Needle in the Haystack: A New Hope for Neuropathy

By Yajen Tan

Acupuncture often gets a lot of bad reputation in the Western world. Even I myself have had huge doubts of how sticking a bunch of needles in my body would make any sort of change in my physical condition. In order to learn more about acupuncture and its medicinal properties, I sat down this weekend with Dr. Chen, from Chen’s Acupuncture and Wellness Center of Pasadena, to talk about the application of acupuncture on peripheral neuropathy.

Dr. Chen, Acupuncturist – Photo by Yajen Tan

Types of neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is actually a quite common condition that is caused by damaged peripheral nerves. These damaged nerves send signals to the body, which often causes symptoms such as burning sensations, cramping, numbness, and in more severe cases, the sensation of walking on pins and needles.

The 3 types of peripheral neuropathy that Dr. Chen often see stems from type 2 diabetes, chemotherapy, and spinal disc damage. Although all 3 cases of peripheral neuropathy come from different causes, Dr. Chen sees acupuncture as a key role in the mitigation, or even reversal, of the condition. As Western medicine focuses greatly on handling the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, Dr. Chen emphasizes the importance of directly addressing the root cause. But how does acupuncture help?

A new hope

When it comes to neuropathy, damaged micro blood vessels can be one of the reasons why symptoms arise. That’s where acupuncture comes into play. With over 3000 years of medical application, the goal of acupuncture is to both open up blood flow to particular regions of the body, and also to reestablish balance in the body’s meridian system. The meridian system is found in traditional Chinese medicine and refers to the life flow of our bodies. It just so happens that acupuncture is a working method of adjusting and balance out this system.

Now that we’re just starting to see the benefits of acupuncture in the Western world, Dr. Chen hopes that more people will be willing to consider consulting an acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist before they resort to extreme medicines or surgeries that can have profound side effects on the body. His goal is to help as many people regain a healthy body with as few side effects as possible. Dr. Chen notes that while acupuncture does an incredible job in increasing the nitric oxide and improving the blood flow in our bodies, it should not be considered as an instantaneous fix, but rather a rehabilitation process that thrives on commitment.

Yajen Tan is the founder of local fitness and nutrition brand Gimme Fit, which focuses on helping men and women jump start their way into healthy, sustainable lifestyles. To keep up with the latest updates in the health and fitness world, check out our blog.