Comprehensive Care for Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that can be difficult to treat using oral medications alone. By addressing both the neuropathy and the underlying diabetes, patients experience better overall outcomes.

“The standard treatment for diabetic neuropathy involves medication management using either Neurontin [gabapentin], Lyrica [pregabalin] or Cymbalta [duloxetine],” says Kelly Miller, D.C., FASA, N.M.D., Clinical Director of Waldo Rehabilitation, Health and Wellness in Kansas City, MO. “However, statistically, those medications are only helpful for about 30% of patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy — and they are expensive drugs with many side effects.”

At Waldo Rehabilitation, Health and Wellness, treatment for diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes involves management of the patient’s disease through specialized nutritional services meant to help patients lose weight. This diet helps correct the metabolic syndrome.

“If patients’ blood sugar levels are unstable, their risk for developing other complications, such as retinopathy, kidney failure and nerve damage, is much higher,” says Dr. Miller. “We provide patients with type 2 diabetes education about their diabetes and the options available to help better manage their insulin resistance through lifestyle modifications. We have medical doctors, podiatrists, chiropractors and physical therapists on staff — all under one roof. This cooperative integration of the different disciplines allows us to treat chronic conditions, such as diabetes, in a comprehensive manner that can be challenging for a single provider.”

Diabetic Neuropathy Management
When patients present at Waldo Rehabilitation, Health and Wellness with diabetic neuropathy, a specific regimen of injections is utilized. Immediately following these injections, which are administered by a podiatrist, patients receive electrotherapy and infrared light therapy surrounding the injection site, which helps to not only anesthetize the fibers causing pain, but also increases circulation in the patient’s foot by 3,000%, according to Dr. Miller.

“By administering electrotherapy immediately after the injections have been completed, the medication is able to provide pain relief while also alleviating the numbness patients experience,” says Dr. Miller. “Improved sensory perception of the feet puts patients at decreased risk for wounds, infections and falls, which not only improves their overall well-being, but also reduces the amount of health care dollars spent on wound care. By taking a proactive approach to diabetes and diabetic neuropathy, we are able to reduce the number of patients who suffer from diabetic foot wounds, falls and other related health problems.”

For diabetic patients experiencing other health concerns, such as pain in their hips, knees and shoulders, physical therapy and chiropractic services are provided. Transdermal nutritional formulas are also used for diabetic neuropathy patients to help reverse any nerve damage that has been sustained and help them sleep.

“By utilizing a comprehensive approach that entails stabilizing blood sugar levels, correcting type 2 diabetes and applying specific nutrients — including B vitamins, melatonin, vitamin D and magnesium — patients have better outcomes for diabetic neuropathy,” says Dr. Miller. “In many cases, we can reverse nerve damage that has been sustained, which provides a much higher quality of life for patients.”