PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND MASSAGE

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system within the body. The peripheral nervous system, or PNS, consists of all of the nerves outside of the brain and the spinal cord. Although the Peripheral Nervous System is most of the nerves throughout the body, peripheral neuropathy is mostly located within the hands and the feet although it is important to note that it can happen sometimes in other parts of the body. 

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
Like many conditions, there is a variety of different causes, and peripheral neuropathy is no different. According to Mayo Clinic, it is most commonly caused by traumatic injury and pressure put on the nerves, such as a car accident or a sports accident, and

autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Some other conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy, alcoholism, bone marrow disorders, tumors, inherited disorders, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, diabetes, and some medications. Even though these can possibly cause peripheral neuropathy, they do not always cause this condition. 

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
It is hard to determine exactly what symptoms will come from peripheral neuropathy because of how many different nerves this condition can affect. There are three different kinds of nerves that can be affected by peripheral neuropathy- sensory, motor, and autonomic. Sensory nerves receive sensation, like temperature, pain, vibration or touch, from the skin. Motor nerves are in control of movement. The last type of nerves are autonomic. Autonomic

nerves are in charge of managing basic functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and the bladder. These three different types of nerves can cause an array of symptoms from pain to tingling to loss of movement in some parts of the body. Other symptoms can include extreme sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination, bowel or bladder problems, changes with blood pressure, and heat intolerance. 

How Can Massage Help With Peripheral Neuropathy?
It is still being researched, but there are many studies that point to these benefits from massage in helping to deal with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, according to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.

• Help with low back pain and range of motion issues throughout the body
• Lessen anxiety and depression that is caused or worsened by the condition
• Helping to build up immunity, which can be affected by peripheral neuropathy 
• Reducing the feeling of nerve pain throughout the body
• Helping to reduce the sensitivity to touch
• Managing the changing of blood pressure throughout the body

Although massage cannot cure peripheral neuropathy, it can help to reduce the symptoms. Many doctors recommend massage as a complimentary treatment, but it is important to talk to your doctor before beginning any complimentary treatment for your neuropathy.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

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HEAT ILLNESS

Summer is such an exciting time. The air is warmer, the sun is shining, and it is time to have fun! Even with all the great things about summer, there are bad things, too, like heat illness. Heat illness is very common every wear throughout the hot, summer months and knowing about them and how to manage them can help to save you or another person's life one day. One of the best preventions of
heat illness is to drink plenty of water when in the heat for prolonged times. Even if you are not exercising just being in heat can cause heat illness. 

There are three stages of heat illnesses that everyone should know about and how to manage them.

• Heat Cramps- Heat cramps are caused by fluid and electrolyte loss. Most of the time, heavy exercise in a hot place is the way that you can get them, but even things like going to a theme park in the heat can cause heat cramps. They are characterized by muscle spasms throughout the body. They are most commonly located in the calves, arms, abdominal wall, and back. However, they can be located in any muscle group that is used in exercise. Although this condition is not life threatening, it is very uncomfortable and can lead to more serious conditions if not taken care of. If you think that you are experiencing heat cramps, the first thing that you need to do is to rest and try to lower your internal body temperature, according to Mayo Clinic. Next drink clear juice and/or electrolyte-filled sports drink. This will help o replenish your lost electrolytes that are causing the cramps. Finally, do some light stretching and range of motion exercises to try and reduce the severity of the cramping throughout the body. Make sure that you do not resume exercise for several hours or longer as the cramps may come back. 

• Heat Exhaustion- Heat exhaustion is caused by high temperatures and dehydration. Heat exhaustion is extremely common but is not something that should be taken lightly. Heat exhaustion can turn deadly if not taken care of in a timely manner, according to WebMD. You can get heat exhaustion from exercising, going to theme parks, going to the beach, going to concerts, and anything where you are around high temperatures and are not drinking enough water. There are two types of heat exhaustion- water depletion and salt depletion. Water depletion can cause symptoms, such as excessive thirst, weakness, headaches, passing out, fatigue, and pale skin. Salt depletion can cause symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, dark colored urine, and profuse sweating. If you or someone you know is having symptoms if heat exhaustion, the first step is to get out of the heat and rest. After that, you can try drinking lots of water, taking off any unnecessary clothing, applying cold compresses, and taking cold baths or showers. The point of these step is to try and lower your core body temperature and get rehydrated. 

• Heat Stroke- The worst of all of the heat illnesses is heat stroke. Heat stroke is caused by extreme dehydration and hyperthermia, where the core body temperature is raised to dangerously high levels. Medicine Net explains that heat stroke is a medical emergency, so if someone is suspected of having a heat stroke, 911 needs to be called immediately. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, agitation, disorientation, the absence of sweat even if extreme heat, passing out, and coma. Heat stroke is most common in the elderly, infants, and outside workers, but anyone can fall victim to a heat stroke. After calling 911, try to cool the person down through removing clothing, getting them into cooler conditions, spraying or wetting them with water, putting ice packs under their arm pits and groin, and getting them to drink plenty of water if they are conscious and able to drink. Heat stroke, if left untreated, can cause serious medical problems, like brain damage, seizures, and death. 

It is important that everyone knows the differences between these three heat illnesses! Knowing this and hot to treat them can help to save someone's life one day. 

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.