Peripheral Neuropathy – Are Your Feet Trying to Tell You Something?

How often have you experienced twinges, tingling or the odd shooting pain in your feet and thought nothing more about it? While they may be easy to pass off, they could be a sign of the development or onset of peripheral neuropathy.

In this post, we’ll unpack what’s really going on and why taking notice now could save you years of problems and discomfort.

Firstly, What Is Peripheral Neuropathy, and Why Does It Matter?

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. These peripheral nerves transmit sensory information, like touch, temperature, and pain, from your limbs to your brain. If left or ignored, it can lead to:

• Progressive symptoms that spread upward into your legs or even hands
• Mobility (and safety) problems that affect balance and coordination, while raising the risk of falling
• A greater potential for serious complications, leading to sores, infection, and even amputation.

In the U.S., it’s estimated that around 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy, with some studies suggesting numbers are far greater than this. This places the number of Americans with peripheral neuropathy anywhere between 6% and 28% of the population.   

While nerve damage usually begins gradually, catching it in its early stages offers the best chance to manage symptoms and potentially reverse them, with non-surgical methods like those offered at Midwest Institute of Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT STL).

Early Clues Your Feet May Be trying to tell you something

Like most problems or diseases, the body gives off subtle warnings. With this in mind, here are subtle signs that often precede full-blown neuropathy:

Intermittent “Pins & Needles” or Tingling - Felt on and off, especially in toes and soles. These “pins and needles” aren’t just odd sensations; they can also signal damaged small nerve endings.

Mild Numbness or “Threadbare” Sensation – As strange as it sounds, you might feel as if your socks are bunched up when they're not. Numbness can be sporadic and may come and go before finally settling in for good.

Unexplained Burning or Cold Flashes- Sudden burning, stabbing, or icy-cold feelings (typically at night) are often a good indicator of small-fiber nerve irritation.

Balance Issues or Clumsiness - Losing awareness of where your feet are, especially in dim light, or stumbling during night-time trips to the bathroom, are often good indicators of early nerve dysfunction  

Light Touch Feels Misplaced or Painful – Sometimes, even something as gentle as bed sheets brushing your feet may hurt. This is known as allodynia. While allodynia itself is not a direct result of peripheral neuropathy, it is often a warning sign that something abnormal is occurring.

Muscle Weakness or Cramping - weakness or cramping in your feet or lower legs could also be attributed to large-fiber nerve damage.

Now we’ve discussed what peripheral neuropathy is and what the underlying cause could look like, let’s talk about the key causes.

Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

By far, the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. According to the CDC, 36% (1 in 3 Americans) are prediabetic. This means that blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be classified as type II diabetes. However, 11% (around 40 million people) are currently diabetic.  

Other causes may include:

Vitamin Deficiencies—especially B1, B6, B12, copper, and folate

Alcohol Overuse—Peripheral neuropathy affects up to 66% of chronic drinkers, with 6% of the population having a chronic drinking problem.

Autoimmune Disorders & Infections like lupus, Lyme disease, HIV, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can also be underlying causes of peripheral neuropathy in extremities like the feet and hands.

Compression Injuries—from repetitive stress, surgery, or trauma.

Finally, and just to make things more complex, sometimes, no clear cause is identified at all. This is known as Idiopathic neuropathy.

That said, where possible, pinpointing factors like diabetes or vitamin deficiencies early is key to stopping or reversing nerve damage.

So, what should you do when your feet are trying to tell you something?

Listen and take action! Studies show earlier symptom recognition improves outcomes significantly.

Essentially, clinicians should…

Start with a thorough work-up. A comprehensive neurological exam, lab tests, EMG/nerve conduction studies, and nutritional analysis can uncover the root cause.

You could also…

Explore non-surgical therapies. At MINT STL, we offer several evidence-backed non-invasive treatments, including:

• Laser and electrical stimulation to promote nerve healing;
• Nutritional support and lifestyle coaching;
• Physical therapy for balance and strength restoration;
• Pain-management techniques without meds or needles.

Adopt smart self-care strategies like:

• Daily foot checks for cuts or redness;
• Maintaining stable blood sugar or nutrient levels;
• Choosing balanced shoes and performing balance exercises;
• Avoiding excessive alcohol and monitoring medications.

Why MINT STL Is Your Partner in Relief

At Midwest Institute of Non-Surgical Therapy, we specialize in diagnosing subtle neuropathy early and treating it without surgery or drugs. Patients trust us because we offer:

• Personalized diagnostic plans (custom treatments for diabetic neuropathy).
• Targeted, gentle therapies designed to rebuild nerve function.
• An empathetic, patient-first approach, you’re more than just a case number.
• A strong track record of helping patients reduce pain, improve sensation, regain balance, and get back to doing what they love.

Don’t Wait - Turn That Tingle Into Healing

Your feet aren't just carrying you, they're communicating vital health signals. When they start whispering or shouting, with tingling, burning, or numb sensations, don’t ignore the message. By the time you notice discomfort, nerve damage may have already set in.

Let our experienced team at MINT decode those signals for you. Remember, early intervention can mean the difference between temporary discomfort and long-term relief.

Call MINT STL today at 314-255-2204 or visit MINTSTL.com to schedule your comprehensive neuropathy evaluation and begin your journey toward pain-free feet because every step matters!