Helping Your Body Heal: The Vizuri Way

Part 01 / Nerve Health

Burning, Tingling, or Numb Feet? What Your Nerves May Be Telling You

Maybe your toes feel as though they have fallen asleep, even when you have been moving around. Perhaps your feet burn when you settle into bed, or you find yourself watching the ground more carefully because you do not feel quite as steady as you used to.

These changes can be easy to explain away. A long day. Uncomfortable shoes. Getting older.

At Vizuri Health Center, we encourage you to pay attention when something feels different. Persistent numbness, tingling, burning, or changes in balance deserve a closer look. Understanding what is happening is the first step toward making informed decisions about your care.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Your peripheral nerves connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Some help you feel touch, temperature, and pressure. Others help your muscles move. When peripheral nerves become damaged or stop working properly, the resulting condition is called peripheral neuropathy.¹

That term describes a problem with nerve function; it does not, by itself, tell us why the problem developed. This distinction matters. Two people can both describe burning feet and need very different care.

We believe a helpful conversation begins with more than naming the symptom. We also need to consider its pattern, its effect on your daily life, and the possible conditions behind it.

Neuropathy does not always feel like pain

Burning and electrical sensations often get people's attention. Reduced sensation can be quieter. You may feel as though you are walking on padding, notice that your socks seem bunched up when they are not, or struggle to tell exactly where your feet are positioned.

Symptoms can include tingling, numbness, unusual sensitivity to light touch, weakness, and difficulty with balance. The combination depends on which nerves are affected.¹ Something that feels strange rather than painful can still be worth evaluating.

Think about how these changes influence your choices. Are you avoiding uneven trails? Holding the railing more tightly? Cutting a shopping trip short? Those details help communicate the real impact of your symptoms, even when a pain score does not capture it.

Why finding the cause matters

Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral nerve damage, but neuropathy also occurs in people who do not have diabetes. Possible contributors include certain vitamin deficiencies, medication effects, heavy alcohol use, autoimmune conditions, kidney disease, and injuries or pressure affecting nerves. Sometimes, a cause remains unknown despite investigation.²

This is why we do not recommend choosing a treatment based on a symptom checklist alone. A person with a nutritional deficiency needs that deficiency addressed. Someone with a medication-related problem needs a discussion with the prescribing clinician. Other findings may call for specialist evaluation.

At Vizuri, our interest in whole-person health means taking the broader story seriously. We want to understand what may be contributing and where our care can fit within the support you need.

Could the problem be coming from somewhere else?

Tingling does not automatically mean a widespread neuropathy. A compressed nerve near the spine can also cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness. For example, cervical radiculopathy involves a nerve root in the neck and may produce symptoms into an arm or hand.³

The location and distribution of symptoms provide clues, but they do not establish a diagnosis on their own. Whether symptoms affect one side or both, follow a particular path, or change with position can help guide the examination.

Bring a simple description to your visit: where symptoms begin, when they occur, how long they last, and what makes them better or worse. You do not need perfect medical language. Your observations are useful.

What an evaluation can help clarify

An assessment typically includes a health history and examination. Depending on the findings, additional testing or referral may be appropriate. Blood tests, nerve conduction studies, and other investigations answer different questions; no single test explains every case.^{1, 2}

We also encourage you to bring a medication and supplement list, along with any previous test results. Tell us about changes in walking, sleep, work, and the activities you enjoy. Together, these pieces help build a clearer picture.

A meaningful next step should leave you understanding what is known, what still needs clarification, and what options make sense for you.

When to act sooner

Sudden one-sided numbness or weakness, especially with facial drooping or trouble speaking, calls for dialing 911 immediately.⁵ Rapidly worsening weakness also needs urgent medical attention. If you have reduced feeling in your feet, a new wound or signs of infection should be assessed promptly.^{2, 4}

For ongoing symptoms, you do not need to wait until they become severe to start the conversation.

Start with understanding

At Vizuri Health Center in Williston, we offer a neuropathy program and believe education is an essential part of care. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and clear about your next steps.

If burning, tingling, or numbness is changing how you live, contact our team to schedule an evaluation. We can help you explore whether our neuropathy services are appropriate or whether another type of evaluation should come first.

In the next article, we will look at the question many people ask next: Can damaged nerves heal, and what should a thoughtful treatment plan include?

Sources & further reading

National Library of Medicine. Peripheral Nerve Disorders. Read source
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Peripheral Neuropathy. Read source
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). Read source
NIDDK. Diabetes & Foot Problems. Read source
CDC. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. Read source

Thank goodness for the immune system! Did you know, you encounter bacteria that could make you sick each and every day? Your immune system is fighting to keep you healthy 24/7, and when it’s not at 100%, you’ll get a signal – like a runny nose – that sickness may be on the way. No one wants to be sick, and recent research indicates that some simple changes may help strengthen your immune system and keep you from getting sick.

Most people who rarely get sick, take proactive steps to keep their immune system in tip-top shape so it can fight off what it needs to. By making smart choices like those here, you can ensure your immune system remains strong!

Nutrition: Eat this, not that!

Food fuels your body, and, especially when you’re sick, it’s important to give your digestive system a break by eating easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods. You’ll recover faster, and your immune system will become stronger. Those same healthy foods that help you recover faster can keep you feeling and functioning better all year round too. Create a simple meal calendar and emphasize healthy, home-cooked meals which will strengthen your immune system (and possibly save you money!).

Here are a few ideas to get started…

Start with bone broth soup. It contains minerals that can help boost your immune system.
Consider adding probiotics that can help improve your sleep, digestion, and overall immunity.
Stick to veggies, berries and grass-fed meats (especially those with omega-3 fatty acids) which can help reduce any nagging inflammation.

Exercise: Get a daily dose to boost your immunity

A recent health survey found that 60% of participants reported fewer colds since they began their exercise routine. By carving out time to be active, you can feel better, more energized, and strengthen your immune system. Skip the stress of being sick this year by being proactive; take a brisk walk during your lunch break, use a standing desk at work and take the stairs. An active routine will allow you to stay healthier and feel more energized overall.

So just what are the added benefits of breaking a sweat? Read on…

Exercise gets our blood pumping more rapidly, which helps white blood cells circulate more rapidly to better fend off illness.
Increased activity levels can slow down the release of stress hormones and stimulate the release of endorphins.
Higher body temperatures driven by exercise can help prevent bacteria from growing and aid the immune system in fighting infection.

Chiropractic Adjustments: Feel AND function better each day

The first thought many people have when suffering with back or neck pain is “better go the chiropractor,” because, as research shows, chiropractic adjustments are one of the best ways to relive that pain. However, research also shows us that those same adjustments may be able to do much MORE – namely, positively impact your immune system and help it function at a higher level.

Relaxation of neck tension after an adjustment is common, which leads many to feel less stressed overall. That matters because when your stress response is lowered, your immune system can better fight off sickness. Here’s why…

Inflammation, the normal response of a compromised immune system, can increase sympathetic nerve activity.
Your sympathetic nervous system is responsible for your stress (fight or flight) response.
When your sympathetic nervous system is activated, it inhibits your immune system, meaning you aren’t able to rest and recover very well.

Make this one of your healthiest years yet! Less pain. Less stress. Better overall function. So many of our patients tell us that since the start of their care, they get sick less often. Start taking proactive steps to boost your immune system today. A robust immune system will help you stay healthy, stay active, and keep enjoying the things you love with the people you love.

If you know someone who seems to get sick quite often, share this information with them. It may be their first step towards a healthier immune system!

Science Source: Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Dec 2002 | Medline Plus. Exercise and Immunity. 2017 | American College of Sports Medicine: “Exercise and the Common Cold.” 2017 | Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017

Enhanced Immune System