Neuropathy in Feet and Hands: Treatment in Brooklyn

TL;DR

• Neuropathy means damaged or irritated nerves. In the feet and hands it often shows up as numbness, tingling, burning or weakness.
• Common causes include diabetes, low vitamin B12, some chemotherapy drugs, heavy alcohol use and pressure on a nerve.
• See a doctor promptly for sudden weakness, numbness that spreads fast or foot sores that do not heal. Loss of bladder or bowel control is an emergency.
• Treatment starts with finding the cause. At our Brooklyn office, options may include laser therapy, magnetic therapy and physical therapy. Results vary.

What is neuropathy in the feet and hands?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These nerves carry feeling, movement and other signals to your arms and legs. The longest nerves are often affected first, which is why symptoms tend to start in the toes and feet, and later in the fingers and hands.

When more than one nerve is involved, doctors may call it polyneuropathy. When one nerve is pinched or injured, it affects one area, such as a single hand or foot.

Common signs of neuropathy in feet and hands

Symptoms can come on slowly and are easy to brush off at first. Watch for:

• Numbness, or a feeling like you are wearing socks or gloves when you are not
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Burning, sharp or electric pain, often worse at night
• Feet or hands that are very sensitive to touch, even a bedsheet
• Weak grip, dropping things or trouble with buttons
• Poor balance or feeling unsteady on your feet
• Cuts or blisters on the feet you did not notice

Common causes of neuropathy

Neuropathy has many possible causes. Some of the most common are:

• Diabetes. High blood sugar over time can harm nerves, most often in the feet.
• Low vitamin B12. Your nerves need B12. Low levels can come from diet, some medications or absorption problems.
• Chemotherapy. Some cancer drugs can affect the nerves in the hands and feet.
• Alcohol. Heavy drinking over time can damage nerves and lower key vitamins.
• Nerve compression. Pressure on a nerve, for example at the wrist, elbow or knee, or a pinched nerve in the spine.

Other causes include thyroid problems, kidney disease, infections, injuries and some autoimmune conditions. Sometimes no clear cause is found. That is one reason a proper evaluation matters.

When to see a doctor for neuropathy

Make an appointment if numbness, tingling or burning keeps coming back, affects your sleep or makes walking or using your hands harder. Earlier is better, because some causes can be managed once they are found.

See a doctor promptly if you notice:

• Sudden weakness in a hand, arm, foot or leg
• Numbness that spreads quickly over hours or days
• Foot sores, cuts or blisters that do not heal, especially if you have diabetes

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, or sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

How neuropathy is evaluated

The goal of an evaluation is to find what is affecting your nerves and how much. Your visit may include:

• A conversation about your symptoms, health history, medications and habits
• A physical exam that checks feeling, strength, reflexes and balance
• A close look at your feet for skin changes, sores or circulation problems
• Blood tests your doctor may order, for example for blood sugar, B12 or thyroid
• Nerve testing such as nerve conduction studies or EMG, if your doctor feels it is needed

If something like diabetes or low B12 is part of the picture, managing it with your primary doctor or specialist is a key part of care.

Treatment for neuropathy in feet and hands in Brooklyn

There is no one treatment that fits everyone. Most plans combine a few approaches, built around the cause and your symptoms. The aim is to ease pain, help you move and feel steadier, and protect your feet and hands. Treatment does not promise to repair or reverse nerve damage, and results vary from person to person.

At Bay Way Pain Medical Care, options may include:

• Laser therapy. A non-invasive light treatment used to help ease pain. We explain more in our post on neuropathy and laser therapy.
• Magnetic therapy (emFieldPro). A non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields over the treated area. No needles and no downtime.
• Physical therapy. Exercises for strength, balance and walking, plus hand work to help with grip and daily tasks.

Depending on your case, your doctor may also discuss medications, nerve blocks or a referral to another specialist.

Simple daily habits that help

• Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters or redness
• Wear well-fitting shoes and avoid going barefoot
• Test bath water with your elbow, not your feet
• Keep blood sugar in your target range if you have diabetes
• Stay active as your doctor advises

Neuropathy care near Bay Parkway

Our office is at 6010 Bay Parkway, a short trip for patients in Bensonhurst, Borough Park and Bay Ridge. Your first visit starts with an evaluation. If our treatments fit, we explain the plan and what to expect. You can read more on our peripheral neuropathy page.

Frequently Asked Questions