Footwear And Neuropathy

Today's post from ezinearticles.com (see link below) is written by a chiropractor with his own practice. While, due the issues of impartiality, the policy is to not promote or advertise any single service on this blog, nevertheless, Dr. Cilea has some useful things to say about footwear and neuropathy (a subject frequently brought up by our readers) and he addresses some of their questions in this short article.

With Foot Pain, Can My Shoes Have Caused My Neuropathy?
By Dr. Joseph J Cilea, DO December 2012

Can my shoes have caused my neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition which occurs when the nerves and blood flow are being restricted to a body part. The areas of the body which are most susceptible to neuropathy are the lower extremities, such as the legs and feet.

If left untreated, neuropathy can progress into a very serious situation, eventually resulting in the death of tissue and even, in some cases, amputation of the affected limb if the symptoms are left untreated. That's why individuals who suffer from neuropathy are always looking for ways to ease the symptoms. But since neuropathy often affects the feet, can shoes be the culprit? Unfortunately, no.

What causes neuropathy?

The damage that shows up from the effects of neuropathy can be caused by several factors. The most common cause, by far, is diabetes. When an individual has consistently high blood sugar levels that are not being managed properly, the excess sugar begins to damage and destroy the nerves within the body, starting with the lower extremities first. Neuropathy can also occur when a nerve has become pinched or compressed.

Neuropathy can also be aggravated by an individual carrying too much weight. These excess pounds will place an unnecessary stress on the feet, causing the nerves to become even further compressed.

How shoes affect neuropathy

While shoes cannot completely remedy the effects few neuropathy, they can offer some short-term relief. Numbness, in particular, that is brought on by neuropathy can be somewhat relieved if the individual changes to shoes which are looser and more properly fitted to the foot.

Wearing shoes that are the right size and that provide adequate support for the bottom of the foot can help to minimize the pressure that is being placed on the nerves within the feet. Once this compression is relieved, the nerves can return to receiving the appropriate amount of sensation.

When you should see a doctor?

Although an individual may experience some relief from neuropathy, it is still a very serious condition that deserves to be consistently monitored. Even if changing your shoes out manages to offer you some relief, there is still going to be an underlying cause for the neuropathy that will need to be addressed.

It is important to identify what is causing the neuropathy. Your doctor will need to assess your medical history as well as perform an examination in order to determine if diabetes or some other major medical condition is complicating the matter.

Dr. Joe Cilea, DO, is the founder of Advanced Wellness http://www.advanced-wellness.net, a multi-disciplinary practice dedicated to your good health since 1997.

http://ezinearticles.com/?With-Foot-Pain,-Can-My-Shoes-Have-Caused-My-Neuropathy?&id=7431620