Acupuncture & TCM for

Neuropathy

A Brief Introductory Guide

Understanding the Challenges of Neuropathy and the Benefits of Acupuncture

Neuropathy is a complex and often debilitating condition that results from damage to the peripheral nervous system. It can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, tingling, numbness, burning sensations, and muscle weakness. Neuropathy can significantly impact a person’s quality of life by interfering with their ability to perform daily activities, affecting mobility, and leading to emotional distress. There are various types of neuropathy, including diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy related to autoimmune conditions, infections, or injuries. The treatment and management of neuropathy can be challenging, but acupuncture, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers a natural, holistic approach to alleviating symptoms and promoting nerve health.

The Wellspring Integrative Approach

Women’s Health during all stages of conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery is our specialty here at Wellspring Health.

It takes a village to raise a child, but before that, it takes a team to make a baby. You can’t do it alone and we at Wellspring Health are privileged to be a member of your team. Wellspring Health uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine) and Conventional medicine in an integrative approach. This combination can enhance treatment outcomes, manage the side effects of conventional treatments (like chemotherapy), and provide additional support for chronic or complex conditions. We love science and we love working with conventional medical Doctors. This approach combines the strengths of both systems, offering a broader range of treatment options and emphasizing the prevention of disease as well as the treatment of existing conditions.

Reproductive Endocrinologists & Gynecologist Support During Fertility & Pregnancy: We enjoy collaborating with physicians and have extensive experience working with a large network of specialists in Manhattan. We can provide recommendations and referrals for every stage of the fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journey.

Doula Support: We frequently work with doulas throughout all stages of pregnancy and delivery, providing integrated care and support to enhance the birthing experience.

Below is a comprehensive introductory guide to how Wellspring & TCM can support you throughout every stage of your journey. Feel free to jump to any specific section that best suits your needs.

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Challenges Associated with Neuropathy

  1. Chronic Pain and Discomfort: Neuropathy often causes chronic pain that can range from mild to severe. The pain may be described as sharp, burning, or shooting and can occur in the hands, feet, legs, or other areas affected by nerve damage. This chronic pain can interfere with a person’s ability to move comfortably, making it difficult to walk, exercise, or perform everyday tasks. The ongoing pain and discomfort can also lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and reduced quality of life.

  2. Numbness and Loss of Sensation: Neuropathy can cause numbness or a loss of sensation in the affected areas, particularly in the extremities. This numbness can make it difficult to detect temperature changes, injuries, or pressure, increasing the risk of accidents, burns, or wounds that go unnoticed. For individuals with diabetic neuropathy, this loss of sensation is particularly concerning, as it can lead to severe complications such as foot ulcers or infections.

  3. Muscle Weakness and Impaired Mobility: Nerve damage associated with neuropathy can affect muscle strength and control, leading to muscle weakness, cramping, or loss of coordination. This can impair mobility and balance, making walking or standing difficult and increasing the risk of falls. The loss of muscle function can also contribute to physical deconditioning and reduced overall physical fitness, further complicating the management of the condition.

  4. Emotional and Psychological Impact: Neuropathy can have a significant emotional and psychological impact. Chronic pain, loss of function, and limitations in daily activities can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression. The constant discomfort and concern about worsening symptoms can increase stress levels and reduce a person’s ability to engage in social and recreational activities, contributing to isolation and a diminished sense of well-being.

  5. Limited Treatment Options and Side Effects: Conventional treatments for neuropathy often include medications such as pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, or antidepressants. While these medications can help manage symptoms, they may not address the underlying cause of nerve damage and often come with side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or gastrointestinal issues. Some individuals may also find these treatments ineffective or develop tolerance over time, leading to inadequate symptom control.

From Our Fertility Clients

"I worked with Kirsten over the course of a couple of years and found her to be incredibly talented, knowledgeable and kind.  Her office space has the same feeling of warmth and serenity that Kirsten herself embodies.  She has a lot of experience working with women through various stages of their fertility journeys, and I think my time with her contributed to a successful IVF cycle and pregnancy."

-Emily H.

"Thanks to Kirsten's care, my fertility treatment was stress-free and went successful. The office is very conveniently located right off Union Square, but the setting is very tranquil and clean. Scheduling was easy and the office was quick to respond to my calls. Overall, highly recommend!"

-Tomo O.

“My Wife and I came here for fertility-related treatments. It was a 5 star experience! The clinic was spotless and the Kirsten is knowledgeable. We were delighted with the results and we would definitely recommend this clinic to others.”

-Travis W.

“I have been a patient of Kirsten's for four years and have nothing but wonderful things to say, and attribute to her and her practice. Not only has Kirsten helped combat the occasional headache or cold, but she has also helped me bring two healthy beautiful children into this world via fertility treatments, and labor preparation. Kirsten is attentive, calming, kind, and knowledgeable. She has also given many tips for my children when they've had colds, car sickness, etc. that we swear by! I have recommended Kirsten to countless friends + family members. This is the place to go for acupuncture treatments.”

- Raffkin B.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Neuropathy

Acupuncture, a therapy that involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body, offers a natural and holistic approach to managing neuropathy symptoms. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, acupuncture helps restore the body’s balance, promote healing, and alleviate pain. Here’s how acupuncture can support individuals with neuropathy:

  1. Alleviates Pain and Discomfort: Acupuncture is highly effective in reducing neuropathic pain by stimulating the release of endorphins—the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals. It can also influence the nervous system by regulating the release of neurotransmitters, which help modulate pain signals. By targeting specific points along affected nerve pathways, acupuncture can help alleviate pain and reduce sensations of burning, tingling, or numbness.

  2. Improves Blood Flow and Nerve Health: Acupuncture promotes healthy blood circulation, which is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to damaged nerves. Improved blood flow supports the healing and regeneration of nerve tissue, helping to reduce the severity of neuropathy symptoms. For individuals with diabetic neuropathy, enhancing circulation to the extremities can also help prevent complications such as foot ulcers or infections.

  3. Reduces Inflammation and Supports Immune Function: Inflammation is a key factor in many forms of neuropathy, particularly those associated with autoimmune conditions or chronic diseases. Acupuncture helps reduce systemic inflammation by modulating the immune response and promoting the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. This can alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and support nerve health.

  4. Enhances Muscle Strength and Mobility: Acupuncture can support muscle function and improve strength by promoting blood flow and stimulating nerve activity. This can help reduce muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms associated with neuropathy. Acupuncture also helps relax tense muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance coordination, making it easier to maintain mobility and balance.

  5. Supports Emotional Well-Being and Reduces Stress: Chronic pain and physical limitations can take a toll on emotional health. Acupuncture has a calming effect on the nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety and depression. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, acupuncture helps lower cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone) and enhances the production of serotonin and endorphins, which improve mood and emotional resilience.

  6. Complements Conventional Treatments: Acupuncture can be safely integrated with conventional treatments to enhance their effectiveness and reduce side effects. For example, it can be used alongside medications to provide additional pain relief or support the body’s response to physical therapy. This complementary approach can lead to more comprehensive symptom management and better overall outcomes for individuals with neuropathy.

Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum We Treat With TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic and individualized approach to supporting women’s health through all stages of fertility, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum recovery. By addressing imbalances in the body and promoting harmony between the physical and emotional aspects of health, TCM can enhance reproductive health, support a healthy pregnancy, and aid in postpartum healing. With its long history and integrative methods, TCM continues to be a valuable option for women seeking a natural and comprehensive approach to wellness and maternal care.

  • Female Infertility: Improving ovarian function and egg quality, balancing hormones, supporting Uterine Health, blood flow, nervous system, emotional support, and stress management.

  • Stress Management, Nervous System Supports & Pregnancy: Regulate stress response, stimulate endorphins, balance cortisol, sleep, muscle tension, pain relief, emotional support, a place to relax, let go and get some care.

  • IVF/IUI: Support pre- and post-embryo transfer, reducing IVF-related stress and anxiety, and managing hormonal fluctuations during IUI/IVF.

  • Egg Freezing: Optimizing ovarian reserve, preparing the body for egg retrieval, managing side effects of hormonal stimulation, and post-egg retrieval recovery.

  • Pain & Pregnancy: Relieving back pain, pelvic pain, sciatic and joint pain.

  • Labor Prep, Delivery & Induction: Promote cervical ripening and softening, supporting natural and assisted labor induction, pain relief, and breech babies.

  • Prenatal & Trimester Support: Nausea and fatigue, fetal development support, breech presentation and positioning, insomnia and stress.

  • Post Partaum: Emotional supports balancing hormones, stress response, lactation support, activating parasympathetic nervous system to encourage relaxation.

  • Lactation: Enhancing milk supply and flow, addressing blocked milk ducts and mastitis, balancing hormones, reducing stress, and improving milk quality.

  • Recurrent Miscarriage: Strengthening uterine health, immunological factors, managing stress and anxiety.

  • Male Infertility: Improving sperm quality and motility, varicocele, hormone, and libido imbalance.

Parting Thoughts:

Neuropathy presents a range of physical and emotional challenges that can significantly impact quality of life. The pain, numbness, and loss of function associated with this condition can be difficult to manage with conventional treatments alone. Acupuncture offers a holistic, non-invasive approach to managing neuropathy by alleviating pain, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and supporting emotional well-being. As a complementary therapy, acupuncture can enhance the body’s natural healing processes, promote nerve health, and improve overall quality of life for individuals living with neuropathy. Through its multifaceted benefits, acupuncture provides a valuable option for managing the complexities of neuropathy in a safe and effective manner.

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