Neuropathy: Managing the Numbness and Tingling

Have you ever sat on the floor cross-legged for too long and had pins and needles in your feet when you stood up? They can cause your feet to feel so sensitive it is difficult to even step on the floor. Some people have this feeling on a regular basis—it’s called peripheral neuropathy. In addition to tingling sensations, patients may also feel numbness and burning. The root of these symptoms is nerve damage. One of the most common causes is diabetes, but there are several other factors that can cause damage to the nerves in your feet. Getting to the true cause is the starting point for managing this condition.

Pins and Needles – How Did This Start?

If you are experiencing the various symptoms of this condition, it is important to understand that there are several medical conditions that could cause this to happen. Getting to the root of the cause leads the way in finding the best ways to manage your symptoms. Some of the causes for what you are experiencing include certain medications such as chemotherapy drugs, alcoholism, neurological disorders such as fibromyalgia and spina bifida, acute injury, diabetes, and certain types of arthritis. The medical staff at our podiatric office is known for their expert foot care and ability to provide a thorough evaluation to diagnose the reason for your pain.

Managing the Discomfort

Depending on what is causing your symptoms, it is likely that the neuropathy will worsen if you are not proactive in seeking appropriate treatment. At Dallas Podiatry Works, we are specially trained to treat feet and care about your foot health and quality of life. We strive to offer the best treatments available to protect both. In this case, decreased sensation can inhibit your ability to feel pain, heat and cold. When this happens, you are at a much higher risk for injury. In addition, the numbness, burning, or tingling can be very uncomfortable.

We use a combination of conservative treatment options depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms. To treat your pain and protect your foot health, we may try over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, a lidocaine patch, electrical nerve stimulation, custom orthotics, physical therapy, and infrared therapy. We also encourage regular exercise, smoking and alcohol cessation, a healthy diet, proper maintenance of diabetic glucose levels, massage, and regular foot care. With these home efforts and in-office treatments, we can help you manage any pain and prevent this condition from taking over your life.

Getting In Touch

If your symptoms are treated early, there is a good chance that we can slow down the severity and progression of your neuropathy. It is possible that it can even be reversed depending on what caused it in the first place. We can offer effective solutions to help you manage this condition and protect your activity level and quality of life. Contact Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin at Dallas Podiatry Works at the onset of any new symptom. You can reach our office in Dallas, TX, at 972.853.7100 or Plano, TX, at (972) 943-3323. Quick treatment sets the stage for success—call us to schedule an appointment today!