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Finding Relief from Neuropathy with Instrument Adjusting
- Norbert Gallagher
- Oct 7
- 6 min read
Finding Relief from Neuropathy with Instrument Adjusting
Living with neuropathy can feel like a constant battle. The tingling, burning, numbness, or weakness in your hands and feet can disrupt everything from your sleep to your ability to walk confidently. While there is no single cure for neuropathy, a gentle and precise chiropractic technique known as instrument adjusting may offer significant relief and help you regain function.
This approach focuses on improving how your nervous system and body communicate, addressing the mechanical issues that can worsen neuropathic symptoms. It provides a safe, comfortable, and effective way to manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
This article will explore:
What neuropathy is and its common causes.
How instrument-assisted chiropractic works to ease symptoms.
What a comprehensive treatment plan involves.
Simple tips you can use at home to support your recovery.
What is Neuropathy, and What Causes It?
Peripheral neuropathy means there is damage to the nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord, most often affecting the hands and feet. These nerves are responsible for sending signals about sensation (like touch, temperature, and pain) and controlling muscle movement. When they are damaged, these signals become distorted.
You might experience:
Numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation.
Burning or sharp, shooting pains.
Loss of coordination and balance.
Muscle weakness.
Extreme sensitivity to touch.
Several conditions can lead to neuropathy, including:
Diabetes: High blood sugar is a leading cause of nerve damage.
Chemotherapy: Certain cancer treatments can have toxic effects on nerves.
Nerve Entrapment: Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist) or tarsal tunnel syndrome (ankle) involve nerves being physically compressed.
Spinal Issues (Radiculopathy): A "pinched nerve" in your spine from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis can cause neuropathic symptoms to radiate into your arms or legs.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Low levels of B vitamins (especially B12) are crucial for nerve health.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can trigger an inflammatory response that damages nerves.
How Instrument Adjusting Helps Neuropathy Symptoms
Chiropractic care for neuropathy does not aim to cure the underlying disease. Instead, it focuses on improving your body's function to reduce symptom severity and enhance your overall well-being. Instrument adjusting uses specialized handheld devices to deliver gentle, precise, and rapid impulses to joints and soft tissues. These tools, which may be spring-loaded or electronic (like Activator-style or Arthrostim-like devices), offer a controlled approach without the twisting or popping associated with traditional manual adjustments.
Here is how this gentle technique can help:
1. Gentle and Precise Mobilization
Instrument adjustments restore movement to stiff or "stuck" joints in the spine, feet, ankles, and wrists. This precision allows your chiropractor to target the exact area contributing to your symptoms without using heavy force. Restoring proper motion can take mechanical stress off the surrounding nerves.
2. Decompression of Irritated Nerves
By improving the alignment and movement of your joints, instrument adjusting can help relieve direct pressure on nerve roots and peripheral nerves. Think of it like gently creating more space around a pinched or irritated nerve, which can significantly reduce burning, tingling, and numbness.
3. Improved Circulation and Reduced Inflammation
Restoring proper biomechanics enhances local blood flow. Better circulation brings vital oxygen and nutrients to damaged nerves while helping to flush out inflammatory substances. This creates a healthier environment for nerves to function and potentially heal.
4. Calming the Nervous System
The rapid, light impulses from an adjusting instrument activate special nerve receptors in your joints and muscles called mechanoreceptors. When stimulated, these receptors send signals to the brain that can help override or dampen pain signals. This process, known as central nervous system modulation, can help turn down the "volume" on your pain and hypersensitivity.
5. Better Balance and Proprioception
Neuropathy often impairs proprioception—your body's awareness of its position in space. This is why you might feel unsteady on your feet. By improving joint function from your feet all the way up to your spine, instrument adjusting helps restore clear communication between your body and your brain. This can lead to a steadier gait, improved balance, and a reduced risk of falls.
What to Expect from Your Chiropractic Visit
Your first visit will start with a thorough evaluation to understand the root of your neuropathy.
Your Exam May Include:
A Detailed Health History: Your chiropractor will ask about your symptoms, diagnosis (e.g., diabetic neuropathy), and overall health.
Neurological Testing: This includes checking your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensory perception (using tools to test vibration, light touch, and temperature sensitivity).
Orthopedic and Biomechanical Assessment: The practitioner will examine your posture, gait, and joint motion in your spine, pelvis, and extremities to identify areas of dysfunction.
Based on these findings, your chiropractor can determine if you are a good candidate for care and create a personalized plan.
A Comprehensive Treatment Plan
Effective neuropathy management goes beyond a single adjustment. A comprehensive plan integrates multiple strategies to support your nervous system and overall health.
Instrument Adjustments: At the core of your treatment, these will be used to address joint and nerve dysfunction.
Nerve Gliding/Flossing: Specific, gentle exercises designed to help nerves slide more freely through surrounding tissues, reducing entrapment and irritation.
Mobility and Strengthening Exercises: Targeted exercises to improve flexibility, support your joints, and build strength in weakened muscles.
Balance Training: Activities to retrain your brain and body to work together, improving stability and reducing fall risk.
Soft Tissue Work: Techniques to release tension in muscles and fascia that may be compressing nerves.
Adjunctive Therapies: Your chiropractor may also use low-level laser therapy (cold laser), TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), or vibration therapy to further reduce pain, inflammation, and promote circulation.
The Importance of Lifestyle and Metabolic Support
For conditions like diabetic neuropathy, what you do outside the clinic is just as important. Your chiropractor will work alongside your primary care physician to support your health with guidance on:
Blood Sugar Management: Critical for slowing the progression of diabetic neuropathy.
Nutritional Support: Ensuring adequate levels of nerve-supporting nutrients like Vitamin B12 and folate.
Proper Footwear and Orthotics: Offloading pressure on sensitive areas of your feet can provide immediate relief and prevent further irritation.
Who Benefits Most from Instrument Adjusting?
This approach is particularly well-suited for:
Individuals with mild to moderate neuropathic symptoms.
Patients whose symptoms are related to biomechanical issues like spinal dysfunction or nerve entrapment.
Older adults or those with osteoporosis who require a gentler approach.
Anyone who is sensitive to or prefers not to receive manual chiropractic adjustments.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Chiropractic care can be a powerful tool, but certain "red flag" symptoms require immediate medical evaluation. Contact your doctor if you experience:
Rapidly progressing muscle weakness.
Sudden, severe loss of sensation.
New or worsening problems with bowel or bladder control.
Practical At-Home Tips for Managing Neuropathy
Daily Foot Checks: Inspect your feet every day for cuts, blisters, or sores you may not be able to feel.
Gentle Nerve Flossing: Ask your chiropractor for safe nerve gliding exercises you can do at home.
Start a Walking Program: Even a short daily walk can improve circulation and balance. Start slow and use assistive devices if needed.
Fall-Proof Your Home: Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, clear walkways, and install nightlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is instrument adjusting for neuropathy safe?A: Yes. It is widely considered one of the safest chiropractic techniques. The low-force, precise nature of the impulse makes it suitable for people of all ages and conditions, including those with osteoporosis or high sensitivity.
Q: What does an instrument adjustment feel like?A: Most patients feel a light, quick tapping or clicking sensation at the point of contact. It is generally painless and comfortable.
Q: How long will it take to see results?A: This varies widely depending on the cause, severity, and duration of your neuropathy. Some patients feel improvement in pain and mobility within a few visits, while others with more chronic conditions may require a longer course of care to achieve significant and lasting benefits.
Q: How is this different from a manual chiropractic adjustment?A: A manual adjustment typically involves a hands-on, higher-force thrust to move a joint, which can produce a "popping" sound. Instrument adjusting uses a device to deliver a much faster, lower-force impulse without twisting or forceful movements, making it a gentler alternative.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
You don't have to let neuropathy control your life. By addressing the mechanical and neurological factors contributing to your symptoms, instrument-assisted chiropractic offers a path toward less pain, better function, and renewed confidence.
If you are ready to explore a gentle, effective, and personalized approach to managing your neuropathy, we invite you to schedule an evaluation with our team today. Let's work together to get you moving and feeling better.
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