Neuropathy relief in Jacksonville starts with an honest look at what is causing the numbness, tingling and burning in your feet or hands. Peripheral neuropathy means the nerves at the far ends of the body are not working the way they should, and the cause matters more than anything else. A nerve root pinched in the low back is a mechanical problem with a mechanical answer, which is a different conversation from nerve damage driven by blood sugar or medication.
What neuropathy feels like
Most people describe some mix of these, usually starting in the toes and feet before it ever reaches the hands:
- Burning, tingling, or a pins and needles feeling in the feet or hands
- Numbness, as if you are wearing socks or gloves that are not there
- Sharp, electric jolts that are often worse at night
- Feet too sensitive to bear the weight of the bed sheets
- Trouble feeling the floor, and balance that feels less steady
- Weakness in the feet or toes, or tripping more often
- Symptoms on both sides, in a stocking or glove pattern
- Symptoms that slowly creep upward over months
Finding the cause comes first
Neuropathy is a description, not a diagnosis. Diabetes is the most common cause, and others include chemotherapy, vitamin B12 deficiency, heavy alcohol use, some medications, and thyroid or kidney problems. Those are managed by your physician, so we will ask what testing you have already had and send you back to them if something has not been looked at.
Some numbness and tingling in the legs is not neuropathy at all. A disc or a tight spot in the low back can compress a nerve root and send symptoms down into the foot, usually on one side and often with back pain. That is a mechanical problem, and our sciatica page explains how we treat it. The exam separates the two by testing reflexes, strength and sensation in each nerve territory, and by checking your balance.
How acupuncture fits in
Burning, tingling and numbness in the feet and hands is one of the things people most often ask about acupuncture for, usually after medication has taken the edge off without touching the numbness. The studies on peripheral neuropathy, most of them in diabetic neuropathy and in the nerve pain that follows chemotherapy, generally report improvement in symptoms and sometimes in nerve conduction measures. The trials are small, and the effect is symptom relief rather than a cure for the underlying cause. We tell every patient that plainly before starting.
Dr. Cody Muren is a certified Chiropractic Acupuncturist, and treatment usually runs as a short series so we can judge honestly whether your symptoms are responding before you commit to more.
How we treat neuropathy symptoms
The plan follows the cause, and for most people it combines a few of these:
A full neurological screen
Sensation, reflexes, strength and balance, plus the low back, so we know whether we are dealing with neuropathy, a pinched nerve root, or both.
Acupuncture
Points chosen for the burning and tingling in your feet or hands, run as a short series and reassessed as we go.
Treating the back when it is involved
When a nerve root in the low back is part of the picture, gentle adjustments and soft-tissue work take pressure off it. See chiropractic adjustments.
Balance and foot care
Simple balance work and daily foot checks, because numb feet miss the small injuries and uneven ground that lead to falls.
Some clinics advertise laser or light treatments for neuropathy. We do not offer cold laser, and our cold laser therapy page explains why.
When to see a doctor right away
Get urgent care if numbness or weakness comes on suddenly, spreads quickly over days, or affects one side of the body. A foot wound or blister that is not healing needs your physician or a podiatrist promptly, especially if you have diabetes. Numbness in the saddle area with new bladder or bowel changes is a same day emergency.
Numb feet deserve a real answer. Same-day appointments are often available. Call (904) 539-3352 and we’ll start by finding out what is actually behind your symptoms.
Neuropathy relief for Southside, Baymeadows and the Beaches
Full Swing Healthcare is at 13770 Beach Blvd #4, a short drive from Southside, Baymeadows and Deerwood, and from Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. Acupuncture for nerve symptoms works as a series of visits, so a clinic close to home makes it far easier to finish what you start.
Looking after your feet in the meantime
Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters or redness you may not feel. Wear shoes that fit well, even at home, and keep walkways clear and well lit to avoid falls. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar in the range your physician sets is the most important thing you can do for your nerves. Keep moving too, because regular walking helps circulation and balance.
Neuropathy questions
Can neuropathy be reversed?
It depends on the cause. When the cause is found and treated early, such as a vitamin deficiency or a compressed nerve root, symptoms can improve a great deal. Long-standing nerve damage from diabetes is harder to reverse, and care focuses on easing symptoms and protecting your balance and your feet.
Does acupuncture help neuropathy?
The research, mostly in diabetic and chemotherapy-related neuropathy, generally shows symptom improvement, but the trials are small and it is not a cure. We run a short series and reassess so you can judge whether it is helping.
How do I know if it’s neuropathy or a pinched nerve?
Neuropathy usually affects both feet in a sock-like pattern and creeps upward slowly. A pinched nerve root in the back usually affects one leg, follows a line down the leg and often comes with back pain. The exam tells them apart, and some people have both.
Do I need a referral or insurance to be seen?
No referral needed, just call or book online. We accept Florida Blue, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, Florida Medicaid, and VA benefits, and we’re happy to verify your coverage before you come in.