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What You Need To Understand About Back Pain and Neuropathy

While most people associate Neuropathy with pain in the lower legs, feet, arms, and hands, it’s also possible to have neuropathy in your back. This is because Neuropathy can occur in any nerve, including those in the back, neck, and hips. Any time a nerve is compressed or damaged, it can begin sending pain signals to the brain. If you have such pain, you need to seek out Spinal Decompression. If you haven’t dealt with this type of Neuropathy before, here are some of the basics.

How Does Neuropathy in the Back Occur?

While Peripheral Neuropathy can occur from a number of different conditions and diseases, Neuropathy in the back typically occurs because the nerve is compressed. There are a number of different injuries that can cause this. One of the most common causes of Neuropathy in the back is a herniated disc. The disc presses in on the nerve, causing it to send pain signals to the brain. That’s not to say conditions such as diabetes or thyroid conditions can’t cause Neuropathy in the back—they can, though Peripheral Neuropathy is more common.

In addition to herniated discs, there are a number of other things in the back that can press on a nerve, leading to Neuropathy. These include bone spurs and even the spine itself. Tumors, while rare, can also press on a nerve and lead to nerve damage.

Disc Centers of America / NEURODoc physicians are trained to spot degenerative disease associated with Neuropathy.

Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain in the Back

One of the reasons most people don’t immediately think about Neuropathy in their back is because the pain often doesn’t occur there. Instead, those who have nerve damage or compressed nerves in their back often feel the pain in areas such as one leg or arm.

For example, sciatica is a type of Neuropathy that is known for causing pain that radiates down one leg. However, that pain actually comes from a nerve in the back.

If you have had surgery on your back and later begin to experience chronic and gradually increase pain, you may also have nerve damage. Most people assume that the back surgery was not entirely successful, which is true to some extent.

Most people who have Neuropathy that originates in the back describe the same symptoms that those who suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy do. This includes sudden, sharp shooting pains, persistent tingling, a burning feeling, and weakness in the affected area.

How Is Neuropathy in the Back Treated?

Treating Neuropathy in the back depends on what is causing it. If it is caused by a condition such as diabetes, the only real way to eliminate the pain is by dealing with your blood sugar levels. There are methods we can use to help you get the pain under control while you work to lower your blood sugar so you don’t have to live in pain for months.This is where Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression comes into play.

In some cases, a realignment can help relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Spinal Decompression can help to stretch the spine and release pressure caused by damaged discs or from a misaligned spinal column. In extreme cases, surgery is the only option, but we reserve that as a last resort. There are many treatment optio2ns that are non-invasive and do not rely on medication to mask the pain.

We’re Here to Help

If you’re suffering from back pain, give DCOA/NEURODoc a call today.

We will determine the cause of the pain and, if it’s Neuropathy, work with you to get it under control so you can enjoy your life. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Advanced Light Therapy for Neuropathy & Chronic Pain in Centereach, NY

For those living with the constant tingling, burning, or sharp pains of peripheral neuropathy, finding hope can be a challenge. At Centereach Disc Centers of America, Dr. Malak Azab is proud to offer Anodyne® Therapy, a state-of-the-art, non-invasive treatment that provides real, lasting relief by addressing the underlying issues of poor circulation and pain.

If you are suffering from pain, stiffness, or numbness due to diabetes, chemotherapy, vascular disease, or other conditions, this clinically proven therapy can help you reclaim your comfort and get back to the things that make life special.

What is Anodyne® Therapy?

Anodyne® Therapy is a medical device, cleared by the FDA, that is indicated to temporarily increase local circulation and reduce pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. It uses a specific wavelength of infrared light (890 nm) delivered through flexible therapy pads that can be applied directly to any area of the body.

This technology is a trusted name in light therapy, prescribed by over 20,000 doctors and therapists who rely on its clinical effectiveness to help patients manage acute and chronic conditions. It is a powerful, drug-free tool that allows us to treat the source of your pain, not just mask the symptoms.

How Does It Provide Relief? The Science of Nitric Oxide

Anodyne® Therapy works through a process called Monochromatic Infrared Energy (MIRE). The therapy pads deliver infrared energy that penetrates below the skin, helping to trigger the local release of Nitric Oxide (NO) from your red blood cells.

The discovery of Nitric Oxide’s role as a crucial signaling molecule in the body was so significant it earned researchers the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology. When released, Nitric Oxide has been clinically shown to:

  • Improve Local Circulation: NO is a vasodilator, meaning it helps relax arteries and veins to improve blood flow.
  • Reduce Pain: It plays a direct role in providing pain relief at the treatment site.
  • Decrease Inflammation: It helps manage the body’s inflammatory response.
  • Promote Healing: Studies have linked Nitric Oxide to the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and the synthesis of collagen, both essential for tissue repair.

This process is particularly significant for individuals with diabetes, as research has shown that their nitric oxide metabolism is often altered. Anodyne® Therapy directly targets these pathways to help restore function and relieve symptoms.

Clinically Proven Results: The Evidence

The effectiveness of Anodyne® Therapy is not just theoretical; it is backed by extensive clinical research.

  • Significant Pain Reduction: In a major study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications involving 2,239 patients, a clinical treatment program including Anodyne® Therapy demonstrated an average 67% reduction in pain.
  • Reduced Reliance on Medication: Another study of 493 patients, published in Practical Pain Management, showed an average 64% reduction in lower extremity pain. Furthermore, 51% of those patients were able to reduce their use of pain medications.

Your Path to Recovery: What to Expect

Your journey with Anodyne® Therapy at Centereach Disc Centers of America begins with a comprehensive assessment with Dr. Malak Azab. He will evaluate your condition, discuss your functional limitations, and design a personalized plan of care to help you achieve your goals.

A typical treatment program consists of 10-24 therapy sessions and integrates Anodyne® Therapy with our expert physical therapy services for the best possible outcome. Your plan may include:

  • Anodyne® Therapy Sessions: Usually lasting 30 minutes, three times per week.
  • Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: To improve stability and function.
  • Dynamic and Static Balance Exercises: To reduce fall risk and improve coordination.
  • Massage and Other Therapeutic Modalities: To provide additional pain relief.

Is Anodyne® Therapy Safe?

Anodyne® Therapy has been used safely for over a decade on hundreds of thousands of patients. It is a non-invasive treatment with no known drug interactions or side effects. However, certain precautions are necessary:

  • Therapy should not be used directly over an active malignancy or the womb of a pregnant woman.
  • Patients with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar carefully, as increased activity during therapy can affect levels.
  • There is a slight risk of a superficial burn if therapy protocols are not followed correctly.

Continuing Your Progress at Home
While acute injuries may not require ongoing treatment, the conditions that cause chronic pain and poor circulation often do. To help you maintain the progress you make in our clinic, Anodyne® Therapy offers systems designed for safe and effective home use.

It’s time to imagine your life without the constant burden of pain. There is hope.

Call Now to Schedule Your Consultation and find out if Anodyne® Therapy is the solution you’ve been searching for!

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