As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving in St. Cloud, it's a time to reflect on what we’re grateful for—family, friends, and health. But for many people with diabetes, the holiday season can be a stark reminder of the health challenges they face. If you or a loved one lives with diabetes, you’ve probably heard of diabetic neuropathy. But what’s really going on here? How exactly does diabetes affect your nerves? Let’s dive in - contact our St Cloud FL chiropractic clinic today to learn more.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Nerves?

High blood sugar doesn’t just affect your energy levels—it can damage the tiny blood vessels that supply nutrients to your nerves. Over time, this damage can lead to neuropathy, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in your hands and feet. Many people describe it as a "pins and needles" sensation that never seems to go away. Unfortunately, this is the daily reality for many individuals living with diabetic neuropathy.

Why Does Neuropathy Develop In St Cloud FL?

When your blood sugar stays elevated for too long, it triggers inflammation in your blood vessels. This inflammation causes the vessels to narrow, restricting blood flow, particularly to the tiny vessels that nourish your nerves. Think of this like a traffic jam—when blood can’t move freely, your nerves don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. Over time, this lack of circulation leads to nerve damage, causing sensations like tingling, numbness, or burning pain. Diabetic Neuropathy doesn’t happen overnight; it builds slowly and silently. That’s why it’s so important to manage your diabetes consistently—by staying on top of your blood sugar levels, you can help prevent long-term nerve damage before symptoms even appear.

Steps to Prevent and Manage Neuropathy This Holiday Season

Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to help prevent or manage neuropathy:

1. Balance Your Blood Sugar: Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is essential for protecting your nerves from damage. Elevated blood sugar causes inflammation and poor circulation, which can harm your nerves over time. While Thanksgiving treats are tempting, enjoying them in moderation and balancing your meal with veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats helps keep your blood sugar stable. Practicing mindful eating consistently can go a long way in safeguarding your nerves from long-term damage.
2. Stay Active: Staying active is a powerful way to boost circulation and support nerve health. Even light exercises, like walking after meals or gentle stretching, enhance blood flow to your extremities, delivering the oxygen and nutrients your nerves need. Better circulation helps prevent nerve damage and keeps your body working at its best. Plus, regular movement helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it incredibly beneficial for managing diabetes.
3. Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic adjustments help optimize nerve function by improving spinal alignment. When the spine is misaligned, it can disrupt how your nervous system communicates, potentially worsening nerve-related symptoms. By gently correcting these misalignments, chiropractic care enhances nerve communication and blood flow, which can alleviate diabetic neuropathy symptoms and promote overall nerve health.

Don’t Wait—Take Control of Your Health!

At Avenue One Health Center, we go beyond symptom management with our R.E.P.A.I.R. Neuropathy Program, a comprehensive framework designed to address the root causes of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in six powerful steps:

• Re-Educate the Nerves: Nerve reeducation retrains your body to use nerves that have been damaged or inactive. By stimulating the nerves, we help rebuild the pathways between your brain and feet, restoring feeling and strength.
• Energize Joint Mobility: Your joints need to be able to move properly in order to support nerve healing. Joint mobilization improves flexibility and reduces stiffness, allowing nerves to regenerate and function as they should.
• Pain Relief Through Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic adjustments remove subluxations, improving nerve communication and function throughout your body. By realigning your spine, we alleviate pressure on your nerves, allowing your body to start healing.
• Architect with Low Laser Light Therapy (LLLT): LLLT is a safe, non-invasive therapy that increases blood flow to the affected areas. By improving circulation, we reduce inflammation and accelerate nerve repair.
• Incorporate Supplementation: The right supplements provide your body with essential nutrients to heal nerve damage. Vitamins like B12 and alpha-lipoic acid help restore nerve function and reduce inflammation.
• Restructure Diet: What you eat has a massive impact on nerve health. By cutting out inflammatory foods and increasing nerve-boosting nutrients, you can actively lower your body’s inflammation and promote healing.

Dr. Ty and Dr. Brittany are here to help you live pain-free this holiday season. Whether you’re already noticing symptoms of diabetic neuropathy or want to prevent it, now is the perfect time to act. Avenue One Health Center’s R.E.P.A.I.R. Program is designed to help you regain control and feel your best. Schedule your appointment today at (407) 498-4052 or visit us online.