Neuropathy Treatment in Houston, TX
Peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating condition that occurs when the nerves responsible for carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body are damaged, compressed, or diseased. The result is a frustrating “short-circuiting” of the nervous system — producing persistent pain, numbness, burning sensations, and loss of coordination that can make even simple daily activities difficult. At Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine, Dr. Kenneth Haywood takes a functional, whole-body approach to identify the source of your nerve dysfunction and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes — without heavy reliance on pain medication.
Book OnlineRecognizing the Symptoms of Neuropathy
Neuropathy often begins subtly — usually in the feet or hands — and progresses gradually over time. If you are experiencing any of the following, your nerves may be struggling:
- Numbness or Tingling: Often described as a “pins and needles” sensation, or the constant feeling of wearing an invisible thin sock or glove.
- Burning or Sharp Pain: Sudden “lightning bolt” sensations or a constant burning ache in the feet, legs, or hands.
- Muscle Weakness: Difficulty walking, loss of coordination, tripping over small objects, or feeling like your legs might give out.
- Heightened Sensitivity to Touch: Even the light weight of a bedsheet or clothing can feel painful or intensely irritating to affected areas.
- Balance Problems: Difficulty standing still or walking on uneven surfaces due to impaired sensory feedback from the feet.
Understanding the Root Causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathy is not a single disease — it is a symptom of an underlying issue. Dr. Haywood takes a comprehensive diagnostic approach to determine exactly why your nerves are failing. Common causes addressed at our Houston clinic include:
- Spinal Compression: Misalignments in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) spine can pinch the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord, causing symptoms that travel down the arms or legs. This is one of the most common and most treatable causes of neuropathy.
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Chronically elevated blood sugar damages the small blood vessels that supply the peripheral nerves, leading to progressive nerve damage — particularly in the feet and lower legs.
- Circulatory Insufficiency: Poor blood flow to the extremities deprives nerves of the oxygen and nutrients they need to function, accelerating deterioration.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Deficiencies in B vitamins (particularly B12), vitamin D, and other nutrients are associated with peripheral nerve dysfunction.
- Toxin Exposure: Certain medications (particularly chemotherapy agents), alcohol, and industrial chemicals can cause toxic neuropathy.
Our Functional Approach to Neuropathy Care
At Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine, treatment is never one-dimensional. Dr. Haywood combines multiple evidence-based therapies to address both the structural and physiological contributors to your nerve dysfunction:
- Chiropractic adjustments to eliminate spinal compression on affected nerve roots
- Spinal decompression therapy for cases involving disc herniation or spinal stenosis
- Metabolic health guidance to address blood sugar dysregulation, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies that impair nerve health
- Therapeutic exercises to improve circulation, proprioception, and functional balance
- Lifestyle and nutritional coaching to support ongoing nerve repair and symptom management
You Do Not Have to Live With Nerve Pain
Too many neuropathy patients are told that nothing can be done — that medication management is their only option. At Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine, we take a different position: identifying and addressing the underlying causes of nerve dysfunction can halt progression, restore some degree of function, and significantly improve quality of life. Call us today at (281) 301-7710 to schedule your neuropathy evaluation in Houston, TX.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropathy Treatment
Can chiropractic care help with neuropathy?
Yes — particularly when the neuropathy has a spinal compression component. If nerve root irritation in the lumbar or cervical spine is contributing to your symptoms, chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression can provide significant relief by removing the source of that compression. For neuropathy with metabolic causes, Dr. Haywood addresses the nutritional and lifestyle factors impairing nerve health.
What is the difference between peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy refers specifically to nerve compression at the spinal nerve root level — caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis. Peripheral neuropathy is a broader term referring to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves anywhere along their path, with causes ranging from diabetes to nutritional deficiencies to toxin exposure. Both can produce similar symptoms and often coexist.
Is diabetic neuropathy reversible?
Early-stage diabetic neuropathy can potentially be improved or its progression slowed through strict blood sugar control, nutritional support, and improved circulation. Advanced neuropathy with significant nerve damage is harder to reverse, but symptom management and functional improvement are still achievable goals. Dr. Haywood works to address the metabolic and structural factors that drive diabetic nerve damage.
How does poor circulation contribute to neuropathy?
Peripheral nerves require a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered through the blood. When circulation is impaired — due to diabetes, heart disease, or physical compression — nerves become “oxygen starved” and begin to deteriorate. Improving blood flow through exercise, spinal decompression, and metabolic health interventions is a key component of neuropathy treatment at Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine.
What tests are used to diagnose neuropathy?
Diagnosis involves a detailed neurological examination, assessment of reflexes and sensation, and review of your health history and any existing lab work. Dr. Haywood may also recommend specific blood tests to evaluate for nutritional deficiencies or metabolic imbalances. In some cases, referral for nerve conduction studies may be recommended.
Can neuropathy affect my balance and increase my fall risk?
Yes. Impaired sensory feedback from the feet — a hallmark of peripheral neuropathy — significantly disrupts proprioception (your sense of body position) and can dramatically increase fall risk. Therapeutic exercises that retrain balance and strengthen the stabilizing muscles are an important component of neuropathy rehabilitation.
Does neuropathy always get worse over time?
Not necessarily. With the right interventions, it is possible to slow the progression of neuropathy, maintain current function, and in some cases improve symptoms — particularly when the underlying cause is identified and addressed. Early intervention produces the best outcomes, which is why prompt evaluation is strongly encouraged.