Safe And Effective Treatment Is Available To Relieve The Discomfort.
Numbness, tingling, weakness, pain: Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy a condition caused by damaged nerves that often starts in the hands and feet can range from uncomfortable to very painful.
For many people, those symptoms have worsened during the pandemic, says Paul Abend, DO, FAAPMR, Medical Director, Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Rahway. This is especially true for people with diabetes, the most common cause of the condition. (Other causes include chemotherapy and radiation treatment, infection, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications.)
“People haven’t been going out as much, and they tell us they’ve been sitting around more. They may have limited their trips to buy food. As a result their A1C levels a key measure of blood sugar are not being well controlled, which can aggravate neuropathy,” says Dr. Abend. “Eating better and getting exercise are keys to getting the A1C level under control.”
Help at Hand
For those who need treatment, advanced neuropathy therapies are available at RWJUH Rahway. “If you have previously had treatment for neuropathy and had a setback, you may need adjustment in your treatment, almost like a tune-up,” says Dr. Abend.
Patients need not fear coming to the hospital, he says, because every safety precaution has been taken to keep patients and employees safe. These measures include taking temperatures; cleaning equipment before and after each use; washing hands; wearing masks and necessary protective equipment; and proper physical distancing. Patients who have weakness and balance issues will receive evaluations by occupational and physical therapy specialists. If appropriate, assistive devices such as a cane or walker are prescribed, as well as devices for home areas such as the bathroom and chairs.
For neuropathy caused by diabetes or chemotherapy, the team at RWJUH Rahway has had success with MicroVas, in which electrical stimulation boosts blood flow and helps heal damaged tissue.
The healing continues at home. “With neuropathy, as with so many conditions, it’s the responsibility of the patient to take ownership of their care. Otherwise, it doesn’t work,” says Dr. Abend.
That means keeping up a regular exercise routine. “You don’t have to go to a gym,” says Dr. Abend. “You can go for a walk outside; if it’s raining, go up and down steps in your home. Try a guided tai chi or yoga video. Use arm weights. Therapeutic resistance bands are great for strengthening muscles.”
The important thing, says Dr. Abend, is not to suffer unnecessarily with neuropathy. “We are here to help you,” he says, “with the most advanced treatments available.”
You can learn more about physical therapy and neuropathy treatment at RWJUH Rahway here.