Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Neuropathy, a chronic and often debilitating condition affecting the nerves, can drastically change a patient’s quality of life. This is the case for Darren Hall, a patient under the care of Dr. Kenneth Carle, Darren’s story reflects the profound impact that neuropathy can have on an individual’s physical abilities and mental health, but it also showcases the potential for recovery with advanced treatments.
Darren’s journey with neuropathy began in 2011, when the condition forced him to stop working as an HVAC contractor and stop driving. The loss of independence, combined with the constant pain, led to deep depression, culminating in two suicide attempts. For years, Darren relied on a walker and became progressively dependent on others. However, thanks to the comprehensive treatment plan offered by Dr. Carle, Darren’s life is beginning to change.
The Role of Advanced Neuropathy Treatments
At Renewed Life Wellness Center, Darren has undergone a multi-faceted treatment plan designed to repair damaged nerves, improve circulation, and halt the progression of neuropathy. A combination of home devices and in-office therapies has been pivotal in his recovery.
At home, Darren uses three FDA-approved devices:
1. Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device – This helps regenerate and repair damaged nerves.
2. Low-Level Light Therapy – This device enhances circulation, allowing blood to flow more freely to the extremities.
3. Vibration Plate – By increasing circulation, this device stimulates nerve function and promotes healing.
In addition to these home therapies, Darren applies specific creams and takes supplements daily, targeting inflammation and nerve health. While these tools have been critical in his day-to-day improvement, in-office treatments have accelerated his recovery significantly.
In-Office Treatments: Acoustic Wave Therapy
The cornerstone of in-office treatment at Renewed Life Wellness Center is Acoustic Wave Therapy. This therapy addresses one of the primary causes of nerve damage in neuropathy: scar tissue. Over time, scar tissue builds up around damaged nerves, constricting them and worsening symptoms. Acoustic Wave Therapy works to break up this scar tissue, allowing healthy tissue to replace it. This process not only helps to stop the progression of neuropathy but can also reverse some of the symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning, and pain.
For Darren, who had been unable to feel his feet for years, the ability to break up this scar tissue has been life changing. After just a few months of treatment, Darren took a major step forward in his recovery: he drove a car for the first time in 13 years. While it was a short, cautious drive around his neighborhood, it represented a significant milestone.
Understanding Neuropathy and Its Progression
Neuropathy is a progressive, degenerative disease that worsens over time without intervention. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
• Diabetes 50% of diabetics develop neuropathy
• Injury or trauma to the nerves, especially the lower back
• Medications like statins cause neuropathy
• Heredity
• Toxins or chemotherapy
The progression of neuropathy is divided into four stages, with stage four being the most severe. At this stage, the damage is often too advanced to be reversed. As Dr. Carle explains, stage four neuropathy is like “a house on fire that can’t be extinguished.” However, patients in earlier stages still have the potential for significant recovery.
At Renewed Life Wellness Center, a comprehensive 24-test evaluation is conducted to determine the stage of neuropathy each patient is in. These tests measure sensitivity to hot and cold, sharp and dull, vibration, and touch. In addition, thermography—a heat map of the body—is used to visualize circulation and identify areas of impairment.
The Limitations of Traditional Neuropathy Treatments
In conventional medicine, neuropathy is often managed with medications like gabapentin, Lyrica, or Neurontin. While these medications can help mask the pain, they do not address the underlying cause of the nerve damage. Moreover, these medications can come with side effects, one of the most common being memory loss. This makes it difficult for many patients to adhere to a long-term medication regimen, especially when the drugs do little to stop the progression of the disease.
A Path to Recovery
For patients like Darren Hall, who are committed to following through with the treatment protocol, there is hope. Dr. Carle’s approach not only aims to stop the progression of neuropathy but also focuses on reversing its symptoms.
Darren’s story is a testament to the power of combining cutting-edge therapies and patient dedication. With the support of Dr. Carle and his team, Darren has gone from relying on a walker to using just a cane, and now he’s driving again—something that seemed impossible for more than a decade.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in their extremities, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider. Dr. Kenneth Carle and the team at Renewed Life Wellness Center is ready to help.
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