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

Have you ever found yourself wishing someone “happy holidays” while you feel anything but happy inside? If so, you’re definitely not alone. While there are certainly many reasons to be joyful at this time of year, it’s also a busy and stressful time. Plus, many of us struggle with comparisons of the perfectly festive things we’re shown in the media and our own reality.

Add in shorter days and colder temperatures, and it becomes a challenge to stay on top of your mental and physical health. A majority of people with mental health conditions find their condition worsens over the holidays. And even for people who don’t normally experience depression, December can be marked by an increase in loneliness, anxiety, and fatigue.

This year will be different! A few lifestyle changes can help you thrive in the next few weeks as you enjoy a health and stress-free holiday season.

How To Keep Up With Healthy Habits Over The Holidays

Here are some tips to help you keep up with or kick start healthy habits over the busy and often stressful holiday season.

1 – Make proactive plans to lower stress.

A study commissioned by the National Mental Health Association identified some of the top stressors of the holiday season as:

Lack of time: 69% of women and 63% of men
Lack of money: 69% of women and 55% of men
Gift-giving pressure: 51% of women and 42% of men

It’s important to realize that these pressures can be managed. The key is prioritization. Don’t be afraid to say no to events that won’t bring you joy. Avoid overcommitment so you can really appreciate the people and events that are most meaningful.

Making a budget before the holiday season can help you stick to realistic spending habits. You don’t want to start the new year with the additional stress of debt. Keep in mind that studies have found that experiences are often more memorable gifts than things. Activities like offering to babysit for a stressed-out mother, going for a walk with a lonely senior, or cooking a fancy dinner at home can ultimately be more appreciated than breaking your budget.

2 – Focus on nutrient-rich meals and stay hydrated.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that our fears of holiday weight gain are often exaggerated – the average person gains less than a pound. So, instead of trying to limit intake, skipping meals, and stressing about treats, focus on eating and drinking for energy throughout the season. Here are some tips that may help:

Eating natural whole foods will protect your mental health, energy levels, and digestion. Before a party, try to eat a balanced meal, complete with complex carbs, healthy fats, and quality protein.
For potluck parties, offer to bring something healthy like a fruit salad, veggie tray (raw or grilled, doesn’t have to be boring!) or a nutrient packed salad.
Don’t be afraid to try a seasonal treat! Eat treats mindfully, taking the time to savor the flavors. Many people have special memories associated with treats that are only available at this time of the year.
At the moment it might feel like alcoholic drinks make things merry, but keep in mind that alcohol is a depressant, reduces decision-making skills, dehydrates your cells, and of course isn’t safe if you drive. If you’re already feeling stressed, alcohol can often make things worse. Fortunately, a lot of exciting non-alcoholic drinks have entered the market, including kombucha, much-improved non-alcoholic beer, and low-sugar sparkling drinks. If you do want to drink alcohol, be sure to drink a lot of water after every drink.

3 – Find ways to stay active.

It’s easy to hibernate when it’s dark and cold outside, but don’t let the weather slow you down. For social gatherings, suggest active get-togethers like walks, and if you’re able, explore winter sports like skiing, skating and snowshoeing.

“Getting in shape” is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, but there’s no reason you have to wait until the new year! Even though you’re busy, exercising during the holidays will help you cope with stress and give you energy. You don’t have to commit to long workouts – every bit of activity helps. If you’re limited by time and money, you can find free workouts for every level and every length on YouTube. However, as always, if you’re not sure where to start, talk to a professional.

4 – Prioritize rest and sleep.

It’s hard to be energized and festive when you’re not getting enough sleep. No matter how busy you are, do your best to stick to your regular sleep schedule. It can take up to four days to recover from one hour of missed sleep!

With all the stimulation of the holidays, you might find it harder to settle down to sleep and stay asleep. Focus on maintaining good sleep hygiene, including:

Reduce blue light exposure from your phone and other devices before bedtime. Blue light suppresses your body’s production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.
Maintain a calm and cool sleeping environment.
Avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
Don’t drink alcohol or eat right before you go to sleep.

5 – Give back and be mindful of others.

Emotions can run high during the holidays. We often remember those who are no longer with us, or wonder why our own festivities don’t measure up to a Hallmark holiday movie. Try to give some grace to yourself and others. Take a deep breath before you react to personal conflicts. Reach out to people you know are alone, and touch base with those you haven’t seen in a while.

When you give back to your community, you also experience many health benefits yourself. Studies have linked volunteer time with improved mental health, proving that volunteering or donating to a worthwhile charity can help elevate your mood.

Staying healthy and happy over the holidays and into the new year, doesn’t have to be difficult. Reach out if you need assistance with any aspect of your wellbeing in the coming weeks.

Happy holidays!

Sources

National Alliance on Mental Health, “Mental Health and the Holiday Blues” https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2014/Mental-health-and-the-holiday-blues

Cindy Chan, Cassie Mogilner. Experiential Gifts Foster Stronger Social Relationships than Material Gifts. Journal of Consumer Research, 2016; ucw067 DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucw067

Yanovski JA, Yanovski SZ, Sovik KN, Nguyen TT, O’Neil PM, Sebring NG. A prospective study of holiday weight gain. N Engl J Med. 2000 Mar 23;342(12):861-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200003233421206. PMID: 10727591; PMCID: PMC4336296

Kitamura S, Katayose Y, Nakazaki K, Motomura Y, Oba K, Katsunuma R, Terasawa Y, Enomoto M, Moriguchi Y, Hida A, Mishima K. Estimating individual optimal sleep duration and potential sleep debt. Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 24;6:35812. doi: 10.1038/srep35812. PMID: 27775095; PMCID: PMC5075948.

Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY. Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health. 2017 Jul 11;18(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8. Erratum in: BMC Public Health. 2017 Sep 22;17 (1):736. PMID: 28693551; PMCID: PMC5504679.

How to Have Healthy and Stress-Free Holidays