Peripheral Neuropathy: Comprehensive Neuropathy Treatment for Feet in Springfield, MO

Feeling numbness, burning, or sharp pain in your feet can make even simple daily tasks exhausting. Many people in Springfield experience these symptoms for years without answers, often being told it’s “just aging” or something they have to live with. But when your feet stop feeling normal, your confidence, balance, and independence can quickly slip away.

The truth is, peripheral neuropathy isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s disruptive. It keeps people from walking comfortably, enjoying activities, or feeling steady on their feet. The good news is that you’re not stuck with these symptoms forever. With the right evaluation and a treatment plan that looks beyond temporarily masking pain, real improvement is possible.

A simple breakdown of what causes neuropathy, how Dr. Ken Sharlin approaches treatment differently, what modern neuropathy care looks like, and the steps you can take to start feeling better.

Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy

To understand how to treat the problem, we first have to understand the mechanism. Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease; it is a description of damage to the peripheral nervous system; the vast communication network that transmits information between your brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) and every other part of your body.

Think of your nerves like the electrical wiring in your house. In a healthy system, the wires are insulated and conduct electricity instantly. In peripheral neuropathy, that wiring is frayed, compressed, or chemically damaged.

When this damage occurs in the feet, it usually follows a “stocking-glove” pattern, starting at the toes and slowly moving up the legs. The symptoms can vary wildly depending on which types of nerves are affected:

• Sensory Nerves: Damage here causes the classic “pins and needles,” burning, freezing, or sharp, stabbing pains.
• Motor Nerves: Damage here leads to muscle weakness, cramping, and eventually muscle wasting (atrophy).
• Autonomic Nerves: These control unconscious functions. In the feet, damage here can cause dry, cracked skin because sweat glands stop working properly.

Source: Shutterstock

Why the Feet? The Anatomy of Nerve Damage

Patients often ask me, “Dr. Sharlin, why does it always start in my feet?”

The answer lies in the length of the nerves. The nerve cells that control your toes have their main body in your lower back. The “wire” (axon) has to travel all the way down your leg to reach your foot. These are the longest cells in the human body. Because they are so long, they are the most vulnerable to metabolic starvation, toxin exposure, and lack of blood flow. They are the furthest from the supply chain.

The Role of Small Fiber Neuropathy

Often, standard testing comes back “normal,” yet the patient is in agony. This is frequently due to Small Fiber Neuropathy. These tiny, unmyelinated nerve fibers in the skin transmit pain and temperature sensation. They are often the first to be destroyed by high blood sugar or inflammation, long before the larger nerves are affected. Recognizing this early is critical for effective neuropathy treatment for feet.

When Balance Becomes an Issue (Fall Prevention)

Peripheral neuropathy steals your proprioception; your brain’s ability to know where your feet are in space without looking at them. If you close your eyes in the shower and feel like you’re going to tip over, that is neuropathy. This loss of balance is a leading cause of falls in seniors in Springfield, MO. Treating the nerves isn’t just about pain relief; it’s about preventing a hip fracture.

Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

While diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the United States, accounting for about 60% of cases, it is far from the only culprit. At Sharlin Health and Neurology, we dig deeper.

Metabolic Factors and Toxins

We live in a toxic world. Heavy metals (like lead or mercury), industrial chemicals, and even chronic alcohol consumption are toxic to nerve tissue. Furthermore, “pre-diabetes” or metabolic syndrome (where your blood sugar is high but not yet in the diabetic range) can destroy small nerve fibers just as aggressively as full-blown diabetes.

Nutrient Deficiencies and Medication Side Effects

Nerves are hungry. They require massive amounts of energy and specific nutrients to maintain their structure. Deficiencies in Vitamin B12, Folate, and Vitamin D are rampant and can mimic or worsen peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, certain medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs used for cancer treatment, are notorious for causing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

The Diagnostic Journey: Going Beyond the Basics

You cannot treat what you haven’t accurately diagnosed. Many patients who come to my clinic in Ozark have had a reflex hammer tapped on their knees and little else. A comprehensive neuropathy treatment for feet plan requires a comprehensive workup.

1. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG)

This is the gold standard for evaluating large nerve fibers. We stimulate the nerves with small electrical impulses to measure how fast and how strong the signal travels. An EMG involves inserting a tiny needle into the muscle to listen to its electrical activity. This tells us if the problem is in the nerve, the muscle, or the connection between them.

2. Skin Punch Biopsy

This is a game-changer for diagnosing Small Fiber Neuropathy. Since standard NCS/EMG only looks at large nerves, they often miss early neuropathy. A skin punch biopsy involves taking a tiny sample of skin (about the size of a pencil tip) from the leg. We look at it under a microscope to actually count the nerve fiber density. It is a definitive way to prove peripheral neuropathy exists even when other tests are normal.

3. Advanced Bloodwork and Genetic Screening

We don’t just check your blood sugar. We run advanced panels to look for:

• Autoimmune markers (Sjogren’s, Lupus, etc.)
• Infections (Lyme disease, Hepatitis C)
• Comprehensive vitamin levels (B1, B6, B12, E, Copper)
• Genetic Screening: In some cases, peripheral neuropathy is hereditary (like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease). Understanding your genetic blueprint helps us predict progression and tailor treatment.

Why Conventional Treatments Often Fail

The conventional medical model is excellent at acute care, but it often struggles with chronic, complex conditions like peripheral neuropathy.

The Limitations of Gabapentin and Lyrica

If you have seen a general practitioner for neuropathy treatment for feet, you likely walked out with a prescription for gabapentin (Neurontin) or pregabalin (Lyrica).

These drugs are anti-seizure medications. They work by dampening the electrical activity in the brain. They are effectively “turning down the volume” on the pain signal. While this can provide necessary temporary relief for some, it does not fix the broken wire. It does not regenerate the nerve. It simply masks the symptom. Furthermore, these drugs often come with side effects like brain fog, dizziness, and weight gain; symptoms that many of my patients find just as debilitating as the pain itself.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Neuropathy Treatment for Feet

So, if masking the pain isn’t enough, what is the alternative?

At Sharlin Health and Neurology, we use a “systems biology” approach. We believe that your body has an innate capacity to heal if the obstacles are removed. Our goal for neuropathy treatment for feet is to stop the damage and support regeneration.

Identify and Investigate: Finding Your Root Cause

Using the diagnostics mentioned above, we pinpoint the “why.” Is it gluten sensitivity triggering an autoimmune attack on your nerves? Is it a hidden B12 deficiency caused by acid reflux medication? Is it mitochondrial failure? We don’t guess; we test.

Restore and Regenerate: The “Brain Tune Up” Protocol

My “Brain Tune Up” protocol isn’t just for memory loss; it applies to the entire nervous system. We focus on:

1. Mitochondrial Support: The mitochondria are the power plants of your cells. Nerves need huge amounts of energy to repair themselves. We use targeted nutraceuticals to rev up these engines.
2. Reducing Oxidative Stress: We use antioxidants to “put out the fire” of inflammation that is scorching your nerves.
3. Gut-Brain Axis: We heal the gut lining to stop systemic inflammation from attacking the peripheral nerves.

Integrative Neuropathy Treatment Options for Feet

A truly holistic approach uses the best of all worlds. We combine lifestyle changes, functional medicine, and advanced therapies.

Conventional Medications (When Necessary)

I am a neurologist, not just a health coach. There is a time and place for medication. If your pain is at a level 10, you cannot sleep, and you cannot function. In these cases, using medications like Gabapentin, Duloxetine, or topical agents can be a compassionate bridge. They allow you to function while the deeper, restorative work takes root. The goal, however, is rarely to stay on them forever, but to use them as a tool while we fix the foundation.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

This is one of the most exciting advancements in neuropathy treatment for feet. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to penetrate the tissues of the feet.

It works through a process called mechanotransduction. The sound waves create micro-trauma (at a cellular level) that stimulates the body’s natural repair mechanisms. This triggers:

• Angiogenesis: The formation of new blood vessels, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the starving nerves.
• Nerve Regeneration: Stimulation of nerve growth factors.
• Pain Reduction: Desensitization of pain receptors.

For many of our patients in Springfield, MO, adding Shockwave therapy to their functional medicine protocol has been the tipping point for recovery.

Lifestyle as Medicine: What You Can Do at Home

You see your doctor for maybe an hour a month. The rest of the time, you are in charge of your health. Your daily choices are the most powerful form of treatment.

Nutrition for Nerve Health

The standard American diet is neurotoxic. To heal peripheral neuropathy, you must reduce inflammation.

• Cut the Sugar: High blood sugar acts like shards of glass in your blood vessels, slicing up the capillaries that feed your nerves.
• Eliminate Gluten: For many, gluten triggers an immune response that attacks nerve tissue.
• Healthy Fats: Your nerves are coated in fat (myelin). You need healthy fats (olive oil, avocados, omega-3s) to rebuild that insulation.

Movement and Circulation

I know it hurts to walk, but sedentary living accelerates nerve death. Gentle movement drives blood flow to the feet. We work with patients to find safe, low-impact activities (like recumbent biking or swimming) that stimulate circulation without trauma.

Finding Expert Care in Springfield, MO

When you are looking for neuropathy treatment for feet, geography matters. You need a team that you can access easily for follow-ups and therapies.

Springfield, MO, and the surrounding Ozarks region is home to hardworking people who value their independence. Whether you are a farmer in Rogersville, a teacher in Nixa, or retired in Branson, you deserve a doctor who understands that losing your mobility is not an option.

At Sharlin Health and Neurology, we are unique in our region. We are one of the few clinics in the Midwest that combines the diagnostic rigor of a board-certified neurologist with the restorative philosophy of functional medicine. We don’t just tell you “what” you have; we partner with you to fix it.

Navigating Insurance and Investment

It is important to be transparent. While traditional diagnostics like EMG and nerve conduction studies are typically covered by insurance, true regenerative care often requires an investment in yourself. Insurance models are built around “sick care” (managing symptoms), not “health care” (reversing disease).

However, consider the cost of not treating the root cause. The cost of falls, lost wages, immobility, and long-term assisted living far outweighs the investment in saving your nerves now.

Start Your Journey to Recovery

Peripheral neuropathy can feel like a slow sentence to a shrinking life. But I want to remind you: your body is designed to heal. Neuroplasticity (the ability of the nervous system to change and adapt) is real. Nerves can regenerate, but they need the right environment to do so.

If you are tired of merely managing your peripheral neuropathy and are ready to treat it, we are here to help.

What to Expect at Sharlin Health

1. A Deep Dive: Your first appointment is not a 15-minute rush. We listen to your full story.
2. Advanced Testing: We schedule the EMG, biopsy, or genetic screening needed to get a clear picture.
3. A Personalized Plan: You receive a roadmap that includes nutrition, lifestyle, and therapies like shockwave therapy.

Don’t let numbness and pain dictate your future. There is effective, advanced neuropathy treatment for feet available right here in Springfield, MO.

Take the first step towards getting back on your feet. Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Sharlin Today.

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References & Further Reading:

• The Sharlin Health “Brain Tune Up” Protocol
• Understanding Small Fiber Neuropathy: A Guide for Patients
• The Role of Shockwave Therapy in Regenerative Medicine