1. What
is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral
neuropathy results when the nerves, which provide communication between
the brain and muscles, skin, internal organs and blood vessels, are
damaged. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves in the face,
arms, legs, torso and some cranial nerves. These nerves help muscles
contract (motor nerves), allow a range of feelings (sensory nerves),
and control some involuntary functions of the autonomic nervous system.
2. Is peripheral
neuropathy common?
While
peripheral neuropathy is very common, because there are so many different
types and causes, the occurrence or incidence rate varies significantly.
3. Who can benefit?
Peripheral
neuropathy often affects people diagnosed with:
•
Diabetes – over 50% of diabetics suffer from
peripheral neuropathy.
• Trauma or repetitive
use injury – that puts pressure on a single nerve, such as keyboarding,
assembly line work, using a crutch, certain sports and playing musical
instruments.
• Alcoholism –
excessive drinking can affect the nervous system, causing numbness
of the hands and feet.
• Vitamin deficiencies
– patients deficient in the B vitamins, especially B-1 (thiamine)
and B-12.
• Autoimmune diseases
– such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Patients whose immune
system is compromised by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or
AIDS are at risk.
• Other conditions
– certain types of cancer, kidney and liver disease.
• Exposure to
toxic substances – including heavy metals, such as lead, mercury
and arsenic; organic solvents; carbon monoxide and certain medications,
such as those used to treat cancer or AIDS.
4. Signs
and Symptoms
Peripheral
nerves are fragile and easily damaged. This damage can interfere with
the communication between the brain and area controlled by the affected
nerve. Symptoms will vary based on the cause of the neuropathy and the
involved nerves.
Common
sensory nerve damage symptoms include:
•
Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning
• Loss of feeling
• Increased problems
with balance and/or falls
• Lack of muscle
control
• Burning pain
If the
motor nerves are damaged, the person may experience weakness or paralysis
of the muscles controlled by those nerves.
If the
nerves that control certain functions of the autonomic nervous system
are affected, the person might have:
•
Bowel or bladder problems
• Reduced ability
to perspire
• A severe drop
in blood pressure upon standing up which may cause faintness or lightheadedness.
5. What
are different treatment options?
The goal
of treatment is to manage the underlying cause and to repair damage,
give the patient maximum independence and self-care ability as well
as provide symptom relief. In addition to medications, the doctor may
prescribe different drug-free therapies and treatments, such as physical
and/or occupational therapy, to relieve symptoms and pain, and improve
independence and self-care. Where appropriate, infrared therapy may
be used as part of the treatment plan.
6. What
is Santé’s Peripheral Neuropathy program?
Santé’s
comprehensive Peripheral Neuropathy program incorporates the latest
FDA-approved technology with traditional physical and/or occupational
therapy. The program is non-invasive, pain-free, drug-free and cost-effective.
It begins with a complete physical and/or occupational therapy evaluation,
encompassing range of motion, strength, sensation and mobility.
Based
on the results, our therapists develop a customized plan of care. Treatment
typically includes two to three 60-minute sessions for 5 – 12
weeks. A therapy visit can include any of the following:
•
Infrared
light therapy to reduce pain and increase circulation
• Stretching and
strengthening exercises
• Dynamic and
static balance exercises
• Massage and
other treatments to manage pain
• Activities of
daily living
• Techniques to
improve feeling
7. What
is infrared therapy?
This
new, FDA-approved technology is non-invasive and uses special pads that
are placed on the feet, hands and/or other affected areas during the
patient’s therapy visit. Infrared energy is emitted from these
pads and helps to improve circulation to the treatment area. By improving
circulation, feeling is improved and pain is reduced in the affected
area.
8. Why can’t I just buy the machine?
The machine,
which emits infrared energy, is just one possible component of the patient’s
integrated treatment for peripheral neuropathy. Most insurance companies
will not pay for the machine without clinically documented results of
its effectiveness. Possibly, the most effective initial treatment plan
to document the effectiveness of the machine may include therapy AND
infrared therapy.
9. What
are the expected outcomes from Santé’s Peripheral Neuropathy
program?
Our program
is designed to enhance the patient’s overall quality of life –
reduce chronic pain, improve the patient’s ability to walk, decrease
fall frequency, improve wound healing and minimize amputation. According
to a recent study by Kochman (2004), patients who underwent this therapy
reported:
•
Improved feeling in affected areas – all patients reported improved
feeling and 60% achieved normal feeling.
• Improved walking
and balance – 80% reported reduction in fear of falling and 78%
reported reduction in actual falling
• Improved self-care
activities – 72% reported increase in daily activities.
• Reduced pain –
87% of chronic/post-surgery patients reported reduction in pain.
The increased
circulation in affected areas also improved wound healing and the potential
to prevent amputation.
10. Does
insurance cover peripheral neuropathy treatment?
Yes. Santé’s
Peripheral Neuropathy program is covered by Medicare and other insurance
companies.
11. I cannot
make my co-payments.
Santé
accepts credit cards and offers a convenient payment plan that fits
most people’s needs.
12. What
do I need to do to receive this new therapy?
Ask your
physician for an order/script to receive physical and/or occupational
therapy at Santé. Then call 800-344-4301 to schedule an evaluation.
13. Where
can I find additional information?
American
Diabetes Association National Service Center
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 1-800-232-3472 or 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) Fax: (703)
549-6995
www.diabetes.org
American
Foundation for Urologic Disease
1128 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 1-800-242-2383 or (410) 468-1800
www.afud.org
American
Podiatric Medical Association
9312 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-1698
Phone: 1-800-FOOT-CARE
(1-800-366-8227) or (301) 571-9200
www.apma.org
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Diabetes Translation
Mail Stop K-10
4770 Buford
Highway, NE.
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Phone: 1-877-CDC-DIAB (1-877-232-3422)
www.cdc.gov/diabetes
Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation International
120 Wall Street, 19th floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: 1-800-533-2873 or (212) 785-9500
www.jdrf.org
Lower
Extremity Amputation Prevention Program
HRSA/BPH/DPSP
4350 East-West Highway, 9th floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 1-888-275-4772
www.bphc.hrsa.gov/leap
National
Diabetes Clearing House
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
Phone: 1-800-860-8747 or (301) 654-3327
www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm
National
Diabetes Education Program
1 Diabetes Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3600
Phone: 1-800-438-5383
www.ndep.nih.gov
National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Phone: (301) 592-8573
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr
National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Phone: 1-800-352-9424
www.ninds.nih.gov
References:
A.D.A.M.
Inc. 2002. Peripheral Neuropathy. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000593.htm
(accessed 4 August 2004).
Kochman,
Alan B. 2004. Restoration of sensation, improved balance and gait reduction
in falls in elderly patients with use of monochromatic infrared photo
energy and physical therapy. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 27,
no. 1: 16-19.
Mayo Foundation
for Medical Education and Research. 2004. Peripheral Neuropathy. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00131
(accessed 4 August 2004). |
