetic foot nerve pain relief. We will work with your endocrinologist and/or registered dietician to support your nutritional goals.

Essential Oils and Home Remedies

For those who prefer an essential oil nerve pain relief recipe, know that essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus have natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that provide natural relief for nerve pain. But remember, these only help the symptoms for a short time. Your neuropathy will get worse if you delay treating the cause. You can explore some of the more severe symptoms and outcomes on untreated neuropathy here.

Medications and Over-the-Counter Solutions

While our focus is on natural therapies, we understand that sometimes medication is necessary. We can guide you on the best OTC pain relief for nerve pain and nerve pain relief medication that can be used in conjunction with our holistic treatments for optimal recovery. Again, medication is short-term relief. You need to long-term solutions to stop the misery for good.

Specialized Treatments for Specific Conditions

We also offer targeted treatments for specific nerve pain conditions. For instance, if you struggle with ulnar nerve pain relief or burning nerves in neck for pain relief, we can develop a personalized plan to address your unique needs. We also provide solutions for relief from nerve pain in neck, nerve pain in feet relief, and sciatic nerve pain relief at night.

At-Home Solutions and Continuous Support for Nerve Pain Relief

We believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools needed for relief from nerve pain at home. Our comprehensive approach ensures you receive continuous support and guidance, helping you manage and alleviate nerve pain effectively.

Our functional approach integrates chiropractic adjustments, home exercise, acupuncture, and nutrition to support to provide effective and sustainable freedom for debiliating discomfort. Whether you seek sciatic nerve pain relief or natural relief for nerve pain, our customized treatments aim to enhance your quality of life naturally and effectively. To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Neuropathy

What is the Best Pain Relief for Nerve Pain?

The best pain relief for nerve pain often includes a combination of treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, home exercise programs, and nutrition support. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or specific nerve pain relief medication can also be effective.

How to Get Relief from Sciatic Nerve Pain?

For relief from sciatic nerve pain, try chiropractic adjustments, targeted exercises, and stretching. Acupuncture and proper posture can also help. For immediate relief, over-the-counter pain relievers may be useful.

What Drugs Provide Immediate Relief from Nerve Pain?

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can provide immediate improvements. For more severe pain, prescription medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin might be necessary.

What is the Best Pain Relief for Nerve Damage?

This is best achieved through a combination of treatments, including chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and doctor-perscribed medications like gabapentin or amitriptyline, if needed. Our goal is to address the root cause so that you can avoid or reduce medications with guidance from the prescribing physician.

How to Get Relief from Nerve Pain in Neck?

To get relief from nerve pain in neck, try chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and neck exercises. Applying heat or cold packs and practicing good posture can also help.

Does Acupuncture Relieve Nerve Pain?

Yes, acupuncture can effectively relieve neuropathy by stimulating the body’s natural painkillers and promoting blood flow to the affected areas. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients which can promote healing.

How to Get Pain Relief from Pinched Nerve in Neck?

For pain relief from a pinched nerve in the neck, chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and gentle neck stretches are effective. Over-the-counter pain relievers and applying ice or heat can provide immediate relief.

To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.

Nerve Pain in the Back: Your Path to a Pain-Free Life

09/10/202407/16/2024 by Supreet Shah

Nerve pain in the back can be debilitating—stealing your joy and making living active and well nearly impossible. Even simple tasks become challenging.

As a chiropractor, I often see patients struggling with various types of back pain, and I can say that nerve-related issues are some of the worst kinds of pain to have. But I have some hopeful news for you today. Many causes can be treated without surgery or potentially dangerous medications.

What is Nerve Pain in the Back?

Nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, occurs when nerves are damaged or irritated. In this case, the nerves in question are in the spine. Many people are surprised to learn this since they feel this pain on the left or right side, not the spine.

But that’s because these large nerves radiate the sensation out from the center and down the body.

As a chiropractor, I can deduce where the nerve irritation is occurring in the spine based on the location of the nerve pain symptoms—from behind your shoulder down to the back of your thigh.

I’m able to do this because the nerves that begin in your spinal column take a specific path through the human body—carrying the pain with them.

Symptoms of Nerve Pain in the Back

You might experience nerve pain of the back as:

Burning
Sharp
Dull persistent ache
Tingling
Numbness
Radiating
Muscle weakness

It’s usually only on one side and often comes and goes as you change positions.

For example, you might feel a sudden sharp pain in the mid-back. It catches you off guard, takes your breath away, and forces you to recoil from whatever you were doing.

A moment later, it passes. But now you’re afraid to move because it hurts. That’s no way to live!

And sadly, this lack of movement makes it worse over time.

The constant worry about the pain may also impact your mental health and sense of well-being. And in severe cases, the pain is so bad it physically keeps you from moving. You may not be able to sit, bend, or stand up straight.

You may also want to check out Peripheral Nerve Pain Symptoms: Your Body’s Alarm System.

What Causes Nerve Pain Back?

Common causes of back nerve pain include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and pinching or tightness of the sciatic nerve.

In each of these, a nerve is trapped between the spinal discs. When this happens, the bone is allowed to rub/squeeze the nerve.

Herniated (ruptured) discs can happen anywhere along the spine. Discs are cushions between each back bone to protect your spinal nerves and the bones from damage. But these discs can become compressed like a water balloon in your hand. This allows the bones to get too close to each other, leading to structural issues. If that disc is squeezed hard enough, it bursts. It’s not quite as dramatic a burst as a water balloon. But it does slowly leak an irritating fluid onto the nerve.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column. It often happens in the neck, leading to nerve pain behind the shoulder as well as upper back nerve pain.

When the lower spinal column (the lumbar spine) narrows, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to Sciatica. The sciatic nerve nerve runs from the lower back, down each hip and into the back of your thigh. So, you may feel the pain in one or all three places.

An estimated 40% of people will experience sciatic nerve pain in the lower back during their lifetime.

If one of these three causes contributes to your nerve pain, you don’t have to just live with it. This is a mechanical problem in the back.

When the structural issue is correctable with an adjustment, I can release the nerve and allow the nerve to heal. With proper care and a periodic adjustment you can maintain the pain relief long-term.

It’s essential to seek professional help to determine whether a spinal adjustment could help your nerve pain in the back.

To find out, Schedule your initial consultation for a full evaluation and first treatment.

Diagnosis

To diagnose nerve pain in the back, a thorough medical history and physical examination are necessary. Diagnostic tests like MRI, CT scans, and X-rays can help pinpoint precisely where the nerve is trapped.

But chiropractors also train for years. As part of our education, we learn how to feel the irregularities in the spine before correcting them.

Treatment Options

Depending on the cause and severity, you may need a combination of therapies or treatments. Your chiropractor can work with your medical professional team to help you get the best results.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and prescription medications can help manage the pain.
Home Exercise Program: Strengthening and stretching exercises can alleviate pain and improve mobility. Your chiropractor will show you how to perform exercises to strengthen the supporting muscloskelatal system and support nerve health.
Chiropractic Care: Regular adjustments can relieve nerve pain in the back and improve spinal alignment.
Acupuncture: This ancient practice can provide short-term relief for many patients, giving the nerve time to heal.
Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can significantly reduce back pain. If you have a desk job that keeps you sedentary, we can work with you on strategies to support more movement throughout the day.

Surgical Treatments

While not the first choice for most patients, surgical options are available through an orthopaedist. We can work with your doctor to attempt less invasive treatment before you decide to go under the knife. We also become an important part of your post-surgical rehabilitation and pain-free maintenance plan.

Some surgeries your doctor might consider include:

Discectomy: Removing the disc’s herniated part can relieve nerve pressure.
Laminectomy: Removing part of the vertebra can relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Spinal Fusion: This surgery joins two or more vertebrae together to provide stability.

Pain Management Strategies

Managing nerve pain in the back involves both at-home and professional strategies.

At-Home Pain Relief Methods

Heat and Ice Therapy: Alternating between heat and ice can reduce inflammation and pain.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: These can help manage mild to moderate pain.
Gentle Stretching and Exercise: Regular movement can keep your back flexible and reduce pain.

Professional Pain Management Techniques

Epidural Steroid Injections: These can reduce inflammation around the nerves.
Nerve Blocks: Injecting anesthetics near the nerves can provide temporary relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation: Burning the nerves to relieve back pain can provide long-term relief.
Acupuncture: Increases blood flow and can encourage the activation of your body’s natural painkillers and healing processes.

Preventing Nerve Pain

Prevention is better than cure. Whether you’ve recently recovered from back nerve pain or you’re trying to reverse the pain before it gets worse, here are some tips to keep your back healthy and pain-free.

Ergonomic Tips for Daily Activities

Proper Lifting Techniques: Lift with your legs, not your back. To learn more, check out our article on lifting form.
Correct Posture: Maintain a neutral spine while sitting and standing.
Ergonomic Office Setups: Ensure your workstation supports good posture, ideally with a sit and stand option.

We take time to show patients what proper form looks like and help them achieve it. Our goal is to see patients live pain-free through comprehensive pain management strategies.

Regular Exercise and Stretching

Strengthening Exercises: Focus on your core and back muscles.
Flexibility Exercises: Stretching can prevent tightness and pain.
Walking: If you are able, walking more around the house, neighborhood, or office can promote better posture. You engage multiple core muscles with this one action, which can alleviate pressure on the spinal discs.
Balance: Exercise methodologies, such as those found in yoga and Pilates, promote balance and stability.

Learn about the top 5 stretches for sciatica and how to do them step-by-step.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Balanced Diet: Proper nutrition supports overall health. Of course, a balanced diet is important, but some nutrients have moderate to strong evidence and are worth a try. On the whole food side, these include dark leafy greens and green vegetables, berries, sweet potatoes, turmeric, avocado, and quinoa. These foods provide key nutrients like B vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and known anti-inflammatory compounds.
Adequate Sleep: Good sleep is essential for recovery and pain management. Adjust your pillows and positions to ensure your sleeping style doesn’t inadvertently cause structural issues.
Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness and meditation can reduce stress and pain.

Living with Nerve Pain

Coping with chronic pain requires a multi-faceted approach.

Mindfulness and Meditation: These can help manage pain and improve mental well-being.
Support Groups and Counseling: Connecting with others who understand your pain can provide emotional support.
Pain Management Programs: Professional programs can offer comprehensive pain management plans.
Functional Medicine / Integrative Care: A chiropractor is an important part of your functional medicine team since we offer less invasive and effective treatments for back pain.
Medical Care: If less invasive treatments do not provide sufficient relief, medical doctors can prescribe medications and surgical treatment.

Exercises for Sciatic Nerve Back Pain

Exercises play a crucial role in managing sciatic nerve pain in the back. Here are some effective exercises:

Piriformis Stretch: This can relieve back nerve pain down the leg.
Hamstring Stretch: Keeping your hamstrings flexible can reduce lower back pain.
Pelvic Tilts: These strengthen your core and lower back muscles and help with sciatic nerve pain in the back

You Can Live Pain-Free

Nerve pain in the back can be managed effectively with the right approach. From professional treatments to at-home care, there are many ways to find relief. Remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking professional help when needed are crucial steps in managing and preventing back pain. To learn how to live without pain, schedule your initial consultation for a full evaluation and first treatment.