Infrared Therapy for Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which damage to the nerves serving the hands and feet causes pain, loss of sensation and/or possible motor difficulties. MayoClinic.com likens the pain of neuropathy to a sensation of burning or tingling, while loss of sensation is compared "to the feeling of wearing a thin stocking or glove." An increasingly popular method of treatment for this condition is infrared therapy.

Causes

• The nerve damage associated with peripheral neuropathy can be caused by a variety of factors, one of the most common is diabetes, according to MedlinePlus. Other systemic or metabolic disorders that could be responsible for your neuropathy are cancer, uremia linked to kidney failure, chronic alcohol abuse and dietary deficiencies, including a shortage of vitamin B12. Neuropathy also can be caused by infections, such as AIDS/HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease and lupus; exposure to toxins, such as heavy metals, nitrous oxides, industrial chemicals and sniffing glue; certain drugs; prolonged exposure to cold; pressure on the nerve for an extended period; and reduced oxygen and blood flow.

Diagnosis

• If you are experiencing pain or numbness in your extremities or some difficulty in moving your limbs, see a doctor immediately. She pwill order a series of tests to determine if a neuropathy exists. According to MedlinePlus, a blood test may be ordered to screen for underlying medical conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Neurological testing may consist of one or more of the following diagnostic procedures: electromyography to gauge the health of both muscles and the nerves that control them; nerve biopsy; and nerve conduction tests.

Treatment

• Treatment of your peripheral neuropathy may consist of multiple therapies combining drugs, physical and/or occupational therapy to rehabilitate damaged nerves and muscles, and braces, splints or wheelchairs to address movement problems. Under the overall umbrella of physical therapy, infrared treatment is a specific type of therapy that has been successful, particularly in patients with peripheral neuropathy of diabetic origin.

  One specific type of infrared treatment, according to the American Diabetes Association's DOC (Diabetes, Obesity, CVD) News, is the Anodyne Therapy System, an infrared medical device that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994. This form of treatment can help to increase circulation to your affected nerves, reducing pain and restoring sensation. It may not be successful in patients who already have suffered an advanced degree of sensation loss.

  In the March 1, 2005, issue of Podiatry Today, Stephanie Wu, D.P.M., reported that a study had shown the monochromatic near-infrared treatment (MIRE) system was extremely effective in treating diabetic neuropathy. Wu explained that the MIRE system uses small, flexible pads, each of which contains 60 light-emitting diodes. These pads are applied to the skin in affected areas. "These superluminous gallium aluminum arsenide diodes emit 9 milliwatts of near-infrared photo energy per square centimeter at a monochromatic wavelength of 890 nanometers." She pointed out that the MIRE system had been approved by the FDA to decrease pain and improve circulation.