Neuropathies – Polyneuritis and other Polyneuropathies
How neuropathies can affect your life
Neuropathy refers to damage to nerves in different parts of the body. There are four types:
- Peripheral neuropathy: affects nerves in the extremities and can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
- Proximal neuropathy: affects nerves in the thighs, hips, or buttocks.
- Focal neuropathy: affects specific nerves, often causing sudden weakness or pain.
- Autonomic neuropathy: affects nerves controlling involuntary functions like digestion or heart rate.
When a part of the body has difficulty moving and becomes weak, typically other parts take over and do more work than they should. This leads to an imbalance, which needs to be corrected so that the weak muscles can regain their strength, in order to achieve the best possible recovery.
Supporting you to manage your neuropathy
As with all movement and altered sensation after nerve damage, we strive to find the most appropriate treatment for you. Gentle stretching to prevent muscles contracting is helpful, and movement will relieve stiffness and may help with immobility-related pain.
What to expect from heads up
- First assessment
We will take time to listen to how your condition has impacted your life, what difficulties you are experiencing and discuss what is important to you to focus on.
We will assess how you are affected physically and emotionally and support you to formulate short- and long-term goals to work on.
We will take time to explain what we are doing and to answer any questions you may have about your situation.
We will provide some initial advice, treatment and guidance with exercises to carry out at home.
We will discuss what your treatment plan may look like and offer treatment sessions that will suit your needs.
- Treatment plan
Assessment is ongoing throughout the treatment process as your ability changes and progress is made.
Treatment may consist of stretches; building muscle strength and co-ordination; carrying out functional tasks; improving balance control and re-educating your walking pattern as required. It is led by your needs and wants but the therapist will evaluate the best treatment methods to achieve your goals. Your home exercise programme will be updated and reviewed regularly.
After discussion, we may liaise with your GP or consultant about your medication and medical management. We may signpost you to organisations that can support you and/or refer you to other health professionals.
There will be regular opportunity to discuss your progress and your changing needs.