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Peripheral Neuropathy

Expert Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Washington, DC

Do you feel numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet? Are you having trouble with balance, walking, or coordination due to altered sensation? You may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. At Rose Physical Therapy, with clinics in Navy Yard, Friendship Heights, and Farragut North, we provide thoughtful, one-on-one care to help you manage these symptoms and move safely.

Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy: When Nerves Misfire

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves responsible for sensation, movement, and autonomic function are damaged. This dysfunction can affect a single nerve or entire regions of the body, depending on the cause.

Common Causes of Nerve Damage

While some types are hereditary, most cases are acquired. Common contributors include:

  • Diabetes: The most common cause of neuropathic symptoms.

  • Chemotherapy: Or side effects from other medications.

  • Autoimmune Conditions: When the body attacks its own nerve tissue.

  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Specifically Vitamin B12 deficiency.

  • Infections: Such as shingles, Lyme disease, or HIV.

  • Mechanical Compression: Nerve entrapment or pressure from a disc herniation.

What Does Peripheral Neuropathy Feel Like?

Because these nerves provide the brain with vital information about your environment, damage can lead to a variety of "misfires":

  • Altered Sensation: Numbness, burning, or "pins and needles" in the hands and feet.

  • Hypersensitivity: An increased or painful sensitivity to touch.

  • Motor Issues: Muscle weakness, particularly in the lower legs or hands.

  • Balance Problems: Difficulty walking or frequent tripping due to loss of coordination.

How We Evaluate Neuropathy at Rose PT

Effective management starts with understanding how the nerve damage is impacting your daily life. Our physical therapy evaluation focuses on:

  • Sensory Testing: Mapping out areas of decreased or altered sensation.

  • Balance & Gait Analysis: Assessing your risk of falls and identifying compensatory movements.

  • Strength Assessments: Checking for motor nerve involvement in the extremities.

  • Functional Movement: Evaluating how you navigate real-world DC conditions, like uneven sidewalks or stairs.

Schedule Your Assessment at Rose PT

Don't let altered sensation dictate your mobility. Rose Physical Therapy offers specialized, expert care at our three convenient DC locations:

  • Farragut North

  • Friendship Heights

  • Navy Yard