Chiropractic Neurology: Helpful of Sham?
 

Hi, new to this forum. 50 year old male, otherwise healthy, diagnosed with idiopathic PN a few years ago. Have had it 7 or 8 years, but the early years it was quite manageable. Now both feet are numb and it is heading up both legs so it has my full attention. Like a lot of you, I'm sure, I've researched the crap out of this thing, seen 2 neurologists, tried acupuncture, CBD oil, B12 supplements etc. and nothing has worked. I am hesitant to go for the Lyrica or gabapentin that has been offered. I have seen the videos on chiropractic neurologists across the country and there treatment programs. It seems like they all are pretty similar. Several treatments over a few months, then maintenance treatments, mostly involving instruments to stimulate the nerves or improve circulation. BEMER and Hakomed devices, certain frequency LED lights that sort of thing. Of course, it's not covered by insurance, so it is pricey out of pocket, but my options are dwindling. My question to folks on this Forum, has anyone ever tried one of these programs? They tout 90% success rate, in a least lessening symptoms, if not reversing the nerve damage, but my gut tells me they are taking advantage of desperate folks. Any input from personal experience would be helpful in further vetting this type of program. thx

I wouldn't sign up for any set program or time table..
But might be worth a visit or 2 to a very good /expert multi talented chiro..
If they have low level laser & If stim that might be worth a try.
But there's no guarantee if those will help or not every case is different..

LED light treatment takes much more time & time frame compared to soft/cold/low level laser.. you can get a LED light thing quite cheaply for your own home use..20 mins approx for treatment & X times a day too..
But laser is 20-30 seconds per treatment area.. you might be able to notice a benefit right away..

Hi DWA1, no personal experience here with chiropractic neurology. The very term chiropractic neurologist sends every alarm bell ringing. You hit the nail on the head when you said: they are taking advantage of desperate folks.

My PN is profound, and I have AFO braces on both legs AND walk with the walker. Two of the three major nerves in my legs are completely unresponsive. This has all occurred over the past 15 years, with the profound damage diagnosed 8 years ago. I was not aware that the neuropathy was occurring until it was profound!

One of the most frustrating thing is that when people tell me to just 'try harder' and that if I were in better shape (stronger) I wouldn't have balance issues! I'm sure you have run into people with 'good ideas' about what you should eat, take, do to improve your chronic condition.

I do take Gabapentin, but for Small Fiber Neuropathy, which is neuropathy of the surface nerves in my skin and is called Skin on Fire Syndrome for a very good reason. I take a huge dose daily of Gabapentin (3600 mg/day) which controls but doesn't completely eliminate my discomfort. However, I'm only left with numbness and tinging of the front of my face, lips, tongue. That is bearable.

My family is very medical (husband taught and did Transplantation immunology research, for 25 years at a medical center), and I have very little patience for many true medical professionals, who are undertrained and don't listen or learn anything after medical school, and for most all 'alternative' approaches.

I would say that at least 60% of neuropathies are idiopathic (if you work with a good neurologist, you'll find a cause for your neuropathy very quickly, if there is one: I've had every single genetic test, for example, and have ruled out the usual suspects: diabetes, physical nerve damage, environmental toxins, alcohol abuse, etc.) and that about 90% of the time nothing can be done to reverse, stop or slow down the neuropathy.

But pain and suffering are great motivators, and most of us will not give up the quest for relief.

Regards, ElaineD

Chiropractic neurology appears to me to be the very definition of pseudoscience – it has all the trappings of a legitimate profession, with a complex set of beliefs and practices, but there is no underlying scientific basis for any of it.

Chiropractic Neurology – Science-Based Medicine