Peripheral Neuropathy Upcoming Seminar

Issue 45.12

Peripheral Neuropathy often causes numbness, tingling, burning or sharp pains in your hands and/or feet.  Some people describe a feeling like wearing gloves or stockings even when they are not.  Other symptoms may include painful cramps, uncontrolled muscle twitching, weakness, & problems with maintaining balance.  There are also more general degenerative changes possible which can result in muscle loss, bone degeneration, and changes to the skin, hair & nails.  In extreme cases, skin can become so hypersensitive that patients suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy are unable to bear anything touching their skin.   With time it has the potential to develop into an extremely debilitating illness & sufferers can become housebound.

Peripheral Neuropathy is defined as damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system which may be caused by diseases of or trauma to the nerves.  This type of neuropathy may also be the side effect of a systemic illness.  Damage to the nerves can be a result of traumatic injuries, infections, or exposure to toxins.  One of the most common causes of this type of nerve damage is often diabetes.  Other medical problems that can cause neuropathy are chronic kidney disease, poor blood flow to the legs, thyroid gland problems, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.  In some circumstances, it is very frustrating because no cause can be determined, or it may simply be inherited.

Rick Johnson, physical therapist & owner of Advanced Physical Therapy here in St. George felt helpless watching his father struggle with Peripheral Neuropathy for years, only to later discover that he himself had inherited the disease.  Rick became increasingly aware that this disease was not receiving a lot of attention and the widespread nature of the disease had mostly gone unnoticed.  After many years of research, Rick has discovered a new approach to the treatment of Neuropathy. 

Advanced Physical Therapy will be conducting a free comprehensive Seminar with more information about the causes & treatments of Peripheral Neuropathy. 

This Seminar will be held at the BeeHive Cottages Community Center at 2041 S. Mesa Palms Drive (off Tonaquint Drive) on Tuesday — November 13^th at 630PM.  Light refreshments will be served.  Seating at this seminar is limited – please call 773-7966 for reservations and directions.