Neuropathy Care in West Omaha NE

If you are dealing with burning, tingling, numbness, nerve pain, weakness, or changes in balance, neuropathy may be affecting the way your nerves communicate with the rest of your body.

At Zurek Chiropractic, Dr. Bruce Zurek evaluates patients with neuropathy-related symptoms to better understand how sensation, movement, balance, and nerve function may be affected. If you are searching for a neuropathy specialist in Omaha, our office can help with the evaluation process and determine whether chiropractic or other conservative care may be appropriate.

We serve patients from West Omaha, Millard, Chalco, La Vista, Papillion, Ralston, and surrounding communities.

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What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged or stop functioning normally.

These nerves carry information between the brain, spinal cord, muscles, skin, and other parts of the body. Depending on which nerves are affected, neuropathy can change sensation, strength, coordination, or balance.

The hands and feet are commonly affected, although symptoms can occur in other areas.

Peripheral neuropathy may involve:

• Sensory nerves, which help you feel pain, temperature, touch, and vibration
• Motor nerves, which control muscle movement
• Autonomic nerves, which help regulate functions such as blood pressure, sweating, digestion, and bladder function

Peripheral neuropathy can have many different causes, which is why identifying what may be contributing to the symptoms is an important part of care.

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Common Neuropathy Symptoms

Neuropathy does not feel the same for everyone.

Some people notice mild tingling at first, while others experience burning pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty with balance.

Common symptoms include:

• Numbness in the feet or hands
• Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations
• Burning pain
• Sharp or stabbing nerve pain
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Reduced ability to feel temperature
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Balance problems
• Feeling as though you are wearing socks or gloves when you are not

Symptoms may gradually move farther up the legs or arms as some forms of peripheral neuropathy progress.

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What Can Cause Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is not one single condition with one single cause.

Possible causes include:

• Diabetes
• Physical injuries or nerve compression
• Autoimmune conditions
• Certain infections
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Kidney or liver disorders
• Thyroid and other metabolic conditions
• Exposure to certain toxins
• Some medications, including certain chemotherapy drugs
• Repetitive pressure on a nerve
• Inherited neurological conditions

Sometimes the cause cannot immediately be identified. This is referred to as idiopathic neuropathy.

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. NIDDK reports that diabetic peripheral neuropathy commonly affects the feet and legs and can also involve the hands and arms.

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Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage associated with diabetes.

Over time, elevated blood glucose and other metabolic factors can damage nerves and the small blood vessels that support them.

Symptoms may include:

• Burning in the feet
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Pain
• Weakness
• Reduced ability to feel temperature or injury
• Changes in balance or walking

People with diabetes and reduced feeling in their feet also need to pay close attention to cuts, sores, blisters, and other injuries because they may not notice them as quickly.

Chiropractic care does not replace diabetes management. Patients with diabetic neuropathy should continue working with the healthcare provider managing their diabetes.

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Neuropathy Evaluation at Zurek Chiropractic

A neuropathy evaluation begins by understanding exactly what you are experiencing.

Dr. Zurek may ask:

• When did the numbness or tingling begin?
• Where are the symptoms located?
• Are both sides affected?
• Is there burning or sharp nerve pain?
• Have you noticed weakness?
• Does the problem affect your balance?
• Have you had previous injuries?
• Do you have diabetes or another medical condition?
• What medications or treatments have you already tried?

The examination may include testing related to:

• Sensation
• Reflexes
• Muscle strength
• Balance
• Coordination
• Movement
• Areas of numbness or altered sensation
• Musculoskeletal function

This type of evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms appear to involve peripheral nerves and whether additional medical testing may be appropriate.

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Neurological Testing and Nerve Function

Dr. Zurek also performs neurological examinations for patients experiencing nerve-related symptoms.

Depending on your condition, the evaluation may look at reflexes, balance, coordination, sensation, strength, and movement.

Dr. Zurek may also use Infrared Thermography, sometimes called a neurothermal scan, as part of the examination process.

This testing is only one part of the overall evaluation. It does not replace medical testing such as blood work, nerve-conduction testing, electromyography (EMG), or imaging when those tests are indicated.

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How Chiropractic Care May Fit Into Neuropathy Care

Neuropathy can have many causes, so chiropractic treatment is not appropriate for every patient or every type of nerve damage.

When musculoskeletal problems, joint restrictions, previous injuries, or mechanical nerve irritation appear to be contributing to a patient’s symptoms, chiropractic care may be one part of a broader treatment plan.

Depending on the examination findings, care may focus on:

• Improving joint movement
• Addressing surrounding muscle tension
• Improving comfortable movement
• Supporting balance and mobility
• Reducing mechanical strain around irritated nerves
• Providing appropriate home movement or exercise recommendations

The goal is not to claim that a chiropractic adjustment can reverse peripheral nerve damage.

Instead, Dr. Zurek evaluates the individual patient and determines whether there are musculoskeletal or mechanical factors that can reasonably be addressed in the office.

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Neuropathy vs. a Pinched Nerve

Not every case of numbness or tingling is peripheral neuropathy.

A nerve may also become irritated or compressed because of problems involving the spine, joints, discs, or surrounding tissues.

For example, nerve irritation can sometimes produce:

• Pain traveling down an arm or leg
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Burning sensations
• Muscle weakness

Determining whether symptoms are coming from peripheral neuropathy, a compressed nerve, or another condition is an important part of the evaluation.

Patients with symptoms related to the lower back may also benefit from evaluation for sciatica, while hand symptoms may sometimes involve conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Balance Problems and Neuropathy

Changes in sensation in the feet can make it harder to know exactly where your feet are positioned.

This can affect balance and increase the risk of falls in some people with peripheral neuropathy. NIDDK and NINDS both identify problems with balance and coordination as possible consequences of peripheral nerve damage.

If you have begun feeling unsteady when walking, standing, or changing direction, tell Dr. Zurek during your evaluation.

Sudden balance problems, especially when accompanied by weakness, difficulty speaking, severe dizziness, or other neurological symptoms, require prompt medical attention.

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Looking for a Neuropathy Specialist?

If numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, or balance problems are interfering with your daily activities, the first step is understanding what may be causing them.

Dr. Bruce Zurek provides neurological and musculoskeletal evaluations for patients with neuropathy and nerve-related symptoms. He can determine whether conservative chiropractic care may be appropriate and recommend additional medical evaluation when necessary.

Call (402) 333-0352 or contact Zurek Chiropractic to schedule a neuropathy evaluation.