Peripheral neuropathy refers to conditions involving damage to the peripheral nervous system responsible for sending signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. More than 20 million people in this country suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy, of which there are many causes and conditions that can contribute to it. Finding relief and comfort remains a priority for people who suffer from this frustrating condition.
While there are currently many treatments out there for neuropathy, such as medication, there are non-pharmaceutical pain relief options such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that can help with the pain and numbness. There are many causes and conditions of neuropathy, such as immune diseases like Lupus or Celiac disease. Infections, injury, and trauma can all be to blame for the nerve damage inherent in peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy.
A Look at Platelet-Rich Plasma
Known as PRP therapy for short, platelet-rich plasma is an organic healing remedy that relieves pain and promotes healing of the damaged nerves that are associated with neuropathic pain. No medication is involved; rather, the PRP is made from the patient’s own blood, which goes through a process where the plasma gets separated from the red blood cells. The plasma, once separated, is drawn into a syringe and injected back into your body at the site where you are experiencing the neuropathy.
This process triggers the body to begin healing the surrounding tissues. Platelets play a big role in the body’s natural ability to heal. When you are injured, your body sends platelets to the area where they clot, stop the flow of blood, and initiate tissue repair. The PRP injection triggers the body to start healing that specific area while providing growth factors and proteins whose job it is to further assist in the healing process.
The PRP injection process takes only about a half hour, with many patients experiencing relief fairly quickly. This minimally invasive treatment allows you to resume normal activities the same day if you choose.
Why PRP Treatment For Neuropathy?
There are many benefits associated with PRP for peripheral neuropathy. PRP…
- Helps to regenerate nerve tissues
- Reduces pain
- Restores proper function
- Fights and protects against infections and injuries
- Includes growth factors and cytokines
- Provides rejuvenation to the skin through the stimulation of collagen
- Is all-natural and non-invasive
- Helps heal damaged ligaments, joints, muscles, and tendons
Because platelet-rich plasma can enhance and promote nerve regeneration, many people feel symptom relief from pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling sensation, and loss of function. The hands and feet happen to be the most common area of the body where neuropathy is experienced. When injected directly into the pain site, PRP starts distributing the necessary growth factors to eliminate as well as protect against neuropathy symptoms.
Contact Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
To learn more about the benefits of PRP for relief of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, contact our experienced pain specialists for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
FAQs
A Look at Platelet-Rich Plasma
Is there a proven treatment for peripheral neuropathy? ›
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
Usually a peripheral neuropathy can't be cured, but you can do a lot of things to prevent it from getting worse. If an underlying condition like diabetes is at fault, your healthcare provider will treat that first and then treat the pain and other symptoms of neuropathy.
How do you repair peripheral neuropathy? ›
Surgery can help reconnect cut nerves and relieve pain due to trapped nerves. It can also sever or remove damaged or malfunctioning nerves to keep their signals from reaching the brain and vice versa. Physical therapy. This can help you recover from injuries or medical procedures, or improve pain symptoms.
What are the injections for neuropathy? ›
Medications injected may include steroids, local anesthetics, and opioids: Steroid injections may reduce the inflammation and irritation to that nerve and reduce pain. Local anesthetics may also break the cycle of pain and provide some relief of the patient's chronic pain.
Does plasma exchange help neuropathy? ›
It is a treatment option for people with certain types of peripheral neuropathy that cause inflammation in the body, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, a neurological disorder that causes progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms.
What is the number one medicine for neuropathy? ›
The main medicines recommended for neuropathic pain include: amitriptyline – also used for treatment of headaches and depression. duloxetine – also used for treatment of bladder problems and depression. pregabalin and gabapentin – also used to treat epilepsy, headaches or anxiety.
What are the newest treatments for peripheral neuropathy? ›
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
The therapy can be self-administered at home and is often used as an adjunct to medication or other treatments. TENS has shown effectiveness in reducing pain and improving quality of life for individuals with neuropathy.
Has anyone ever reversed peripheral neuropathy? ›
Treatment of peripheral neuropathy relies heavily on the cause of the nerve damage. For example, peripheral neuropathy caused by a vitamin deficiency can be treated -- even reversed -- with vitamin therapy and an improved diet.
What drink is good for neuropathy? ›
Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors. Aim to drink eight 8-oz. of water each day.
What are the worst foods for neuropathy? ›
Specific foods to limit or avoid include gluten, excessive alcohol, added sugars, refined grains, unhealthy fats, and heavily processed items. Even healthy foods could contain hidden compounds that worsen neuropathy. The key is focusing on fresh, whole foods that fight inflammation.
Research shows that when PRP is introduced to injured nerves, it encourages repair and regeneration of nerve tissue. The result is a reduction in neuropathic pain and an increase in sensation. In studies, some patients have reported notable reduction of pain within the first two weeks of treatment.
Which vitamin is best for nerve repair? ›
A 2017 review indicates that supplementing with B vitamins has the potential to promote nerve repair. This may be because B vitamins can speed up nerve tissue regeneration and improve nerve function. B vitamins may also be useful in relieving pain and inflammation.
Are eggs bad for neuropathy? ›
What foods repair nerve damage? A deficiency of vitamin B-12 was found to be one of the causes of peripheral neuropathy, as it causes nerve damage. Besides vitamins and supplements, low fat dairy foods, fishes and eggs are a good source of vitamin B too.
What is the best doctor to treat neuropathy? ›
A neurologist, or a physician who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems, is the best physician to treat neuropathies.
What do neurologists do for neuropathy? ›
Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy
Our neurologists prescribe medication to treat neuropathy. A procedure called plasma exchange can help some people with peripheral neuropathy achieve remission.
Is there any successful treatment for peripheral neuropathy? ›
Plasma exchange, steroids and intravenous immune globulin.
These treatments are often used if inflammation or autoimmune conditions are causing neuropathy with weakness, numbness or imbalance. These therapies are not used to treat pain alone.
What is the life expectancy of a person with peripheral neuropathy? ›
PN was strongly associated with earlier mortality. Mean survival time for those with PN was 10.8 years, compared with 13.9 years for subjects without PN.
What is the FDA approved treatment for neuropathy? ›
Nevro HFX: Effective Spinal Cord Stimulation
Nevro HFX for painful diabetic neuropathy is a spinal cord stimulation device that delivers mild pulses at a high frequency directly to the spinal cord to quiet pain-causing nerves.
