Frequently Asked Questions

Neuropathy in the feet, often referred to as peripheral neuropathy, is a disease that refers to damage or dysfunction of the nerves in the feet, often causing numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the area. It can result from various conditions, including diabetes, infections, and nerve injuries.

Common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain, burning, tingling, numbness, poor balance, and difficulty walking.  Other symptoms may include muscle weakness, feelings of pebbles in your shoes, and feeling of walking on pins and needles.

Neuropathy Center of Jacksonville's doctor will first perform a comprehensive medical history and exam.  Once the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is established, various blood tests may be prescribed so that any underlying metabolic causes of neuropathy can be improved.  Typically, the appropriate nutritional supplements are recommended to support nerve health and regeneration.  And most importantly, we offer FDA approved Class IV Laser Therapy which typically provides significant improvement in neuropathy symptoms without risk/side effects.  Our doctor may prescribe medications such as Gabapentin or Lyrica, but our goal is to reduce the need/use of prescription medications through the use of laser treatments.

Class IV Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that uses a strong laser to deliver a specific wavelength of light to the affected area. It's used for pain relief, reduction of inflammation, and promoting tissue repair and healing.

Our laser emits photons of energy that safely penetrate the skin and are accepted by damaged nerve cells.  This neuropathy treatment process is known as photobiomodulation.  The photons cause a chemical reaction in the nerve cell that results in decreased reactive oxygen species, increased nitric oxide, and increased ATP production.  Photobiomodulation can lead to vasodilation and improve blood flow in the treated area. This can enhance the supply of oxygen and nutrients to nerve cells, promoting their health and function. Photobiomodulation increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduces the levels of reactive oxygen species.  This helps in protecting nerve cells from oxidative damage, which is a common cause of nerve injury.  Photobiomodulation can modulate the activity of inflammatory cells and reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This can help in reducing inflammation around nerve cells, which is beneficial, especially in conditions like neuropathy.  Photobiomodulation can promote axonal sprouting and nerve regeneration. This is especially beneficial in conditions where nerve damage has occurred, such as in peripheral nerve injuries.  Photobiomodulation can increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in mitochondria. ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell, and an increase in its production can enhance cellular functions and promote cell survival.   

Most patients notice improvement immediately after the first laser session.  A total of 6 laser sessions are performed (2 sessions per week for a total of 3 weeks).  Neuropathy pain, burning, and tingling symptoms usually steadily improve throughout the 3 week treatment period.

Yes!  Our patients with Restless Legs Syndrome have reported good resolution of symptoms from our laser treatments.  Restless Legs Syndrome is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them to relieve the discomfort. These sensations often make it difficult for affected individuals to rest, relax, or sleep.  People with RLS describe these sensations in various ways, including "creepy-crawly," "itching," "pulling," "tugging," or "aching."  Symptoms are more pronounced during inactivity, such as when sitting or lying down.  Movement, like walking or stretching, tends to temporarily relieve the discomfort.  Symptoms usually become more severe in the evening or at night.  Due to the discomfort and urge to move, falling asleep or staying asleep can be challenging.  We have found that our laser treatments, which use photobiomodulation therapy to regenerate sensory nerve health and function, also provides relief from Restless Legs Syndrome, allowing our patients to sleep better.