Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect of several commonly used cancer treatments. Chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy by damaging the nerves that control the sensations and movements of our arms and legs.

The most common symptoms are:

• Numbness/ tingling (feeling of pins and needles) of hands and or feet
• Burning of hands and or feet
• Numbness around the mouth
• Constipation
• Loss of sensation to touch
• Loss of positional sense (Knowing where a body part is without looking)
• Weakness and leg cramping or any pain in hands and or feet
• Difficulty picking things up or buttoning clothes

Some of the drugs used to relieve the pain that can come with CIPN include:

• Steroids for a short time until a long-term treatment plan is in place
• Patches or creams of numbing medicine that can be put right on the painful area (ex. lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream)
• Antidepressant medicines
• Anti-seizure medicines

There are other ways to treat CIPN; I strongly recommend looking at all your options before proceeding with pharmaceuticals. Patients that receive treatment for CIPN will undergo a series of vibration therapy and low level laser therapy. If you are interested in seeking treatment for CIPN please book a consultation; this allows me to evaluate the extent of the nerve damage. If you have any questions feel free to ask me next time you are in or you can call our office.

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The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the human body, it is made of individual nerve roots that start by branching out from the spine in the lower back and then combine to form the “Sciatic Nerve”. The term sciatica is used to describe the symptoms of leg pain that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of either leg.

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

• Lower back pain
• Pain in the buttocks or leg that is worse when sitting
• Hip pain
• Burning or tingling down the leg
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
• Shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs)
• A sharp pain that may make it difficult to walk

Chiropractic adjustments free restricted movement in the spine; this helps to restore misalignments in the body to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustments help to reduce nerve irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica.

My team at Lifetime Wellness Center is here to help answer your questions. Please feel free to contact us today. If you enjoyed this blog post make sure to click the Facebook “Like” button above and share it with family and friends.

On Saturday, October 21, 2017 I was on AM800’s – Experts on Call; where I discussed how we specialize in neuropathy treatment and how laser and vibration therapy can help. I also explain the importance of rest for the body to recover. If you enjoyed this post make sure click the Facebook “like” button above and share it with family and friends!

Click play to hear the latest segment!