Losing Balance? Poor Mobility? It Could Be Neuropathy in Traverse City!

Balance and mobility are two things we take for granted - until we start to lose them. In fact, they’re both critical components of healthy aging. Reduced mobility and problems with balance in Traverse City are associated with higher rates of disease and a reduced likelihood of living independently.

Unfortunately, mobility problems can be a bit of a vicious cycle. Once we experience difficulty walking, going downstairs, or exercising, we’re less likely to keep doing those things. However, studies have shown that remaining active helps us remain mobile as we age, so this inactivity leads to further mobility problems. That’s one reason it’s important to address any issues related to mobility and balance quickly, particularly if those problems appear without any obvious physical injuries.

Poor Mobility: A Common Symptom of Neuropathy in Traverse City

Balance issues or difficulty walking and doing daily activities are common symptoms of neuropathy. Consider this: When the nerves in your feet and legs are damaged, it can be difficult to accurately feel where your feet are on the ground. This impacts your proprioception, which is the sense of where your body is in space. The result is a feeling of unsteadiness and often a wider or awkward gait. Neuropathy can also lead to drop foot, where it’s difficult to lift your foot off the ground.

Not just in those with diabetes!

It’s important to note that neuropathy can occur without diabetes. Many other conditions, including vitamin deficiencies, toxin exposure, and alcoholism can trigger the nerve damage associated with neuropathy. And, sometimes there isn’t a clear-cut cause.

Why Standard Treatment Falls Short

The standard treatment for mobility impairment caused by neuropathy is gabapentin, a medication originally developed to treat seizures. Although gabapentin is often an effective treatment, it does carry the risk of several side effects, including dizziness, fatigue, and weight gain - conditions that, somewhat ironically, can harm mobility instead of treating it. Gabapentin can also, rarely, lead to serious side effects such as depression and suicidal ideation.

The Holistic Difference

Holistic courses of treatment help regain mobility without impacting overall health.They’re non-invasive and aim is to encourage mobility and movement by reducing inflammation and restoring nerve function.

Possible natural treatments include:

Lifestyle changes

Easing into exercise while listening to your body, and following a whole-foods diet with an emphasis on foods that can heal nerve damage.

Low-level light therapy

To address nerve damage at the cellular level. Light therapy can also spark the growth of new blood vessels and capillaries, a process known as angiogenesis. Improved circulation benefits nerves by delivering more oxygen to their cells.

Nerve stimulation

A way to “reset” nerves back to their optimum frequency. To do this, electrodes deliver a low-level electrical charge to the body, which stimulates your nerve fibers. Nerve stimulation is effective pain relief, but the process itself isn’t painful.

Vibration therapy

Vibration therapy transmits vibrations to your body, which results in increased blood and lymphatic flow. This improves nerve function, and the way nerves fire to the brain. Many vibration therapy treatments involve standing on a vibrating platform, which improves proprioception and retrains your body to balance.

Don’t ignore balance problems! Address any issues proactively to protect your quality of life. If you’d like to pursue proven forms of treatment, give us a call!

Sources

Pahor M, Guralnik JM, Anton SD, Ambrosius WT, Blair SN, Church TS, Espeland MA, Fielding RA, Gill TM, Glynn NW, Groessl EJ, King AC, Kritchevsky SB, Manini TM, McDermott MM, Miller ME, Newman AB, Williamson JD. Impact and Lessons From the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Clinical Trials of Physical Activity to Prevent Mobility Disability. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 Apr;68(4):872-881. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16365. Epub 2020 Feb 27. PMID: 32105353; PMCID: PMC7187344.

Pahor M, Guralnik JM, Anton SD, Ambrosius WT, Blair SN, Church TS, Espeland MA, Fielding RA, Gill TM, Glynn NW, Groessl EJ, King AC, Kritchevsky SB, Manini TM, McDermott MM, Miller ME, Newman AB, Williamson JD. Impact and Lessons From the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Clinical Trials of Physical Activity to Prevent Mobility Disability. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 Apr;68(4):872-881. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16365. Epub 2020 Feb 27. PMID: 32105353; PMCID: PMC7187344.