Conditions Treated

The spine is a stacked structure made up of 33 bones or vertebrae, which protect the spinal cord from injury or trauma. The bones of the spine allow a person to stay upright, bend, and twist. They are held in place by a network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Nerves extend from the spine to other areas of the body, such as the arms and legs. The spine is curved which is vital for spinal health. These curves are responsible for shock absorption, balance, and a range of movements. Each vertebra is cushioned from its neighbor by an intervertebral disc. This protects the vertebrae from rubbing on top of each other. When injuries occur, these intervertebral discs can become damaged and cause compression or irritation of a nearby nerve root. Depending on which nerve is compressed, a person can experience pain in a variety of locations throughout the body. People can develop radiculopathy as the result of an injury, or it may occur for no apparent reason. Those individuals ages 30 to 50 years old are most likely to experience radiculopathy in the cervical and lumbar spine areas.

Radiculopathy can be caused by a variety of conditions or injuries, including:

• A herniated disc, when a disc protrudes, compressing the nerve root
• Sciatica
• Degenerative disc disease
• Bone spurs
• Tumors of the spine
• Osteoarthritis or spinal arthritis
• Spinal stenosis, a painful condition when the spinal canal narrows
• Compression fractures
• Spondylolisthesis, when a vertebra moves and rests on the vertebra below
• Scoliosis caused by an abnormal curve in the spine
• Diabetes, caused by altered nerve blood flow
• Cauda equine syndrome, an uncommon but serious condition when nerve root compression affects the pelvic organs and lower
• Extremities

Additional risk factors for developing radiculopathy include:

• Aging
• Being overweight
• Poor posture
• Improper lifting techniques
• Repetitive motions
• A family history of degenerative bone conditions

Peripheral neuropathy typically occurs when you suffer from nerve axon damage. Your nerve axon relays electrical impulses throughout your body. For example, a damaged axon inside one of your sensory neurons impairs your feeling when you touch something. Other symptoms of neuropathy include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning

In most cases, neuropathy symptoms affect your extremities. The feet are almost always affected, but the hands and fingers are frequently affected too. What causes peripheral neuropathy? The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy are:

• Diabetes
• Traumatic injury
• Infection
• Metabolic disorders

In many cases, peripheral neuropathy is preventable. Peripheral Neuropathy is caused by factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxins, and poor nutrition.

How is peripheral neuropathy diagnosed?

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy can be complicated because it’s usually the result of an underlying condition like diabetes. To make an accurate diagnosis, your provider reviews your medical history, and conducts one or more of the following tests.

• Physical examination
• Neurological examination
• Reflex check
• Muscle tone and strength check
• Sensory tests
• Posture analysis
• Coordination test
• Blood test
• Urinalysis
• Thyroid function test
• Nerve function test

You may also need a nerve biopsy.

How is neuropathy treated?

At Optimum Health Clinics, we have found that patients get the best results with a combination of powerful noninvasive treatments. Their comprehensive treatment strategy may include: medical injections, chiropractic care, and rehabilitative therapy.