Sunday's Video of the Week: Peripheral Neuropathy

If you are beginning to get symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, this is a wonderful video on the common causes that must be investigated. Peripheral neuropathy involves the feet and/or hands initially, and then spread upwards. These video discusses the diligent evaluation of the common causes of this problem. Many feel it is a sensitivity of the nervous system to common environmental excesses that irritate the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy will present 1/3rd of the time as pain alone, 1/3rd of the time as only numbness, and the remaining 1/3rd of the time a mixture of pain and numbness.


The video reviews common peripheral nerve irritants as areas to investigate and reverse. These irritants include:
 deficiency in B12 vitamin,
 deficiency in folic acid and thyamine,
 chemical exposures,
 high glucose levels,
 chronic infections (including lyme disease),
  alcohol toxicity (more than 1 drink per day??), and
  mechanical causes at the foot/ankle/knee/hip/low back.
So many times it is a combination of low grade irritants that lead to symptoms. This is the challenge of trying to diagnosis. But as a patient, these are some of the secrets to easing/treating. 

http://youtu.be/ATu0467azRc




http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2014/02/fridays-patient-problem-of-week_21.html

Foot Numbness: Email Advice

Hi

I have read some of the posts on your blog, but not seemed to find the correct answer to my problem;

Last winter I walked with Ice Traction Cleats for a long time. 1 hour every day for 4 months at least. After that I one day suddenly felt numbness of the ball of my left foot.  I tried talking to a chiropractor who believed there was a problem with the piriformis because I take B12 shots near to this muscle and the piriformis might have been hit.  

I have tried to stretch this muscle, but no relief.  

I have also talked to my doctor who did not believe in the piriformis theory and found nothing after MR.  

The numbness is still the same after 7-8 months and has also occurred in my right foot, but not as strongly. I feel the numbness all the time, but  sometimes it gets worse.  I am not diabetic.

Looking forward to suggestions.  Thanks!

Dr Blake found a video that may show a similar type cleat. 

Dr Blake's comment: 

     First of all, no matter what the cause start massaging Neuro-Eze into the area 3 times daily. Neuro-Eze is a homeopathic topical that concentrates an amino acid L-Arginine. It works on over 50% of my patients with your symptoms. One bottle will last about one month and it is helps keep going. If it does not help, ask your podiatrist, or primary care, to give you an Rx on a compounding nerve lotion or gel. 

     Piriformis syndrome was a good thought since the motion of telemarking, like a ballerina's turnout, overuses the piriformis and can cause irritation to the sciatic nerve there. I am not sure exactly how you moved, but it probably was differently than you walk normally.  But, you can also irritate the same nerve at the low back, in the spine itself to the neck, in the hamstrings, behind the knee, in the calf, and on the inside of the ankle. There are many choices you have. Typically you seek a physiatrist or neurologist to help you sort out where the nerve is being irritated, while you start treatment on the symptoms. 

     Many would also start you on an evening dose of nerve meds like gabapentin, lyrica, or elavil to help calm the nerve down. The faster you act on an upset nerve the better!!