Perhaps nerve damage is something you thought would never affect you personally. This condition can be painful, and if left untreated, it could lead to severe and long-term health issues.
Our Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow specialists have offices in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia, and specialize in treating nerve damage. When possible, our goal is to treat your nerve damage without surgery. One way we have successfully accomplished this is through physical therapy. If you feel this could be the solution you have been searching for, contact us today!
Nerves are composed of neurons that extend from your brain to your spinal cord. Your nerves carry electrical impulses to your nervous system. Your nervous system helps you feel sensations, move your muscles, and carry out involuntary actions such as breathing.
Although any kind of nerve damage can have a significant impact on us, peripheral neuropathy can greatly affect our quality of life.
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to one or more of your nerves outside of your central nervous system. The term peripheral neuropathy can be broken down into three parts:
Simply put, peripheral neuropathy is when the nerves communicating messages to and from your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body have been diseased or damaged.
These messages help your body react to internal and external changes by sending signals about movement, temperature, pressure, and even pain. Once these nerves become damaged, there can be some interference in transmitting messages to our CNS.
Some of the symptoms of damaged nerves include:
These symptoms usually start gradually, affecting just your fingers and toes. However, these symptoms can progressively travel to your hands and feet. Depending on the severity of your condition, symptoms can be constant or periodic.
There are several causes that contribute to nerve damage. These causes can be internal or external, including:
Physical therapy is very beneficial when it comes to treating nerve damage. Physical therapy can help with:
Your physical therapist will use a series of tests (physical and neurological) to see if you have any nerve damage. These tests will check your reflexes, reactions, any sensations you may be experiencing, and your muscle strength. We will also review and discuss your medical history to see whether trauma triggered the damage or if another condition exposed it.
There are several degrees of nerve damage. Your damage could range from carpal tunnel to complete loss of feeling. By completing these tests, your specialist will be able to inform you as to which classification you have, as well as ways to specifically treat it. This specifically tailored treatment plan aims to help eliminate the need for surgery.
Many have found that physical therapy has reduced their pain and allowed them to regain their functionality. Additionally, medication, massage, and functional exercises can be used to help with nerve damage. If these methods do not bring any relief, then surgery may be recommended as a last resort.
Physical therapy has proven to be very effective in addressing nerve damage without the need for surgery. If you live in the Atlanta or Marietta, GA area and are experiencing any form of nerve damage, contact us at Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow today. Our occupational therapists are ready to help you feel your best again!
Dr. Randall Alexander, MD
