Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy

Causes of peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a common problem that particularly affects those with diabetes, people undergoing chemotherapy and those with HIV. The most common areas affected by neuropathy of the feet per second being between the hands. peripheral neuropathy symptoms can be varied and may include loss of sensitivity, increased sensation, weakness of muscles of the foot or hand, and symptoms related to changes in the skin and nails.

Unfortunately, as the prevalence of diabetes increases, diabetic peripheral neuropathy becomes more frequent. Statistics show that 25% of diabetic patients will experience pain neuropathic foot. And, because the incidence of diabetes is increasing, as is the incidence of symptoms of neuropathy.

Treatment Options

Of course, the most effective way to help control diabetes foot pain related works to manage the diabetes itself. Once the symptoms have started, medications such as Lyrica and Neurontin are often prescribed to help control nerve pain. For many, the use of these drugs are ineffective or have side effects that limit their use. For this reason, the use of alternative medicine like acupuncture has become more common.

Acupuncture Research

If you consider all treatment options, it is reasonable to assess what research has to say about the effectiveness of treatment. For those who suffer from peripheral neuropathy, there is good news on acupuncture.

A 2007 study entitled "Clinical observation on effect of acupuncture in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy" has involved a total of 60 participants. The study found that those receiving acupuncture showed improvement statically more neurological symptoms and nerve function improved for both sensory and motor nerve conduction compared with the control group.

Another study conducted in Africa in 2006 for the 126 patients who received acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 86% considered the treatment to be effective in reducing symptoms in their hands and feet.

In a Canadian study in 2006 entitled "Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy - a case series" Acupuncture has been used in five cases to reduce neuropathic pain in cancer patients. The acupuncture treatment was considered effective in these cases where the drugs had failed.

And finally, in a study involving 90 Chinese participants, those receiving the whole body or wrist and ankle acupuncture significantly improved blood glucose and lipids, decreased blood viscosity and enhanced features peripheral nerve cells, resulting in therapeutic effects for diabetic peripheral neuritis compared to controls. The study also found no significant difference between the group and the whole body of the ankle and wrist treatment group.

This piece of research in the use of acupuncture for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy is very encouraging. Because of minimal side effects with acupuncture compared with pharmaceutical treatment options, acupuncture should be considered a reasonable treatment option for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.