Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center

Brain Based Treatment for the 21st Century!

Imagine waking up each day feeling unsteady on your feet, unable to trust your body to move without faltering. You notice a tingling sensation in your hands and feet, and over time, simple tasks like walking or buttoning a shirt become a challenge. These symptoms can be the silent intrusions of polyneuropathy, a condition that affects millions and undermines mobility and quality of life.

Polyneuropathy is more than just numbness or weakness; it is a systemic issue that disrupts the intricate communication between your nerves and muscles. While traditional medical approaches often focus on symptom management, chiropractic neurology provides an integrative and functional perspective to address the root causes and improve outcomes.

What Is Polyneuropathy?

Polyneuropathy refers to the simultaneous dysfunction of multiple peripheral nerves, typically in a “glove and stocking” distribution, affecting the hands and feet first. This condition can arise from various causes, including:

  • Diabetes mellitus: High blood sugar damages peripheral nerves over time.
  • Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in B vitamins, especially B12, impair nerve function.
  • Toxic exposures: Alcohol abuse or exposure to heavy metals can lead to nerve damage.
  • Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) attack peripheral nerves.

The symptoms of polyneuropathy often include:

  • Persistent numbness or tingling sensations.
  • Muscle weakness, leading to difficulty performing routine activities.
  • Burning or sharp pains, often exacerbated at night.
  • Impaired reflexes and coordination issues.

Understanding these symptoms is the first step in recognizing the condition’s impact on daily life. For many patients, this loss of normal function creates an emotional toll, contributing to anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.

The Scope of Polyneuropathy in the U.S.

Polyneuropathy is a significant public health concern in the United States. An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy, with diabetes being the leading cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 50% of individuals with diabetes develop neuropathy over their lifetime.

Age is another critical factor; the prevalence of polyneuropathy increases significantly among individuals over the age of 50, making it one of the most common neurological disorders in older adults. The condition’s impact on balance and mobility often leads to falls, which are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in seniors.

How Polyneuropathy Affects Balance and Movement

Nerves are the communication highways of the body, transmitting signals from the brain to the muscles and back. Polyneuropathy disrupts these signals, leading to:

  1. Sensory Loss: Damage to sensory nerves diminishes the brain’s ability to perceive body position and movement, impairing balance. This often leads to falls, a significant concern for older adults.
  2. Motor Deficits: Weakness in the muscles due to motor nerve dysfunction affects walking, climbing stairs, and performing daily activities. Muscle atrophy can develop if the condition progresses without intervention.
  3. Reflex Impairment: Reduced or absent reflexes contribute to slower reaction times and instability. This delay in muscular response can make even minor missteps dangerous.
  4. Pain and Tingling: Chronic discomfort can alter gait and posture as patients unconsciously adapt to minimize pain. These adaptations often lead to secondary musculoskeletal issues, such as back or knee pain.

The Brain’s Role in Establishing Equilibrium

Our ability to maintain balance and navigate the world is a complex process orchestrated by the brain, relying on three primary systems:

1. Vision

The visual system plays a critical role in equilibrium by providing the brain with information about the environment. Visual cues, such as the position of the horizon or stationary objects, help the brain determine body orientation. When vision is impaired or inconsistent with other sensory inputs, balance can be compromised. For instance, navigating uneven terrain or dimly lit spaces becomes significantly more challenging.

2. Proprioception

Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense its position and movement in space. This “sixth sense” is mediated by receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints that send continuous feedback to the brain about body position. Proprioceptive input allows us to adjust our posture and movements in realtime, maintaining stability even when our eyes are closed or when visual cues are unavailable. In cases of polyneuropathy, impaired proprioceptive feedback often leads to a sense of instability and frequent falls.

3. Vestibular System

Housed in the inner ear, the vestibular system detects changes in head position and movement. It sends signals to the brain to help coordinate balance and eye movements. For example, the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes vision during motion, allowing us to focus on objects while walking or turning our heads. Dysfunction in the vestibular system can lead to vertigo, dizziness, and a profound loss of balance.

Integration of the Three Systems

Equilibrium is achieved when the brain integrates inputs from vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system. This integration occurs primarily in the cerebellum and brainstem, regions of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and maintaining posture. When one system is compromised—such as reduced proprioceptive input in polyneuropathy—the brain compensates by relying more heavily on the remaining systems. However, this compensation has limits and may lead to instability if additional challenges, like poor lighting or uneven surfaces, are introduced.

A Chiropractic Neurology Approach

Chiropractic neurologists focus on optimizing the nervous system’s function through targeted, noninvasive interventions. This approach involves three key pillars:

1. Comprehensive Assessment

A detailed neurological and functional examination identifies the severity and specific patterns of nerve dysfunction. Tests may include:

  • Balance assessments: Tools like computerized posturography to evaluate stability and identify patterns of imbalance.
  • Nerve conduction studies: Measuring the speed of electrical signals in the peripheral nerves to determine the extent of damage.
  • Sensory and motor testing: Pinpointing areas of weakness, numbness, or pain to create a precise therapeutic plan.
  • Gait analysis: Observing how a patient walks to identify compensatory patterns that may exacerbate nerve dysfunction or instability.

2. Restoring Neural Communication

Chiropractic neurologists use therapies designed to retrain and optimize neural pathways:

  • Sensorimotor therapies: These involve coordinated movements that integrate sensory input and motor output. For example, targeted exercises can retrain how the brain and body respond to specific stimuli, improving stability and coordination.
  • Mirror therapy: This innovative approach uses visual feedback to trick the brain into perceiving movement or sensation in a limb affected by neuropathy. It can reduce pain and improve function by creating new neural connections.
  • Proprioceptive exercises: Training the body’s awareness of its position in space is key for balance and movement. Patients may practice standing on unstable surfaces, performing dynamic movements, or engaging in exercises using tools like balance boards.
  • Proprioceptive and visual feedback: Combining proprioceptive inputs with visual cues enhances neuroplasticity. Patients might use interactive tools that require them to respond to visual prompts while maintaining balance, fostering improved motor coordination.
  • Low-level laser therapy: This non-invasive approach has shown promise in reducing inflammation and encouraging nerve regeneration.

3. Supporting Overall Health

Addressing underlying contributors to polyneuropathy is essential:

  • Nutritional counseling: Supplementation with B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants supports nerve health. Patients with diabetes may benefit from targeted blood sugar management strategies.
  • Lifestyle modifications: Exercise routines tailored to the patient’s capabilities can maintain muscle strength, improve circulation, and support nerve repair.
  • Detoxification protocols: Removing heavy metals or reducing alcohol intake when applicable can prevent further nerve damage. Dietary changes, like increasing fiber and hydration, can support the body’s natural detoxification processes.
  • Stress management: High stress levels can exacerbate inflammation, impacting nerve health. Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or biofeedback can complement chiropractic interventions.

Empowering Patients Through Education

A vital aspect of chiropractic neurology is empowering patients with knowledge. Understanding the condition and the rationale behind each therapeutic intervention fosters trust and encourages adherence to care plans. Patients who actively participate in their treatment—through exercises, dietary changes, and regular follow-ups—often achieve the best outcomes.

Education also includes addressing misconceptions. Many individuals believe that nerve damage is irreversible, but research and clinical practice increasingly demonstrate the potential for nerve repair and functional improvement with the right interventions. Chiropractic neurologists play a crucial role in dispelling myths and inspiring hope.

If you or someone you love is suffering from polyneuropathy and you would like to learn how chiropractic neurology can help, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP

Peer-Reviewed Sources:

  1. Callaghan, B. C., et al. (2012). Diabetic neuropathy: Clinical manifestations and current treatments. The Lancet Neurology, 11(6), 521-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S1474-4422(12)70057-8
  2. Vinik, A. I., et al. (2013). Advances in understanding and treating diabetic neuropathy. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 1(4), 331-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S2213-8587(13)70046-8
  1. Richardson, J. K. (2002). The clinical identification of peripheral neuropathy among older persons. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 83(11), 1553-1558. https:// org/10.1053/apmr.2002.34618