Diabetic Neuropathy Management: How TMS Therapy Works to Ease Peripheral Nerve Pain

Unfortunately, many of those living with diabetes (up to 50%) develop diabetes-related neuropathy. It most commonly affects the feet and legs and is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. 

Peripheral neuropathy can be incredibly painful and impact your quality of life, making it challenging to keep up with your diabetes and health management. 

At RapidRecovery TMS in Wilmington, North Carolina, our team understands how peripheral nerve pain can affect you. So, in this month’s blog, we review what you need to know about this nerve and diabetes-related condition and how we can help manage it. 

How diabetes leads to peripheral neuropathy

When you have diabetes, the continually high blood sugar levels that come with the condition can cause nerve damage and neuropathic (nerve-related) pain. Once those nerves are damaged, they begin to send incorrect pain signals.

Peripheral neuropathy can refer to any nerve damage outside of the spinal cord. However, it most often develops in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. People living with diabetes typically experience peripheral neuropathy in their feet. 

If you develop peripheral neuropathy, it usually takes a while to notice any symptoms. However, you may gradually start to experience some of these symptoms over time:

• Numbness, tingling, and pins and needles sensations
• Burning or stabbing pain
• Muscle weakness
• Slow-healing wounds on your feet and legs
• Extreme sensitivity to touch

You may also start to lose feeling in your feet, which can raise your risk of infected wounds and ulcers on your feet. 

Managing peripheral neuropathy 

Traditional treatment methods for peripheral neuropathy include taking medications to block nerve pain and help you sleep, along with physical therapy to assist with muscle weakness and pain. 

While these management techniques can be helpful, they’re not always the most effective. That’s why our team at RapidRecovery TMS offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for pain relief.