Peripheral Neuropathy - A Treatment for Painful, Numb Feet

Article submitted by Karen Kurtzweil, MS, OTR - LifeCare Centers of America and Sharon Burt, RN, CWOCN - Physicians Home Health Care.
For more information, visit the website: www.anodynetherapy.com.

Do your feet burn like you are walking on hot rocks or feel numb like they are constantly asleep? You may be suffering from a disease called peripheral neuropathy, and you are not alone. More than 20 million people suffer from the devastating complications of peripheral neuropathy, including pain, numbness, balance problems, slow healing of foot wounds and amputations. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, but is also caused by alcohol abuse, peripheral vascular disease, certain drugs like statins, chemotherapy, trauma and autoimmune conditions like HIV/AIDS.

Research indicates that Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is caused by poor microcirculation to the nerves in the feet, legs and hands. Additional research suggests that diabetics lack a molecule called nitric oxide. This is an important molecule for opening the blood vessels and maintaining normal blood pressure. High blood pressure and high cholesterol may reduce the amount of blood flowing to the extremities, resulting in the nerves and skin not getting enough oxygen and nutrients to stay healthy. Therefore, pain, numbness and breakdown of the skin may occur.

The best way to prevent the progression of neuropathy is to keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range. However, if you are already suffering from the symptoms of neuropathy, your doctor may prescribe you pain medications or topical creams, such as capsaicin. These drugs have been effective in relieving some of the neuropathic pain.

Many patients have also found relief of their neuropathic symptoms in a non-invasive, non-drug treatment that uses monochromatic infrared photo energy (MIRETM). Photo-energy, or light therapy, is being used by thousands of doctors, physical and occupational therapists and wound-care specialists to help improve the numbness, pain and wounds many people have as a result of their neuropathy. Photo energy therapy works by being absorbed through the skin and into the blood, releasing the nitric oxide molecule from the red blood cells. The nitric oxide molecule is then freed to increase circulation.

One photo-energy device called Anodyne Therapy is showing very promising results, with seven published clinical studies demonstrating improvements in neuropathic pain and sensation with the use of MIRE. There are now more than 2500 Anodyne Neuropathy Care Centers that are using MIRE nationwide. These centers are typically located in physical therapy clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, pain clinics, universities, wound care clinics and doctor's offices. The care centers deliver a comprehensive program consisting of 10 to 24 therapy sessions, which include 30-45 minutes of MIRE treatments and various types of physical therapy exercises, such as sensory stimulation, stretching, strengthening and balance exercises. After a patient shows signs of improvement, the doctor or therapist will recommend home exercises, as well as obtaining a home system for the MIRE treatments, to help with ongoing pain relief and maintaining the increase in circulation. With therapy notes showing improvement and a doctor's prescription, Medicare or your private insurance company may cover the majority of the cost of a home treatment system.

While MIRE treatments have been used safely for more than 10 years and thousands of patients are achieving positive results, the technology is not 100% effective, just like anything else in medical science. However, no significant side effects or drug interactions have been reported. MIRE should not be used over an active malignancy or the womb of a pregnant woman. In addition, diabetics should monitor their blood sugars during any change in therapy or activity.