Finding Relief from Neuropathy with Acupuncture & Integrative Care
Living with neuropathy can feel overwhelming. Tingling, numbness, burning, or weakness in the hands and feet can make even simple daily tasks more difficult. Whether neuropathy develops after chemotherapy, from diabetes, injury, or aging, it often leaves people searching for lasting relief beyond medications.
At True Nature Wellness in Sebastopol, I help patients find comfort and support for neuropathy through acupuncture, integrative bodywork, and holistic lifestyle approaches.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy simply means nerve damage or dysfunction. The nerves act like wiring that carry messages between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When those wires are damaged, the signals can get mixed up, weakened, or blocked.
This can lead to symptoms such as:
Tingling, burning, or “pins and needles”
Numbness or reduced sensation
Sharp or shooting pain
Muscle weakness or loss of coordination
Neuropathy can develop for many reasons. Common causes include diabetes, side effects from chemotherapy, injuries, infections, autoimmune conditions, or even long-term wear and tear with aging. Sometimes the cause isn’t clear, but the impact on daily life is very real.
Western medicine often manages neuropathy with painkillers, antidepressants, or anti-seizure medications. While these can help, they don’t always resolve the root problem — and side effects can be limiting.
A Chinese Medicine Perspective
In Chinese medicine, neuropathy is often seen as an imbalance in circulation and nourishment to the nerves:
Qi & Blood Deficiency – not enough energy and circulation to feed the nerves.
Cold or Damp Obstruction – sluggish flow causing heaviness, numbness, or pain.
Kidney & Liver Imbalances – long-term depletion that affects nerve health and vitality.
Acupuncture works by restoring balance, improving circulation, calming inflammation, and helping the body repair itself.
How Acupuncture Can Help
In my clinic, I often use a combination of:
Acupuncture points that stimulate nerve pathways locally and systemically.
Electro-acupuncture (e-stim) to gently activate nerves and encourage repair.
Cupping or gua sha to improve blood flow and release tension.
Chinese herbal medicine to build Qi and Blood and reduce inflammation.
Lifestyle practices such as warm foot soaks, gentle movement, and stress reduction to support long-term healing.
The Role of Inflammation
Inflammation is one of the biggest drivers of nerve pain. When circulation is stagnant or the immune system is overactive, nerves become irritated and more sensitive. Acupuncture naturally calms inflammation, helping reduce pain signals and allowing nerves to regenerate.
Dietary Support for Neuropathy
Food can be powerful medicine when it comes to nerve health and inflammation. Some simple guidelines include:
Eat more anti-inflammatory foods: fresh vegetables, leafy greens, berries, turmeric, ginger, wild-caught fish, walnuts, flax and chia seeds.
Balance blood sugar: steady energy helps protect the nerves, so focus on whole grains, legumes, and protein with each meal.
Stay hydrated: fluids keep circulation moving and tissues nourished.
Avoid inflammatory triggers: limit excess sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and trans fats, which can worsen nerve irritation.
These small shifts, combined with acupuncture, can create a supportive environment for healing.
What the Research Shows
Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in reducing neuropathy symptoms, especially for people recovering from chemotherapy or managing diabetic neuropathy. Many patients experience:
Less pain and tingling
Improved sleep
Better balance and mobility
Greater sense of wellbeing
Taking the Next Step
If you’re dealing with neuropathy, know that you don’t have to face it alone. Acupuncture offers a safe, natural way to support your body’s healing process and improve quality of life.
Chase Desso, LAc
True Nature Wellness — Sebastopol, CA
707-694-3528
I’d love to help you find relief and reconnect with your body.