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

If you constantly feel tired, you are not alone. Many health practitioners report tiredness as one of the most common patient complaints, with around 45% of people in the US experiencing constant fatigue. Getting to the root cause of fatigue can be tricky – it is usually not enough to simply “get more sleep.” We are here to help you understand three possible health conditions that could be contributing to your fatigue, and what you can do about them.

Three Hidden Health Conditions That Are Making You Tired

1 – Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue describes a health condition in which chronic stress levels have overstimulated the adrenal glands, causing them to produce inconsistent levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).

When the adrenals are working properly, we should have a slow increase of cortisol throughout the day that then declines in the evening. However, if we are continually feeling stressed every day, our adrenals aren’t able to produce hormones effectively.

This causes energy levels to spike at the wrong times. If you are dealing with adrenal fatigue, you may experience lethargy in the mornings and full alertness at night.

Other symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

Extreme fatigue that doesn’t go away with sleep
Brain fog
Hair loss
Insulin resistance
Difficulty sleeping
Lightheadedness
Loss of appetite
Decreased sex drive/libido
Moodiness and irritability
Sweet/salty food cravings
Low blood pressure
Weight gain

The adrenals influence many parts of the body, and their function has significant effects on your overall health. For instance, when the body produces cortisol in high amounts, other hormones are released that put important bodily functions– like digestion and immunity – on hold so that we can respond to the danger or stress.

If you are under a great deal of stress in your life, you may be at risk of developing adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is often seen in mothers, single parents, university students, and shift workers. It can also develop during periods of financial hardship or after the loss of a loved one.

We will all deal with multiple stressors throughout our lives, so it is important to promote healthy adrenal function so that your body is equipped to handle them. These tips will help you support an energized, vital life. As always, consult with a trusted naturopath or physician before implementing any new dietary or supplementation regimes.

Reduce stress on your mind & body. It is especially important to avoid negative thinking. Adding a meditation practice to your day may be useful if you find that you feel tired physically, but your brain is still active with stressful thoughts. And don’t forget to laugh and do something fun whenever possible!
Adaptogenic support. Certain adaptogens, such as ashwagandha and schisandra, have been shown to reduce cortisol and improve our body’s stress response. Using these herbs in recipes or in supplement form may help relieve your adrenal strain.
Avoid or eliminate foods that tax the adrenals. This includes coffee, white flour, artificial sweeteners, processed meats, and inflammatory oils.

If you are dealing with symptoms of adrenal fatigue, or chronic stress in general, it can have a significant impact on your health. Thankfully, you can improve the issue naturally by prioritizing a low-stress lifestyle and a healthy diet.

2 – Gut Imbalance

The source of your constant fatigue could also be inside your belly. Recent research has found a strong link between gut health and energy levels. Your gut is a complex system made up of millions of microbes that help you break down food, absorb nutrients, and generally keep your whole body healthy. When the balance of these microbes is off, it can have a huge impact on your energy and daily life.

You may know that serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with sleep and mood, is produced within your gut. So, microbiome imbalances can directly impact your ability to sleep as well as your day-to-day energy and enthusiasm.

Gut imbalance can be caused by a number of things, from poor diet to heavy alcohol consumption, to antibiotic use and poor oral hygiene. Look out for these symptoms of gut imbalance that could just be the source of your sluggishness:

Frequently upset stomach (gas, bloating, cramping, constipation, heartburn, etc.)
Unintentional weight gain/loss
Skin irritation, like psoriasis or acne
Food intolerances, or difficulty digesting certain foods, are linked to poor quality of gut bacteria.

The health of your gut microbiome begins with your diet. If you want to support your gut health and your energy levels, it is important to eat a variety of colorful, whole foods and lean proteins. Here are a few foods that will help your microbiome flourish:

Fermented foods. Unsweetened yogurt or kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso, contain beneficial bacteria that your gut may be lacking.
Sip on bone broth. Bone broth contains a nutrient called glutamine which helps to maintain the function of the intestinal wall. Other nutrients in bone broth such as glycine and arginine, are anti-inflammatory and can help soothe an upset stomach.
Prebiotic foods. Prebiotic such as asparagus, garlic, onions, leeks and legumes are high-fiber foods which promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut.

Above all, avoiding ultra-processed foods and artificial sweeteners is crucial for optimal gut health and energy levels. It is also recommended to include healthy fats and protein at each meal. This helps to stabilize your blood sugar and prevent drops in energy.

Additionally, studies have shown that exercise can have a positive impact on your gut microbiome. While this may seem daunting if you are struggling with low energy levels, you do not have to do a high-intensity workout to see benefits. Even taking a light walk after dinner has been shown to enhance digestion.

If your gut is causing you significant discomfort and potentially affecting your energy levels, it may be beneficial to work with a practitioner who can customize a regimen based on your individual symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.

3 – Hormonal Imbalances

Finally, it is common for chronic fatigue to stem from a hormonal imbalance.

Hormones are your body’s chemical messenger system. Too much or too little of a certain hormone (even small changes!) can have noticeable effects throughout your whole body.

Some hormone levels are meant to fluctuate throughout your lifetime – this is just a part of aging. But other changes can occur due to lifestyle or dietary factors.

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. Having too much of the hormone progesterone can make you more tired, and if your thyroid creates too little thyroid hormone, this can also drain your energy.

Some signs of hormonal imbalance in women include:

Heavy or irregular periods
Acne on the face, chest, or upper back
Hair loss or thinning
Changes in appetite or weight gain/loss
Dry skin
Vaginal dryness
Hirsutism, or excessive hair on the face, chin, or other areas of the body
Headaches
Night sweats

And while it isn’t as widely recognized, men can certainly have hormonal problems too. When a man is experiencing a hormonal imbalance, he will often experience fatigue. He may also experience diminished sexual interest or performance and have difficulty maintaining muscle mass. Other symptoms may include:

Gynecomastia, which is the development of breast tissue
A decrease in beard growth or body hair
Difficulty concentrating
Hot flashes

In the meantime, here are some of our tips for supporting hormonal balance to help you get back to your lively, energized self:

Consume adequate protein at each meal. Your body needs it to produce peptide hormones, which play a role in growth, energy metabolism, appetite, stress, and reproduction.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity can increase your hormone receptor sensitivity, meaning that it heightens the delivery of nutrients and hormone signals. Being physically active can also help boost levels of muscle-maintaining hormones that decline with age, such as testosterone, DHEA, and growth hormone.
Reduce your sugar intake. This may be difficult if you are dealing with fatigue and rely on sweetened foods for a quick energy boost. However, fructose often fails to stimulate the production of the fullness hormone leptin, which in turn leads to decreased calorie burn and increased weight gain.
Consume healthy fats and vegetables. Essentially, consider following a Mediterranean style diet to support hormonal balance. A diet rich in quality healthy fats helps prevent insulin resistance and rising cortisol levels. This includes foods such as pure MCT oil, avocados, almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, fatty fish, and extra virgin olive oil.

Dealing with persistent fatigue can seriously impact your work performance, relationships, and overall satisfaction with life. If you are tired of feeling tired, there are many steps you can take to increase your energy levels naturally.

If you’d like to learn more about the root cause of your fatigue – whether adrenal, gut-related, or hormonal – don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can create a plan to optimize your energy levels and get your vibrant life back!

SOURCES

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Boolani A, Gallivan KM, Ondrak KS, Christopher CJ, Castro HF, Campagna SR, Taylor CM, Luo M, Dowd SE, Smith ML, Byerley LO. Trait Energy and Fatigue May Be Connected to Gut Bacteria among Young Physically Active Adults: An Exploratory Study. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 21;14(3):466. doi: 10.3390/nu14030466. PMID: 35276824; PMCID: PMC8839554.

Elder GJ, Wetherell MA, Barclay NL, Ellis JG. The cortisol awakening response–applications and implications for sleep medicine. Sleep Med Rev. 2014 Jun;18(3):215-24. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2013.05.001. Epub 2013 Jul 5. PMID: 23835138.

James L. Wilson, Clinical perspective on stress, cortisol and adrenal fatigue, Advances in Integrative Medicine, Volume 1, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 93-96, ISSN 2212-9588, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2014.05.002.

Pawar, Vinod & Hugar, Shivakumar. (2012). A current status of adaptogens: Natural remedy to stress. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 2. S480–S490. 10.1016/S2222-1808(12)60207-2.

Lakhan, S.E., Kirchgessner, A. Gut inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome. Nutr Metab (Lond) 7, 79 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-7-79

Simon Carding, Kristin Verbeke, Daniel T. Vipond, Bernard M. Corfe & Lauren J. Owen (2015) Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in disease, Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 26:1, DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v26.26191

Achamrah N, Déchelotte P, Coëffier M. Glutamine and the regulation of intestinal permeability: from bench to bedside. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2017 Jan;20(1):86-91. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000339. PMID: 27749689.

Mailing, Lucy J.; Allen, Jacob M.; Buford, Thomas W.; Fields, Christopher J.; Woods, Jeffrey A.. Exercise and the Gut Microbiome: A Review of the Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications for Human Health. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 47(2):p 75-85, April 2019. | DOI: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000183

Hamaguchi T, Tayama J, Suzuki M, Nakaya N, Takizawa H, Koizumi K, Amano Y, Kanazawa M, Fukudo S. The effects of locomotor activity on gastrointestinal symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome among younger people: An observational study. PLoS One. 2020 May 29;15(5):e0234089. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234089. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2020 Dec 17;15(12):e0244465. PMID: 32470098; PMCID: PMC7259724.

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Sabag A, Chang D, Johnson NA. Growth Hormone as a Potential Mediator of Aerobic Exercise-Induced Reductions in Visceral Adipose Tissue. Front Physiol. 2021 Apr 26;12:623570. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.623570. PMID: 33981247; PMCID: PMC8107361.

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Three Common Causes of Fatigue and How to Reverse Them