Peripheral NeuropathyWhat the heck is it and what can I do about it?

Thank you! Questions?

• Goals: To understand what neuropathy actually means and understand ways to increase quality of life and decrease pain.

• Perception caused by the brain

• Physiologic effects of neuropathy

• Q/A, How has neuropathy affected your quality of life? What would you do if you didn’t have neuropathic pain

• Identify the pain (stroke, radiculopathy, neuropathy)

• Alternative therapies

Read this aloud

" Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it

deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and

lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs psas it on !! “

So what does this have to do with neuropathy!!!??

Nerves to Brain! Perception

Symptoms of Neuropathy

• Burning

• Tingling

• "Egg Shells"

• Numbness

• "Sandpaper"

• Sensitivity/Allodynia

Causes of Neuropathy

• Diabetes• Vitamin Deficiencies• Autoimmune• Toxins• Malignancy• Metabolic• Hereditary• Idiopathic• Hypothyroidism• Infection

Reversing Neuropathy vs Treating Symptoms

• Can nerves heal?

• Can we stop the pain? Why are there different types of neuropathic pain?

• Classic training even among physicians…."There's nothing we can do!"

Stopping Neuropathic Pain

Spinal Cord

Nerve

Brain

Traditional Treatments For Neuropathic Pain

• Lyrica

• Neurontin

• TCA

• Seizure Medications

Emerging and Alternative Treatments

•Laser Therapy

•Neuromodulation

•E-Stim

•Nutraceuticals

Goals of Treatments & Points to Consider

• Quality of Life

• Use it or Lose it

• Functional Recovery