*DISCLAIMER BEFORE YOU READ FURTHER*: Neural Prolotherapy and most Neuropathy treatments are COMING SOON to Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center. However, as of January 2024, we currently cannot offer these treatments due to an unforeseen delay, but plan on overcoming the obstacles needed to offer these treatments in the near future.
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of damage to the nervous system. Specifically, it is a problem with your peripheral nervous system. This network of nerves sends information from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of your body. To combat this issue, we offer neuropathy treatments in Rogers.
However, these treatment options are on the cutting edge of care. That’s why we also wanted to take some time to talk about the condition, too. Lots of people deal with nerve issues, but few of them are confident in their education about nervous health.
As it happens, That’s why the team at the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center wanted to take some time to talk about neuropathy and how to best care for your body.
Support from a Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Stout is the resident vascular surgeon at Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center. You may be wondering: Why would a vascular surgeon be helpful in treating a nervous condition? Nerves don’t have anything to do with the circulatory system!”
While that’s true on a superficial level, your nerves play a vital role in the operation of your veins & arteries, poor vascular health can worsen existing neuropathy or lead to the condition down the road! As a result, Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center offers cutting-edge neuropathy treatments in Rogers to help patients safeguard their vascular (and overall) health.
Dr. Stout provides expert treatment and service to the people of Rogers and beyond. He also services nearby patients from many communities in Arkansas, like Bentonville, Fayetteville, Lowell, and Springdale. And that’s to say, nothing of the patients who travel to us from out of state.
Neuropathy Treatments in Rogers
Usually, peripheral neuropathy can’t be cured, but you can do many things to prevent it from worsening. If an underlying condition like diabetes is at fault, your healthcare provider will treat that first and then treat the pain and other symptoms of neuropathy.
While Neuropathy has historically been a condition you cannot eliminate, just manage. Both through pain management programs or lifestyle changes to improve overall physical health. However, there have been recent breakthroughs in treatment. The most significant innovation amongst neuropathy treatments in Rogers has been neural prolotherapy.
Neural Prolotherapy
Neural prolotherapy, or perineural injection therapy, is an emerging treatment designed to alleviate chronic pain and promote healing in neurogenic pain conditions. It involves the injection of low-concentration dextrose (sugar water) or other solutions near nerves, specifically targeting the peripheral nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals.
The injections are typically administered superficially along the path of the affected nerves, often at multiple sites. The goal is to irritate the nerve’s connective tissue or perineurium, triggering a localized inflammatory response. This inflammatory response stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. This promotes tissue repair and reduces pain signaling.
Neural prolotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure typically performed in an outpatient setting. While a cutting-edge tool, neural prolotherapy is still an experimental treatment solution. If you’re considering neural prolotherapy, it’s essential that you consult with a qualified healthcare provider experienced in this technique to determine if it is appropriate for their specific condition and to discuss potential risks and benefits.
Nerve Stimulators
Nerve stimulators, also known as neurostimulation devices or neuromodulation systems, are medical devices that deliver electrical impulses to nerves or specific areas of the nervous system to manage chronic pain, movement disorders, and other neurological conditions. They work by altering or interrupting pain signals—this reprograms neural activity to provide pain relief & restore bodily function.
Nerve stimulators are typically implanted through minimally invasive surgery. The devices can be programmed, adjusted, or turned on and off externally using a handheld controller or programmer. They offer a non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic conditions and can provide long-term pain relief and symptom control.
As with any medical procedure, nerve stimulators carry risks, and their use should be carefully evaluated by healthcare professionals experienced in neuromodulation. Patient selection, trial periods, and follow-up assessments are important steps in determining the effectiveness and suitability of nerve stimulation for individual patients.
Peripheral Neuropathy Management
And while these procedures aren’t necessarily right for every patient, there are neuropathy treatments in Rogers that focus on managing the condition conservatively.
Even if you already have some form of peripheral neuropathy, healthy lifestyle steps can help you feel your best and reduce the pain and symptoms related to the disorder. You’ll want to quit smoking, not let injuries go untreated, and be meticulous about caring for your feet and treating wounds to avoid complications, such as losing a limb.
In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Other times, prescription medicines are needed. Some of these medicines include mexiletine, a medicine developed to correct irregular heart rhythms; antiseizure drugs, such as gabapentin, phenytoin, and carbamazepine; and some classes of antidepressants, including tricyclics such as amitriptyline.
Non-prescription hand and foot braces can help you compensate for muscle weakness, and Orthotics can help support and cushion your feet as you walk. Relaxation techniques like yoga or acupuncture may also help ease emotional and physical symptoms.
Peripheral Neuropathy Causes
So, now that we’ve discussed neuropathy treatments in Rogers, let’s dive deeper into the condition itself. After all, it’s vital to ensure you’ve got the background you need to better care for yourself. Step 1: Let’s talk about the condition’s causes.
Peripheral neuropathy has many different causes. Some people inherit the disorder from their parents. Others develop it because of an injury or another condition.
A different type of problem, such as a kidney condition or a hormone imbalance, often leads to peripheral neuropathy. One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. is diabetes.
This diversity in treatment causes is a major reason why neuropathy treatments in Rogers, or anywhere for that matter, are so limited. The root of the issue varies from patient to patient and requires comprehensive care solutions.
Peripheral Neuropathy Types
There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, each with its own symptoms. To help doctors classify them, they are often broken down into the following categories:
Motor Neuropathy
Motor neuropathy is a condition characterized by damage or dysfunction of the motor nerves, which control muscle movement. Motor neuropathy often leads to weakness, muscle wasting, and difficulty with coordination and control of voluntary movements.
Common symptoms include:
- muscle cramps
- Twitching
- loss of reflexes.
The condition may affect specific muscle groups or spread throughout the body, leading to significant impairments in mobility and daily activities.
Sensory Neuropathy
Sensory neuropathy is a condition characterized by damage or dysfunction of the sensory nerves, which transmit information about touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception (awareness of body position).
It can be caused by various factors, including:
- Diabetes
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Autoimmune disorders
- Infections
- Exposure to toxins.
Sensory neuropathy commonly manifests as tingling, numbness, or a “pins and needles” sensation in the affected areas. Patients may also experience reduced sensitivity to touch, temperature, or pain.
Autonomic Nerve Neuropathy
Autonomic nerve neuropathy, or autonomic neuropathy, is a condition characterized by damage or dysfunction of the autonomic nerves—nerves that control involuntary bodily functions. These nerves regulate processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, and bladder function.
Common symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- irregular heart rate
- gastrointestinal problems
- urinary dysfunction
- changes in sweating patterns
Autonomic neuropathy has a variety of causes, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders, certain medications, or nerve injuries.
Combination Neuropathies
You may have a mix of 2 or 3 of these other types of neuropathies, such as sensory-motor neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary based on your type and what part of the body is affected. Symptoms can range from tingling or numbness in a certain body part to more severe effects such as burning pain or paralysis.
- Muscle weakness
- Cramps
- Muscle twitching
- Loss of muscle and bone
- Changes in skin, hair, or nails
- Numbness
- Loss of sensation or feeling in body parts
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosis
The symptoms and body parts affected by peripheral neuropathy are so varied that it may be hard to diagnose. If your healthcare provider suspects nerve damage, they will take an extensive medical history and do several neurological tests to determine the location and extent of your nerve damage.
These may include:
- Blood tests
- Spinal fluid tests
- Muscle strength tests
- Tests of the ability to detect vibrations
Depending on what basic tests reveal, your healthcare provider may want to do more in-depth scanning and other tests to get a better look at your nerve damage.
Tests may include:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies
- Nerve and skin biopsy
Peripheral Neuropathy Prevention
Outside neuropathy treatments in Rogers, lifestyle choices play a major role in preventing peripheral neuropathy. You can lessen your risk for many of these conditions by avoiding alcohol, correcting vitamin deficiencies, eating a healthy diet, losing weight, avoiding toxins, and exercising regularly. If you have kidney disease, diabetes, or other chronic health condition, it is essential to work with your healthcare provider to control your condition, which may prevent or delay the onset of peripheral neuropathy.
Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center Can Help
For neuropathy treatments in Rogers, come to the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center. Our experience and growing suite of care options allow us to guide you toward lasting wellness solutions for a happier, healthier life.
We are a premier practice in Northwest Arkansas for all the highest-quality vascular treatments available. Dr. Haney, Dr. Stout, and the expert staff have over 75 years of combined experience in the industry. Patients come to us from across the country—from Fayetteville & Bentonville to Houston, Texas, & Springfield, Missouri—to ensure they receive the best concierge-level care.
After all, helping people is what we do. And it is our mission to provide the people of Arkansas and beyond with the absolute best care possible.
Take the first step on the road to recovery with our Virtual Vascular Screening Tool, or schedule a consultation. We also hold regular free screening events.
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