Neuropathy Treatment in Ann Arbor
Neuropathy — nerve damage causing numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet — has many causes, and chiropractic care is not appropriate for all of them. However, when nerve symptoms stem from spinal compression, joint dysfunction, or mechanical nerve irritation, chiropractic adjustments may help address the underlying structural problem.
I'm direct with patients about what chiropractic can and cannot do for neuropathy. If your symptoms stem from diabetes, chemotherapy, nutritional deficiencies, or other systemic causes, you need medical management for the underlying condition. If your symptoms come from nerve compression in your spine or peripheral nerve entrapment, chiropractic evaluation may be appropriate.
Types of Neuropathy and Chiropractic's Role
Peripheral Neuropathy from Systemic Causes
Examples: Diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol-related neuropathy
Chiropractic role: Limited. These conditions require medical management of the underlying cause. Chiropractic cannot reverse nerve damage from diabetes or chemotherapy.
What I do: Refer to appropriate medical specialists for diagnosis and treatment of systemic neuropathy.
Radiculopathy (Nerve Root Compression)
Examples: Cervical radiculopathy causing arm numbness, lumbar radiculopathy causing leg symptoms, sciatica
Chiropractic role: Potentially helpful. When spinal nerve roots are compressed by disc herniations, bone spurs, or joint dysfunction, addressing the mechanical compression may reduce symptoms.
What I do: Evaluate spinal mechanics, perform appropriate adjustments to reduce nerve compression, monitor response to treatment.
Peripheral Nerve Entrapment
Examples: Carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, piriformis syndrome
Chiropractic role: May be helpful when entrapment involves spinal alignment, rib position, or muscle tension affecting nerve pathways.
What I do: Assess for mechanical factors contributing to nerve compression, address joint and soft tissue dysfunction.
When Chiropractic May Help Nerve Symptoms
Chiropractic adjustments may be appropriate when:
- Symptoms correlate with specific neck or back positions
- MRI or other imaging shows disc herniation or spinal stenosis
- Symptoms developed after injury or gradual mechanical breakdown
- Medical evaluation has ruled out systemic causes
- Symptoms are in a dermatomal pattern (following specific nerve pathways)
- You have concurrent spinal pain along with nerve symptoms
Important: Even in these cases, I make no guarantees about symptom resolution. Response to chiropractic care for nerve symptoms varies significantly between individuals.
When Chiropractic Is Not Appropriate
I do not treat neuropathy when:
- You have not been medically evaluated for underlying causes
- Symptoms are progressive and worsening rapidly
- You have diagnosed diabetic neuropathy (requires medical management)
- Neuropathy is from chemotherapy or other medications
- Testing shows no spinal or structural nerve compression
- Symptoms include significant muscle weakness or atrophy
- You have both feet affected symmetrically (suggests systemic cause)
In these cases, I refer to neurology, endocrinology, or other appropriate specialists.
My Evaluation Approach
Neurological Examination
- Sensation testing (light touch, pinprick, vibration)
- Reflex testing
- Muscle strength assessment
- Coordination testing
- Dermatomal pattern evaluation
Spinal Assessment
- Range of motion
- Palpation for restrictions
- Orthopedic testing
- Postural evaluation
Determining Appropriate Care
Based on findings, I determine if:
- Chiropractic care may be appropriate
- Medical referral is needed first
- Co-management with your physician is appropriate
- Other specialists should be consulted
What Chiropractic Treatment Involves
If evaluation suggests mechanical nerve compression that may respond to chiropractic care:
Spinal Adjustments
Specific adjustments aimed at:
- Reducing disc pressure on nerve roots
- Improving spinal alignment
- Restoring joint mobility
- Decreasing inflammation around nerve structures
Reality check: Adjustments do not regenerate damaged nerves. They address mechanical factors that may be compressing or irritating nerves.
Monitoring and Re-evaluation
Regular assessment to determine if:
- Symptoms are improving
- Treatment should continue
- Referral to other providers is needed
Realistic Expectations
What May Improve
- Numbness and tingling from mechanical nerve compression
- Radiating pain from disc-related nerve irritation
- Symptoms that worsen with certain positions or activities
- Acute nerve compression from recent injury
What Likely Won't Improve
- Neuropathy from uncontrolled diabetes
- Nerve damage from chemotherapy
- Advanced degenerative neuropathy
- Symptoms from vitamin deficiencies (until deficiency is corrected)
- Severe, long-standing nerve damage
Timeline for Assessment
If mechanical nerve compression is the cause, some improvement should be evident within 4-6 weeks of treatment. If no improvement occurs in this timeframe, continuing the same approach is not appropriate.
Red Flags Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Seek emergency care if experiencing:
- Sudden onset of severe numbness or weakness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness spreading rapidly
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe pain not controlled by medication
Common Questions
Can chiropractic cure neuropathy?
No. Chiropractic cannot cure nerve damage. If nerve symptoms stem from mechanical compression that can be addressed through spinal adjustments, symptoms may improve. But "cure" is not an appropriate expectation.
How do I know if my neuropathy is from my spine?
Medical evaluation including imaging (MRI) and possibly nerve conduction studies can determine if spinal structures are compressing nerves. I can help interpret findings and determine if chiropractic care is appropriate.
Will I need adjustments forever?
If mechanical compression is causing your symptoms and adjustments help, you may need periodic care to maintain spinal health. However, ongoing treatment should result in sustained improvement, not just temporary relief.
What if chiropractic doesn't help?
If symptoms don't improve within 4-6 weeks, we reassess. I may refer you to neurology for additional evaluation or recommend other treatment approaches.
Can you treat diabetic neuropathy?
No. Diabetic neuropathy requires medical management of blood sugar. Chiropractic cannot address nerve damage from diabetes. However, if a diabetic patient also has spinal nerve compression, that mechanical component may be addressable.
My Approach to Neuropathy
I take a conservative, evidence-based approach:
- Thorough evaluation to determine if symptoms may be mechanical
- Appropriate referrals when systemic causes are suspected
- Trial of conservative care (4-6 weeks) with clear re-evaluation points
- Honest communication about what is and isn't improving
- Modification or discontinuation of care if not helping
I don't make exaggerated claims about treating neuropathy. I assess whether mechanical factors are contributing to nerve symptoms and address those when appropriate.
When to Schedule Evaluation
Consider scheduling if:
- You have numbness or tingling in arms or legs
- Symptoms seem related to neck or back positions
- You've been diagnosed with disc herniation or spinal stenosis
- Medical evaluation has ruled out systemic causes
- You want assessment for mechanical nerve compression
Do not schedule without medical evaluation if:
- You have diabetes and haven't discussed neuropathy with your doctor
- You're on chemotherapy
- Symptoms are rapidly progressing
- You haven't had basic medical workup
Schedule Your Evaluation
Located on East Stadium Boulevard, serving Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, and surrounding communities.
Call (734) 929-4523 or schedule online
Performance Health Chiropractic 2330 E Stadium Blvd #3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Hours: Monday–Thursday 9 AM–1 PM, 3 PM–6 PM
Related Services: Sciatica | Neck Pain | Lower Back Pain
About Dr. Timothy Dehr: Dr. Dehr takes a conservative, evidence-based approach to nerve-related symptoms. He performs thorough evaluations to determine if mechanical nerve compression is present and makes appropriate referrals when systemic causes of neuropathy require medical management. Nearly two decades of practice have taught him when chiropractic can help and when other interventions are needed.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Neuropathy has many causes and requires proper medical evaluation. If you're experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness, or other nerve symptoms, consult with your physician for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
