06/27/2025
What is Really Happening to the Body When You Have Peripheral Neuropathy?
Do you ever have the sensation that your feet are wrapped in an invisible layer of pins and needles? Or that they’ve gone completely numb… until the burning pain starts? That is Peripheral Neuropathy- but let’s go over what actually is happening on the inside.
Each one of your nerves is wrapped in a protective myelin sheath- an easy way to think of it is having a warm jacket to protect you from the harsh elements. This coat keeps your nerves insulated, ensuring signals travel smoothly between the brain and the body.
Neuropathy is a process of demyelination, meaning that the protective layer begins to break down. Imagine your jacket starts developing thin spots, frayed edges, and even holes. Now, the cold air gets in, and you feel every bite of the bitter wind.
That’s essentially what’s happening with your nerves. As the myelin deteriorates…
🔥 First, it becomes extremely sensitive, like when your frozen hands start to thaw and the tingling pain sets in. This is typically when burning, tingling, and electric shocks are felt.
🌩️ Then, misfires happen- signals get scrambled between the brain and the body, causing random jolts of pain or hypersensitivity to touch.
‼️ Finally, the nerve is completely exposed. It has been unprotected for too long, and it starts to die. This is when you can experience numbness, balance issues, and loss of sensation.
What is a typical Western Medicine treatment?
Instead of repairing the damage, traditional medicine often just covers it up with pain medicine, nerve medication, or antidepressants. These medications can mask the pain, but they don’t heal the underlying problem.
That’s where our treatments come in. We focus on restoring the nerve’s protective sheath, improving blood flow, and stimulating real healing. So instead of just numbing the problem, we can reverse the damage.
We see many patients at Santa Cruz Acu for Peripheral Neuropathy, and would love to help get you back on your feet. Book now at 831-889-5658!
