Peripheral Neuropathy Treatments
Current Treatments
There are few options for neuropathy sufferers.
Unfortunately, the
most common remedies are short sighted and usually involve the use of
prescription medication, injection therapy, and
physical therapy.
Surgery may be needed to treat some causes of neuropathy
(e.g.,
carpal tunnel syndrome).
In many cases, prompt diagnosis and treatment of the
underlying cause can reduce the risk for permanent nerve
damage. For example, controlling diabetes
may reduce diabetic neuropathy and in extreme cases renal dialysis
often improves neuropathy that develops as a result of
chronic renal failure. Removing toxicity inside the body
and minimizing toxin intake are important for for long
term wellness.
Current Treatments Consist of...
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Pharmaceuticals - Cymbalta®,
Neurontin®, Topamax®, Elavil®
Temporarily reduces pain. No lasting therapeutic effect. |
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Surgery - Addresses
correctable physical issues. Carpel Tunnel, back, knee, hip, etc.
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Injection Therapy / Skin
Creams - Temporarily
reduces pain. No lasting therapeutic effect. |
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Light / Laser Therapy -
Intention is to improve circulation and control infection.
No lasting therapeutic effect. |
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Physical Therapy - Improve
Circulation, reduce inflammation, physically stimulate nerves. |
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TENS ● -
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
See note below. |
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Nutrition Therapy -
Correct Vitamin / Mineral Deficiencies |
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Address Daily Causes -
Cigarettes!, Alcohol, Sugar, etc. |
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Address Underlying Causes
- Diabetes, lyme's, AIDS, MS, obesity, control infections, etc. |
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Holistic Therapies - Body
detoxify (liver/kidneys/parasite), Oxygen, Ozone, Magnets, TENS,
Nutrition |
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TENS is a
very VAGUE term. TENS devices can deliver quite different
signals, designed to do different things. We point this
out because this is why we've invited you here today. |
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Pharmaceuticals
Prescription drugs
can only relieve the
pain temporarily, and do little or nothing to mitigate
or cure the underlying condition. They may provide some
level of temporary relief, but as the disease
progresses, the effective dosage of the drug needed to
continue suppressing the pain increases concurrently.
The side effects of these types of drugs can be difficult
to deal with and even add to the patient’s discomfort. When
the increased drug dosage reaches a threshold level, the
patient can become confused, ataxic, constipated,
confined to a wheelchair or may become bedridden.
Symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s can follow.
Because analgesics (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen) are
usually ineffective against pain caused by neuropathy,
treatment often involves medications that target nerve
cells.
Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta®) has been
approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Common side
effects include constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth,
and nausea. In some cases, Cymbalta® causes dizziness
and hot flashes.
Although anticonvulsants such as
gabapentin
(Neurontin®)
and
topiramate
(Topamax®) and antidepressants such as
amitriptyline
(Elavil®) are not approved by the
FDA to treat neuropathy, they are often prescribed to
treat this condition. Side effects of these drugs
include drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and
fatigue.
Other medications include anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine
[Tegretol®],
lamotrigine
[Lamictal®]),
local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine [Xylocaine®]), and
antiarrhythmics (e.g.,
mexiletine
[Mexitil®]).
Anticonvulsants may cause low white blood cell counts,
nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Side effects of
lidocaine and mexiletine include nervousness,
lightheadedness, drowsiness, and double vision.
Topical treatment with
capsaicin cream (Zostrix®) may
be prescribed for patients with focal neuropathy.
Capsaicin causes stinging upon application and is
often combined with a local anesthetic to reduce this
side effect. Axsain® (.25% capsaicin in Lidocare®
vehicle) contains a higher dose of capsaicin in a cream
that reduces stinging and burning. Lidoderm® (lidocaine
patch 5%) has been shown to be helpful for localized
areas of tingling or burning.
Pregabalin (Lyrica®) has been approved by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat post-herpetic
neuralgia (shingles
pain). Common side effects include drowsiness,
dizziness, nausea, weight gain, and swelling (edema).
Injection Therapy
Injection therapy involves injecting a nerve block
(e.g.,
lidocaine) into the area surrounding affected
nerves, preventing the nerve from carrying impulses to
the brain and temporarily reducing symptoms. Injection
therapy is often used with other treatments (e.g.,
medication,
physical therapy).
Other "Treatments"
Discontinuing medication and exposure to the
substance may eliminate neuropathy caused by medication
and toxins. Pay close close attention to see if
pain, numbness, tingling subside.
Physical therapy (e.g., exercise, massage,
heat) and acupuncture (i.e., insertion of fine
needles into specific points on the body) may be used to
treat symptoms.
"Alternative"
Peripheral Neuropathy
Treatments
If you talk to your doctor, you will probably be told
that there is no cure for neuropathy, period.
While in some cases this may true, in many other cases,
a cure may in fact be possible. Not just a short
term masking of pain like drugs, but true long term
results can be achieved. The following approaches
can be very powerful, especially when protocols are
combined. As we discuss on the "causes" page, several
variables can be working against you at the same time.
The simple holistic, or "alternative" approach is to
address the CAUSAL factors and also employ the use of
aggressive neuro-stimulus.
Aggressive Neuro-stimulus: The ReBuilder
The
ReBuilder cures neuropathy for the vast majority.
The ReBuilder’s patented electrical stimulation dedvice has been proven
94% effective in
recent clinical studies in reducing and even REVERSING
the symptoms of neuropathy. Unlike common
TENS devices that merely block pain signals, the
ReBuilder does the opposite... the ReBuilder opens up
the nerve paths and re-educates them so that normal
signals can finally get through. The increase in blood
flow from the ReBuilder causes muscle contractions and
actual healing can be accomplished, not just masking
your pain.
Read
about the ReBuilder here.
Oxygen Therapies
We know that
anoxia (lack of oxygen) is a major contributing factor
to peripheral neuropathy. (and many other diseases)
It should also be remembered that oxygen is also one of
the most important internal cleansing agents. Oxygen
brings life and healing power into our bodies, but it
also helps remove toxic loads on our body, which is
one of the causal factors of peripheral
neuropathy. (and many other diseases) Any long term
healing effort should include an oxygenation protocol.
Clinical
setting treatments may include Hyperbaric Oxygen
Treatments (HBOT); intravenous (blood transfusion);
breathing masks;
nasal
cannula (tube through sinus), and more.
Home use
therapies can include simple breathing exercises or a
prescription breathing mask device. HBOT chambers
for the home are now available. However, most products
use water as the carrier to deliver the much needed O2.
Below are some of our favorite oxygen products for home
use.
See more
about oxygen here.
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Vitalizer Plus™
see more here |
Oxygenate, Structure,
Energize Your Own
Water! This
amazing piece allows you to Structure
your own water and add up to 30% more
Oxygen with efficient absorption.
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Super cellular hydration
and revitalization
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Increased oxygenation at the cellular level
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Enhanced nutrient
delivery
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Activate enzymes, immune
response,
metabolism
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• Electron-rich free-radical neutralization
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• Slightly alkaline pH
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Ozone Generator
see more here |
Ozonate water and oil to deliver
ozone (Oxygen)!
Ozone is O3,
whereas the oxygen we breathe is O2. Ozone works for a
variety of ailments. Good for diabetics with poor
circulation. (all of us really!)
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Nutrient Supplementation
Several key
nutrients must be available for optimal nerve health.
Deficiencies in these vitamins be direct cause,
or can exacerbate, a neurological disorder like
peripheral or optic neuropathy.
Vitamins to make sure you're getting include the
following:
Vitamin B12 supports the myelin sheathing that
protects nerve cells and axial fiber, and has been shown
in studies that it promotes the regeneration and growth
of nerve cells.
Neuropathy has been found to be caused and made
worse by deficiencies of vitamin B12 in the body.
Vitamin B12 is a
water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve
in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body
through the urine. That means you need a continuous
supply of the vitamin in your diet.
Thiamine
(Vitamin B1) is essential in energy-yielding
metabolism, especially carbohydrates, and for
nerve conduction. It has
been known for some time that increased levels of
Thiamine (B1) in the blood stream are very
effective in reducing and even reversing neuropathy
symptoms. It
is needed by the body to heal the nerve damage. It
doesn't last long in the body, so several daily doses
may be needed. Deficiency
results in the disease
beriberi—degeneration
of the sensory nerves in the hands and feet, spreading
through the limbs, with fluid retention and heart
failure. Relatively acute deficiency, associated with
alcohol abuse, results in central nervous system damage.
(Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome)
Folic
acid or folate.
Folic Acid
is a B vitamin. It is crucial for the health of
the heart; enhances healthy blood and DNA formation; and
increases stamina, endurance and tolerance to stress.
Folic Acid
is water-soluble, which means it cannot be stored in the
body. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover
amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine.
That means you need a continuous supply of the vitamin
in your diet.
An important ingredient needed by our bodies for proper
B12 metabolization.
Co-Q10
(Coenzyme Q 10) is the enzyme required to make
cell energy (ATP) from blood sugar/glucose and
oxygen. As one of the electron carriers in the electron
transport system, it helps cells utilize oxygen very
efficiently. Since an adequate supply of oxygen is
necessary for tissue repair and immune function,
numerous therapeutic effects of coenzyme Q10 have been
reported; most notably in areas where oxygen deficiency
is a known causal factor.
Eliminate Contributing
Factors
Toxic load on
our bodies is becoming down right scary. Immune
diseases of ALL kinds are skyrocketing. Cancers,
MS, asthma, A.D.D., heart disease, and neuropathy
are just a few. In order to truly rehabilitate
ourselves from any health condition, including
neuropathy, we must always address the issue of toxic
load on our bodies.
Ozone
is not just another disinfectant. Ozone is a true sterilant. It has the
ability to completely destroy not only bacteria, but also viruses, spores,
fungus, mold, mildew, cysts, and many other contaminants (solvents, dyes,
PCBs, metals, etc.) while at the same time breaking down dissolved organic
materials by oxidation. Excellent body detoxifier.
see more on ozone here
The road to recovery STARTS with
the ReBuilder™!