Effective Strategies for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Pain Management

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

St. Louis Pain Consultants offers targeted peripheral nerve stimulation treatments. These treatments involve applying stimulators to body areas where a nerve is damaged or causing pain. These leads target the specific nerve to alleviate pain and restore normal function. Temporary leads are placed to make sure the treatment is effective before placing a permanent stimulator.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation involves using electrodes to block incoming pain signals before they move through the spinal cord to the brain. This treatment can relieve nerve pain in the back, legs, arms, or a combination of the three areas. Spinal cord stimulation is recommended for patients who have chronic nerve pain. Temporary leads are applied for a week to determine whether the treatment positively impacts nerve function. If the patient experiences a reduction in pain, then moving forward with a permanent stimulator implantation is recommended.

Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation is an electrode service that helps individuals manage their diabetic peripheral neuropathy pain. During the treatment, electrodes are placed over the painful dorsal root ganglion areas to intercept pain signals from the periphery before they can be carried to the brain. This treatment is ideal for individuals with focal nerve pain. If a patient has positive results with dorsal root ganglion stimulation, they are typically a good candidate for permanent stimulator placement.

Physical Therapy

Pain management specialists may recommend and refer you to a physical therapist for treatment. Physical therapy for neuropathy involves exercise, massage, and other treatments to increase your range of motion, strength, and balance. This helps keep you mobile and active, reducing the effects of neuropathy risk factors. Using physical therapy alongside other nerve treatments can help you manage your pain and improve your symptoms.

Medication

Your pain specialist may prescribe certain medications to help manage your diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Recommended medications include the antidepressants, nortriptyline and duloxetine and the anti-seizure medications gabapentin and pregabalin. These medications treat pain caused by peripheral neuropathy over time by increasing the number of neurotransmitters that reduce pain signals. Medication can be used alone or in combination with other nerve stimulation treatments to manage pain more effectively.

Building Healthy Habits

Building healthy diet and exercise habits can help you manage diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Our specialists may recommend following a balanced diet and exercising regularly to help you maintain a healthy weight and improve muscle strength. They may also suggest that you quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake to boost overall health. These habits may improve your symptoms and slow the progression of nerve damage.

Schedule a Pain Management Consultation

St. Louis Pain Consultants helps individuals manage various types of pain by addressing the symptoms and the underlying causes. We provide pain management and relief by offering treatments through a progression program. This helps us identify and adjust treatments that are working for your specific condition. Request an appointment with our specialists today to learn more about our pain management services.