Researched Back Treatments For Peripheral Neuropathy In Traverse City MI

Peripheral neuropathy impacts about 20 million Americans, causing debilitating nerve damage in the hands and feet. At Shift Health Center in Traverse City, we understand the all-too-common frustration: conventional care often relies on medications that simply numb the nerves—masking pain rather than solving the problem. Many of these drugs come with unwanted side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or dependency. So, what if there were more effective, holistic approaches? Contact our Traverse City MI chiropractic clinic today to learn more.

Here’s a deeper dive into seven evidence-based treatments for peripheral neuropathy that go beyond masking symptoms, focusing on nerve healing and restoring quality of life.

1. SoftWave® Tissue Regeneration Therapy

What it is: SoftWave therapy uses low-intensity acoustic waves to stimulate tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

How it helps: Studies show it promotes cellular regeneration and improves circulation around damaged nerves—critical for healing in neuropathy.

Evidence: A published pilot in the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research involved 20 patients with peripheral neuropathy treated for six weeks using SoftWave. Results showed significant pain reduction and improved nerve function post-treatment. Additionally, a broader review indicates extracorporeal shock wave therapy supports axonal regeneration, vascularization, and anti-inflammatory effects in injured peripheral nerves.

Why it matters: As part of our three-step Shift Solution (identify, repair, optimize), SoftWave helps jumpstart the Tissue Transformation phase.

2. Red & Infrared Light Therapy

What it is: Non-invasive light therapy using wavelengths (typically 630–850 nm) to boost mitochondrial function in cells.

How it helps: Enhances nerve repair, increases blood flow, reduces oxidative stress, and stimulates nerve growth factors—all beneficial for neuropathy.

Research highlights: A 2017 systematic review noted short-term improvement in tactile sensitivity in diabetic neuropathy with IR therapy, although pain relief findings were mixed. A rodent study showed near-infrared LEDs enhanced nerve regeneration and antioxidant activity in nerve stump fluids. A recent clinical trial using NIR over peripheral nerves reported measurable improvements in nerve conduction amplitude, velocity, and decreased latency

Shift’s angle: Ideal for the tissue repair stage, supporting safer, drug-free nerve recovery.

3. Paleo-Style Diet

What it is: Whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet rich in lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables—no processed grains or added sugars.

How it helps: Chronic inflammation aggravates nerve damage. A Paleo-style diet lowers inflammation, supports blood sugar balance, and helps nerve health.

Evidence: Though direct trials in peripheral neuropathy are limited, an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich Paleo diet has shown benefits in analogous neuro-inflammatory conditions (e.g., ALS pilot). Paleo diets are also recognized for reducing systemic inflammation, a key driver of neuropathy.

Positioning: Diet is key in our lifestyle optimization phase, helping patients maintain long-term nerve health.

4. Medical Nerve Rebuilder (Electrostimulation Therapy)

What it is: Clinically-tested home-use device delivering mild electrical pulses to stimulate and “train” peripheral nerves.

How it helps: Helps reduce pain, improve tactile sensitivity, and restore nerve function—especially when used consistently over weeks.

Supporting studies: A published observational study of ReBuilder devices found them “safe and effective in mitigating pain in peripheral neuropathy” via improved microcirculation and nerve alignment. Patients often report several hours of relief after sessions. Broader reviews confirm that electrical stimulation enhances axon growth and sensorimotor recovery.

Fit with Shift Solution: Excellent during tissue transformation, enhancing nerve regeneration without drugs.

5. Chiropractic BioPhysics® (CBP®)

What it is: A precise, posture-focused chiropractic system aimed at restoring proper spinal alignment.

How it helps: Misalignment can compress nerves, exacerbating peripheral neuropathy. CBP gently corrects posture, alleviating pressure on nerve pathways.

Clinical insight: A six-year follow-up case report showed CBP-style spinal traction and posture correction led to lasting improvements in spinal deformity. Additionally, CBP has been linked to reduced spinal nerve impingement in degenerative scoliosis—a common contributor to lower-limb neuropathy.

Holistic synergy: Complements SoftWave and electrostimulation by removing mechanical barriers to healing.

6. Nutritional Supplements

What’s recommended:

• Vitamin B12 — essential for nerve sheath repair; deficiencies linked to neuropathy
• Vitamin D — supports nerve health and immune balance
• Magnesium — aids nerve transmission and relaxation
• Folate — important for nerve cell DNA upkeep
• Citrulline & Beetroot Powder — boost nitric oxide for improved blood flow

Research support: A double-blind trial (90 Type 2 diabetics on metformin) showed that 1,000 µg/day methylcobalamin (B12) significantly improved neuropathic symptoms over one year. A two-month trial of a combination of folic acid and B12 in 48 patients with entrapment neuropathy led to significant pain reductions and decreased reliance on analgesics.

Broader professional sources also support B vitamins and magnesium for reducing neuropathic pain through correcting deficiencies.

Supplements that increase nitric oxide—such as citrulline and beetroot—are theoretically beneficial by boosting microcirculation, though direct trials in neuropathy are still emerging.

Role in care: These supplements are part of both tissue transformation and lifestyle optimization, filling nutritional gaps that impair nerve recovery.

7. Physical Movement & Targeted Exercise

What it is: A custom exercise plan combining gentle stretching, balance work, and low-impact cardiovascular activity.
How it helps: Increases circulation, improves proprioception, builds strength, and prevents muscle loss—key for neuropathy patients.
Evidence: A meta-analysis of 14 studies (1,094 participants) found that therapeutic exercises significantly improved peripheral neuropathy symptoms and pain thresholds after 8–24 weeks.

In chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a multicenter RCT with 170 patients using moderate-intensity exercise for six weeks reported significant reductions in numbness and burning sensations.

Another RCT specific to ovarian cancer patients found a 6-month aerobic exercise program significantly improved self-reported CIPN symptoms

Shift format: Our rehab exercises are carefully integrated into every stage—from identifying movement limitations to optimizing long-term function.