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

Mental Health – The Gut and Hormone Connection

Recent years have seen a growing awareness of mental health issues, and, thankfully, most people are more open to conversations about addressing psychological challenges. However, many people remain unaware of new, exciting research on the connection between how gut health affects your mental health.

The connection between your digestive system and your brain can have a profound influence on your mental health, thanks to the complex communication network that exists between the two.

The Gut-Brain Axis

It may initially seem like a stretch to say your gut health affects your mood. So, let’s take a step back to look at the key terms. Your body’s organs do not exist in isolation, but rather are connected through complex networks that enable communication. Neurons are central to this process. They facilitate the communication between your brain and the rest of your body, everything from muscle reflexes, digestion to thoughts and emotions. They are the cornerstone of how gut health affects your mental health.

Neurotransmitters are the body’s chemical messengers, responsible for transmitting messages from neuron to neuron. When it comes to our mood regulation, an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters can result in mood disorders. Serotonin is one of these powerful neurotransmitters that regulates your mood, and a shortfall of serotonin can lead to depression.

The vagus nerve

Your gut contains over 500 of these neurons, all sending messages to your brain via your nervous system. One of the largest connections within the nervous system is the vagus nerve (also called the pneumogastric nerve), which sends two-way messages between your brain and your digestive system. The vagus nerve is part of the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which controls your basic bodily functions like digestion and breathing. The ENS consists of the parasympathetic nervous system, which works to slow them down, and the sympathetic nervous system, which kicks in when there’s a threat or crisis and speeds up bodily functions. A good way to remember the difference is that the sympathetic nervous system works for “flight or fight” responses, and the parasympathetic is “rest and digest” responses.

Disturbances in the balance between the two can lead to physical problems that are triggered by a psychological component – like stress triggering IBS symptoms. The vagus nerve helps with the “rest and digest” side, and helps to slow down the flight or fight responses that can wreak havoc on mental and physical health. Studies show that poor vagal tone can lead to difficulties regulating emotional responses.

The microbiome connection

Your gut is also a microbiome for trillions of microbes, which are bacteria, fungi and even viruses. These microbes play a large role in your health, including your mental health. They’re responsible for most of the production of the “happy” neurotransmitter, serotonin. The microbiome also helps produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety. Some studies have found that gut microbiomes can also activate the vagus nerve (more on activating the vagus nerve below!)

Gut Health And Your Mood

As you can see from all the “messengers” described above, your brain and your gut have constant bi-directional communication. That explains the queasy feelings that accompany nervousness (or even love!). But it’s important to remember that communication flows both ways. Disturbances in your gut can affect your brain, and as a result, there is a profound correlation between your gut bacteria and your mental health. Imbalances in the microbiome can reduce serotonin production, which as mentioned above, leads to depression.

The stark increase in antidepressants prescribed is telling there are factors at play here. And since we know gut health and mental health are closely connected, it’s important to treat the cause as well as the symptoms. Here are ways to treat the cause:

3 Ways To Optimize Your Gut Health and Improve Mental Health

1— Eat a gut-friendly diet

Optimum gut health depends on many different factors, but one thing we can control is the food we eat. Studies suggest that diversity of microbes offers the best protection, and your diet can play a role in creating this diversity. Unfortunately, the typical North American diet of processed foods doesn’t typically have a lot of diversity. The following foods can help increase bacteria:

Omega-3 fats aid in gut health and cognitive function. They are found in fatty fish, like salmon, nuts and seeds, like walnuts and chia seeds, and some plant oils, like flax seeds.
Foods high in polyphenols which include chocolate, coffee, and green tea. Polyphenols help by enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the growth of pathogens
Fermented foods contain high amounts of the beneficial bacteria lactobacilli which add to our gut microbiome. Good sources of fermented foods include kefir, yogurt (choose unsweetened when possible, and add fresh fruit), kimchi, miso and tempeh.
Whole grains can also increase bacteria. Although some studies have found this benefit only applies to gluten-free grains.
Focus on fiber. Dietary fiber is metabolized by bacteria in your gut, which helps stimulate good bacteria growth.
Probiotic supplements can increase the number of good bacteria in your gut. The quality of supplements sold varies quite widely, so work with a healthcare practitioner to find the right ones for you.

In our recent blog post, Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism, we share more tips on healthy eating habits that will only benefit your mental health.

2— Slow down, stay hydrated and move your body

A few lifestyle changes to incorporate to help optimize your gut health and improve mental health include:

Mindful eating. Slow down when you eat to take a break from your day which will help ease stress and anxiety. Help your body digest these healthy foods by chewing slowly and savoring your meals in a relaxing environment. By chewing slower you are breaking foods down adequately before they reach the stomach.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important for all bodily functions, helps protect the microbiome, and aids in digestion. Aim for 2 – 3L a day of fresh, filtered water and consume fruit and vegetables to stay adequately hydrated throughout the day.
Get moving! Exercise will aid digestion and stimulate peristalsis, the action of food moving through the digestive tract. This stimulation will help prevent constipation and improve elimination to keep you regular. Studies show that engaging in regular exercise may help improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.

3— Stimulate the vagus nerve

New research is being done regarding natural vagus nerve stimulation (without the electronic impulses done in a clinical setting). This helps to “tone” the vagus nerve to improve its function, and, therefore, your ability to slow the fight or flight response. Studies have shown that people with a strong vagus respond better to stress. To activate your vagus nerve:

Practice deep breathing. Slow, deep breathing (about six breaths per minute) can condition the vagus nerve and the rest of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Sing, hum, or gargle to strengthen your vocal chords, which are connected to the vagus nerve. Laughing has a similar effect.
Immerse your face in cold water. It might seem counterintuitive, but this can slow your sympathetic nervous system’s flight-or-fight response and tone your vagus nerve.

Protecting your mental health is best approached with a multifaceted-approach that includes optimizing your gut health. If you’d like some help putting together a plan, contact us and let’s talk!

Sources

Breit Sigrid, Kupferberg Aleksandra, Rogler Gerhard, Hasler Gregor, Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain–Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders , Frontiers in Psychiatry, volume 9, DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044

Mayer EA. Gut feelings: the emerging biology of gut-brain communication. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2011;12(8):453-466. Published 2011 Jul 13. doi:10.1038/nrn3071

Forsythe P, Bienenstock J, Kunze WA. Vagal pathways for microbiome-brain-gut axis communication. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014;817:115-33. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0897-4_5. PMID: 24997031.

Sun LJ, Li JN, Nie YZ. Gut hormones in microbiota-gut-brain cross-talk. Chin Med J (Engl). 2020;133(7):826-833. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000000706

Limbana T, Khan F, Eskander N. Gut Microbiome and Depression: How Microbes Affect the Way We Think. Cureus. 2020;12(8):e9966. Published 2020 Aug 23. doi:10.7759/cureus.9966

Menni C, Zierer J, Pallister T, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids correlate with gut microbiome diversity and production of N-carbamylglutamate in middle aged and elderly women. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):11079. Published 2017 Sep 11. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10382-2

Hansen LBS, Roager HM, Søndertoft NB, et al. A low-gluten diet induces changes in the intestinal microbiome of healthy Danish adults. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):4630. Published 2018 Nov 13. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-07019-x

McLaughlin KA, Rith-Najarian L, Dirks MA, Sheridan MA. Low vagal tone magnifies the association between psychosocial stress exposure and internalizing psychopathology in adolescents. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2015;44(2):314-328. doi:10.1080/15374416.2013.843464

How Your Gut Health Affects Your Mental Health