Neuropathy Treatment
Neuropathy? Ease the Burn.
Acupuncture targets neuropathic discomfort with treatment focused on easier rest and daily activity.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Winke, DACM · Last reviewed
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves — the network that carries messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. When these nerves are affected, they can misfire, under-fire, or send pain signals with no clear cause, which is why symptoms so often feel strange and hard to describe.
Diabetes, chemotherapy, vitamin deficiencies, nerve compression and other conditions can produce different neuropathy patterns. Treatment is shaped by the cause and symptom pattern, while sensation and nerve conduction are evaluated separately from symptom relief.
Personalized acupuncture treatment for peripheral neuropathy focuses on easing burning, tingling, numbness, and nighttime discomfort so daily movement feels more manageable. Treatment is tailored to the diagnosed cause, the distribution of symptoms, and the hand or foot tasks you want to keep doing. Sessions also keep sleep, balance, and foot safety in view.
Burning, tingling and numbness can arise from different types of peripheral nerve injury. At Acupuncture Xperts in Boca Raton, treatment is shaped by the cause, symptom pattern, and daily activities you want to improve.
Diabetes, chemotherapy, vitamin deficiencies, nerve compression, and other conditions can produce different neuropathy patterns. The treatment focus follows the cause and symptom pattern, while sensation and nerve conduction are evaluated separately from symptom relief.
How acupuncture helps Peripheral Neuropathy
- Reducing nighttime discomfort
- Easing burning, tingling, and neuropathic pain
- Making daily activity more comfortable
Symptoms
- Burning or hot sensations in the feet or hands
- Tingling or "pins and needles"
- Numbness or reduced feeling
- Sharp, stabbing, or electric-shock pains
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- A feeling of wearing invisible socks or gloves
- Muscle weakness in the feet or hands
- Balance problems or unsteadiness when walking
- Symptoms that worsen at night
- Cramping or a heavy feeling in the legs
- Difficulty sensing hot, cold, or foot injuries
Risk Factors
- Diabetes or prediabetes
- Past or current chemotherapy
- Older age
- Vitamin B12 or other nutritional deficiency
- Heavy or long-term alcohol use
- Kidney or thyroid disease
- Peripheral vascular (circulation) problems
- Repetitive-stress or compression injuries
- Family history of neuropathy
- Certain autoimmune or infectious conditions
When to Seek Professional Care
- Burning, tingling, or numbness that persists or spreads
- Symptoms that increasingly disrupt sleep
- New or worsening weakness in the hands or feet
- Balance problems or a recent fall
- A foot wound, blister, or sore that is slow to heal
- Symptoms interfering with daily activities and walking
- Neuropathy alongside diabetes or other chronic conditions
Common Causes
Diabetes
Chronically elevated blood sugar is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy, gradually damaging the small nerves of the feet and legs.
Chemotherapy and Certain Medications
Some cancer treatments and other medications are neurotoxic and can trigger burning, tingling, or numbness, often in a symmetric pattern in the hands and feet. If you're managing other effects of cancer treatment, see acupuncture for chemotherapy side effects.
Nerve Compression or Injury
Pressure on a nerve from trauma, repetitive stress, or a narrowed passageway (such as carpal tunnel) can disrupt normal nerve signaling.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Low levels of vitamin B12 and other nutrients important to nerve health can contribute to neuropathic symptoms over time.
Circulatory and Metabolic Conditions
Reduced blood flow, thyroid imbalance, and other metabolic disorders can starve nerves of what they need to function normally.
Idiopathic and Age-Related Changes
In many older adults no single cause is found, and nerve changes that come with aging are believed to play a role.
How We Help
Depending on your evaluation, your plan may draw on one or more of the following therapies, often beginning with Acupuncture or Electro-Acupuncture.
Personalized acupuncture treatment for peripheral neuropathy focuses on easing nighttime discomfort, burning, tingling, and limits on daily activity. Treatment is tailored to the diagnosed cause and symptom pattern, with foot protection and balance safety included in the plan.
Adds a gentle current to selected needles to ease burning, tingling and nerve pain. Because neuropathy can reduce sensation, the setting starts low and we check in with you throughout. Tell us first if you have a pacemaker.
Learn more →Acupuncture Xperts is located in Boca Raton, serving patients from nearby communities including Delray Beach and Deerfield Beach.
What the Research Says
Selected research and clinical references for peripheral neuropathy, with findings and links to the original publications.
Systematic Review
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This review found possible benefit in some neuropathy populations, but diagnoses, methods and controls differed. Evidence was insufficient for idiopathic neuropathy. Better sham-controlled studies are needed, and results should not be interpreted as proof of nerve regeneration.
Dimitrova A, Murchison C, Oken B. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2017;23(3):164-179. View on PubMed →
Randomized Trial
Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Procedure on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial
A 75-person pilot found pain improvement compared with usual care in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The study was too small to determine a specific difference from sham confidently, and follow-up was short. It does not establish benefit for every neuropathy cause.
Bao T, Patil S, Chen C, et al. Effect of Acupuncture vs Sham Procedure on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(3):e200681. View on PubMed →
Randomized Trial
Acupuncture in diabetic peripheral neuropathy-neurological outcomes of the randomized acupuncture in diabetic peripheral neuropathy trial
A 62-person diabetic neuropathy trial reported improvements in several symptom measures compared with a waiting list. Nerve-conduction testing showed no meaningful change. The absence of a sham comparison limits attribution of benefit to needling itself.
Hoerder S, Habermann IV, Hahn K, et al. Acupuncture in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy — Neurological Outcomes of the Randomized ACUDPN Trial. World J Diabetes. 2023;14(12):1813-1823. View on PubMed →
Study populations, comparison treatments and techniques matter. The references describe research or medical guidance; they do not guarantee an individual result or replace your existing care.
These summaries are educational and describe published research; they are not a guarantee of individual results.
What to Expect
We focus on conservative, non-surgical, whole-person care aimed at addressing root contributors rather than only masking symptoms.
- 1
Initial Consultation
Care begins with a thorough conversation about your health history, lifestyle, and specific goals for addressing your peripheral neuropathy.
- 2
Evaluation
We assess the underlying contributors — movement, posture, muscular patterns, and overall wellness — to understand what may be driving your symptoms.
- 3
Personalized Treatment
Based on your evaluation, we build a customized plan that may combine several complementary therapies suited to your individual needs.
- 4
Supporting Recovery
Beyond in-office care, we offer guidance on movement, ergonomics, and lifestyle adjustments to help support lasting results.
Start here
New Patient Visit · 75 minutes · $178
Includes a detailed medical history review, Chinese medicine assessment, physical and orthopedic exam, personalized care plan, and treatment with electro-acupuncture, cupping, PEMF and infrared light therapy.
Book Your First VisitPractical Self-Care
These options support everyday management of peripheral neuropathy. Choose those that fit your diagnosis, current symptoms and existing care plan; not every item is appropriate for every person.
Practical Self-Care
Check the skin of your feet
How much: Use when relevant; follow your individual care plan
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- Look over the soles, between the toes and inside your shoes each day.
- Use a mirror or ask for help if needed.
- Seek care for a new wound, redness or drainage.
Practical Self-Care
Protect reduced sensation
How much: Use when relevant; follow your individual care plan
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- Wear comfortable protective footwear and check for pressure spots.
- Avoid walking barefoot or using heating pads on numb areas.
- Do not rely on sensation alone to judge temperature.
Practical Self-Care
Try seated ankle movement
How much: Use when relevant; follow your individual care plan
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- Sit in a stable chair with feet supported.
- Gently move the ankles up and down through a comfortable range.
- Stop for new pain or cramping; this is movement practice, not a nerve-repair exercise.
Practical Self-Care
Reduce trip hazards
How much: Use when relevant; follow your individual care plan
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- Clear loose rugs and cords from walking paths and use night lighting.
- Keep any prescribed walking aid within reach.
- Ask about balance rehabilitation after a fall or near-fall.
Practical Self-Care
Keep a symptom and medication record
How much: Use when relevant; follow your individual care plan
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- Record burning, numbness, sleep disruption and new medicines.
- Take the record to the clinician managing the cause.
- Do not change diabetes treatment or supplements based on symptoms alone.
Stop any exercise that sharply increases pain, or causes numbness, tingling, or pain radiating into a limb, and consult a qualified provider. These general examples are educational and do not replace an individual evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Acupuncture is used to ease burning, tingling and nerve pain, calm nighttime discomfort, and make daily activity more comfortable. It works alongside the care you get from your physician.
It depends on the cause of your neuropathy, how long you've had symptoms and how you respond. Dr. Winke will recommend a plan after your evaluation, and we review your symptoms, daily function and any unwanted effects across visits to decide whether continuing makes sense.
Your plan is shaped by the diagnosed cause and your symptom pattern. With diabetic neuropathy, foot checks, footwear and your diabetes care plan stay central. If you're in or recovering from cancer treatment, coordinate with your oncology team first, and see our page on acupuncture for chemotherapy side effects.
Yes. Acupuncture is meant to work alongside the care you already receive, not replace it. Keep your physician informed, along with your oncology team if that applies, and don't change medications, diabetes treatment or supplements without talking to them first.
No. Reduced pain does not necessarily mean protective sensation has returned. Continue foot checks, suitable footwear and your diabetes or neuropathy care plan even when symptoms improve.
The cited studies primarily assess symptoms and function. One diabetic neuropathy trial reported symptom improvement without meaningful nerve-conduction changes. We do not promise nerve regrowth.
Bring your medication list, the diagnosed cause if known, relevant nerve tests and information about falls or skin wounds. Tell us about blood thinners and reduced sensation before treatment.
People commonly describe burning, tingling, numbness, or "pins and needles," often starting in the feet. Symptoms may be worse at night.
Reduced feeling makes it easy to miss cuts, blisters, or pressure sores. We encourage daily foot checks and careful attention to any changes in the skin.
We set practical goals at the outset and review symptoms, function, and unwanted effects across visits. When progress is limited, we reassess the treatment approach before scheduling further sessions.
For a first acupuncture visit at Acupuncture Xperts, choose New Patient Acupuncture. Established acupuncture patients can choose Signature Acupuncture. Use the booking page to review other service options or contact the clinic if unsure.
Ready to work toward more comfortable nights and easier daily activity? Start personalized acupuncture treatment for peripheral neuropathy in Boca Raton.
Treatment focuses on burning, tingling, nighttime discomfort, and daily function while foot protection, balance safety, and management of the underlying cause remain part of the plan.
At Acupuncture Xperts, our team evaluates your symptom pattern and builds a focused plan for comfort and daily activity. We serve patients throughout Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Highland Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, and surrounding South Florida communities.
Have questions or ready to begin? Contact our Boca Raton clinic to get started.
Related reading: NIDDK: Diabetes and foot protection · Trial author’s discussion of chemotherapy-related neuropathy research
Serving Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Highland Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County.
Acupuncture Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy
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