DUNEDIN, Fla., March 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raveling Chiropractic Center is educating patients about the benefits of chiropractic care for peripheral neuropathy treatment. Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder characterized by tingling, numbing and/or tickling sensations in the extremities. Diabetes is a leading cause for peripheral neuropathy; according to research, 60 percent of individuals with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy. However, this condition can also affect individuals with autoimmune disorders, tumors, nutritional imbalances and infections. Some cases may also be hereditary. According to chiropractor Dr. Paul Raveling, prompt diagnosis and chiropractic care can help manage pain symptoms by treating the underlying cause.
Peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 20 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Damage to the peripheral nerve system not only causes pain, but also affects the brain's ability to effectively communicate with every part of the body.
Peripheral neuropathy symptoms range from mild tingling and numbness to prickling sensations. While the numbness usually begins in the fingers, it can spread throughout the hands and the feet. As the condition worsens, it may feel like a throbbing or freezing pain sensation.
"Everyone experiences peripheral neuropathy a little differently," said Dunedin chiropractor Dr. Paul Raveling, who treats peripheral neuropathy patients at his practice, Raveling Chiropractic Center, P.A.
"For some individuals, the pain may come and go, while for others, the pain may be constant. As the condition worsens, individuals may experience coordination and balance loss, along with a freezing pain, muscle weakness or extreme sensitivity to touch. I urge anyone who may be experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate treatment."
Peripheral neuropathy is associated with both motor nerve damage and sensory nerve damage. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help minimize the severity of this damage and better manage a patient's symptoms, according to Dr. Raveling.
"Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for peripheral neuropathy because it targets the root cause for a patient's pain symptoms; we do not simply rely on medication to numb this pain," said Dr. Raveling. "While chiropractic care is not a 'cure' for peripheral neuropathy, it is an important part of an effective treatment program."
Dr. Raveling stressed that peripheral neuropathy pain symptoms are a critical indicator of poor health and should not be ignored. A diagnostic exam can help determine the root cause for a patient's pain and whether additional specialty care is needed.
"Treatment programs that cover up the symptoms are ignoring the bigger problem," said Dr. Raveling. "As a chiropractor, I follow a 'whole body' approach to treatment, which means we start by addressing the underlying trigger for a patient's pain."
In addition to peripheral neuropathy treatment, the Dunedin chiropractic center provides comprehensive chiropractic services including spinal adjustments, physiotherapy, massage therapy and customized diet programs for weight loss. To learn more about these services or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Raveling, visit http://drraveling.com/.