Peripheral Neuropathy is the term used to describe disorders of the peripheral nerve. Approximately 50% of diabetics will develop the condition. Many people using statin pills: ‘cholesterol dugs’ will be affected by this mysterious and under-recognized malady.
Neuropathy means disease or abnormality of the nervous system. We think of neuropathy as any damage to the nervous system. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Herniated Discs, and Strokes are all insults to different areas of the nervous system, all with different symptoms. Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects all nerves of the heart and digestive system, to the nerves in the hands, feet, and legs.
There are two types of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy; negative and positive. Negative signs, which come first, are when damage to the nervous system, obviously, brings about LOSS of a particular function. For example; loss of reflexes, loss of strength, and loss of sensation like numbness. But these are rarely detectable to the patient, because the brain makes up the difference in these losses. Only after some time do the sick and damaged nerves develop the positive signs of neuropathy; tingling, burning, biting, stabbing, shooting pains. This too is a reaction of the brain and nervous system, unfortunately, this overreaction tears apart the fiber of patients’ lives. Each patient will describe their pain in their own individual language of pain.
21st Century Chiropractic uses light therapy to help Peripheral Neuropathy patients. The use of LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) also called Monochromatic Infrared Energy is basically LIGHT THERAPY.
The array of infrared and visible light diodes creates a comforting warm feeling under the pads. That is the light energy being absorbed by the cells under the pads. The photo energy (pad heat) dilates the blood under the vessels, which often causes an increase in circulation. The light and mild warmth from the light units also may reduce and alleviate pain.
Additionally, patients using low level laser therapy may experience a decrease in local swelling, decreased inflammation, decreased tension, increased range of motion, increased lymphatic drainage and increased venous dilation and flow.
The Light Therapy has been established as a useful tool to:
· Increase vascularity by increasing the formation of new capillaries, which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed up the healing process by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients needed for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.
· Increasing the energy level in the cell. Light Therapy stimulates the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the major carrier of energy to all cells.
· Increasing in the ATP allow cells to accept nutrients faster and get rid of waste products faster. More energy helps the cell to heal and work easier.
· Increase lymphatic system activity. This reduced edema, which is the swelling or natural splinting process of the body.
· Reduce the excitability of nervous tissue. The photons of light energy enter the body as negative ions. This calls upon the body to send positive ions like calcium among others to go to the areas being treated. These ions assist in firing the nerves thereby relieving pain.