“I have numbness in the balls of my feet and the top of my foot. The neurologist doesn’t know what is wrong and my tests come back normal. None of the docs know what to do, can Acupuncture help?”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this scenario. As people are remaining more active well into their golden years, neuropathy is becoming a more common complaint. I also see it in younger people who have a history of back trauma. The numbness may be so severe that balance is affected and walking becomes difficult. Whether this is your specific symptom pattern or not, Acupuncture can be effective in treating any neuropathy pattern.
It is very common to have this type of numbness pattern when the fifth lumbar vertebrae is involved. Often, there will be history of a herniated disc or back pain, but sometimes there may not be any back symptoms present. If there is difficulty or exacerbation of pain and numbness when the big toe is lifted, L5 is definitely the culprit. However, this test does not need to be conclusive for me to successfully treat the neuropathy symptoms.
Using Acupuncture, I treat the area of numbness and gently stimulate the needles by rotating them until there is feeling in that area. Patients get so excited when they can actually feel their feet for the first time in a long time! I will also put needles in the back in the lumbar area and the head. Scalp points are very effective for any nerve issues including neuropathy, paralysis, and stroke. I also stimulate these points by rotating the needles to activate the areas of the brain that supply signals to the feet. Using this outline for the treatments, I will also use points based on the patient’s individual condition.
I have had great success in treating neuropathy and had many patients back on the golf course after just a couple of weekly treatments! Don’t waste another beautiful Spring suffering from neuropathy, Acupuncture can help!
Excited by your comments on using acupuncture to aid numb feet!