Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Saskatoon

Have you been diagnosed with neuropathy? Understanding the cause is the first step toward effective treatment.

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged or function abnormally. Symptoms may include burning sensations, numbness, tingling, shooting pains, or changes in sensitivity, most commonly affecting the feet and hands.

Dr. Toby Bridgman, ND, takes a thorough, individualized approach to evaluating peripheral neuropathy. With over 15 years of clinical experience, his focus is on identifying potential underlying causes, investigating nutritional and metabolic factors, and developing practical treatment plans tailored to each patient.

Treatment may include nutritional interventions, correction of identified deficiencies, and consideration of intravenous nutrient therapy when clinically appropriate. Although some studies suggest benefits from B-vitamin treatments for certain neuropathies, evidence for high-dose IV vitamin combinations remains limited.

Common Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on the specific nerves are affected. Symptoms often begin in the toes or feet and may gradually spread upward. The hands can also become affected.

Some people experience persistent discomfort, while others notice symptoms that come and go.

Common symptoms include:

• Burning sensations: Uncomfortable heat or burning, particularly in the feet, often worse at night.

• Numbness: Reduced sensation in the toes, feet, fingers, or hands.

• Tingling and pins and needles: Prickling, buzzing, or electrical sensations.

• Sharp or shooting pains: Sudden stabbing or electric shock-like sensations.

• Increased sensitivity: Pain or discomfort from light touch, clothing, or bedsheets.

• Reduced balance: Difficulty sensing the position of the feet, particularly in darkness.

• Muscle weakness: Weakness, cramping, or difficulty with fine motor movements.

  
  

Symptoms Can Vary Considerably

Some people experience primarily burning or pain, while others develop progressive numbness without significant discomfort.

Peripheral neuropathy may affect small sensory fibres, large sensory fibres, motor nerves, or autonomic nerves. The pattern of symptoms can provide important clues about the underlying cause.

Persistent burning, tingling, or numbness should not simply be dismissed as a normal and untreatable. There are treatments that can help.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease. It is a condition that can develop for many different reasons. Understanding the underlying cause is an essential part of developing an effective treatment plan.

In some cases, neuropathy is associated with an identifiable and potentially treatable condition. In others, the cause may be less obvious and require further investigation.

Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetes and Blood Sugar Imbalances

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. Persistently elevated blood glucose can damage peripheral nerves over time. Neuropathy can sometimes develop in people with prediabetes or impaired glucose regulation.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies in certain nutrients, particularly vitamin B12, vitamin B1 (thiamine), and copper, can contribute to nerve dysfunction. Nutritional problems may be associated with restricted diets, digestive disorders, poor absorption, or certain medications.

Medications and Medical Treatments

Certain medications, particularly some chemotherapy drugs, can damage peripheral nerves. Excessive alcohol consumption and exposure to certain toxins may also contribute. These types of neuropathy respond well to therapy.

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Conditions such as Sjögren's disease, celiac disease, and certain inflammatory or autoimmune neuropathies can affect peripheral nerve function.

Digestive Disorders and Malabsorption

Conditions that interfere with nutrient absorption, including celiac disease and some gastrointestinal disorders, may increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with neuropathy.

Other Medical Conditions

Thyroid disorders, kidney disease, certain infections, and hereditary neurological conditions can also contribute to peripheral neuropathy.

What If No Cause Has Been Found?

Some patients are diagnosed with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, meaning no specific cause has been identified.

While not every case has a reversible explanation, a careful review of medical history, medications, nutritional status, and previous investigations may occasionally identify contributing factors that have been overlooked.

Accurate Diagnosis Comes First

At Bridgman Clinical, our approach begins with understanding why neuropathy has developed, rather than focusing exclusively on symptom management.

Identifying potentially treatable causes helps guide an individualized plan and determine which therapies may be appropriate.

Our Approach to Peripheral Neuropathy

At Bridgman Clinical, we believe that effective treatment begins with an accurate understanding of the problem.

Dr. Toby Bridgman, ND, has over 15 years of clinical experience working with patients experiencing chronic and complex health conditions, including peripheral neuropathy.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we focus on identifying potentially treatable causes and developing individualized treatment strategies.

1. Comprehensive Assessment

We begin with a detailed review of your symptoms, medical history, medications, previous investigations, and potential risk factors.

The location, progression, and nature of your symptoms can provide important clues about which nerves are affected and what may be contributing to the problem.

2. Investigating Underlying Causes

When appropriate, we consider laboratory investigations to evaluate nutritional deficiencies, blood sugar regulation, thyroid function, and other metabolic factors.

We also review existing investigations and consider whether additional neurological assessment or nerve testing may be helpful.

3. Individualized Treatment

Treatment recommendations depend on the suspected cause, severity of symptoms, and individual circumstances.

Options may include correcting nutritional deficiencies, addressing contributing metabolic or digestive conditions, and considering targeted nutritional or intravenous therapies when appropriate.

We also recognize the importance of conventional medical treatments for neuropathic pain and specific neurological conditions.

4. Monitoring Progress

We assess changes in symptoms such as burning, tingling, numbness, and pain, while monitoring overall function and treatment tolerance.

Our goal is to identify meaningful improvements, reassess treatments that are not helping, and adjust the plan as needed.

A Thoughtful, Evidence-Informed Approach

Not every form of neuropathy is reversible, and no single treatment works for everyone.

Our focus is on providing careful assessment, realistic expectations, and practical treatment options that reflect each patient's individual needs.

Treatment Options for Peripheral Neuropathy

An Individualized Approach to Supporting Nerve Health

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the underlying cause, the type of nerve involvement, and the severity of symptoms.

At Bridgman Clinical, we consider a range of treatment options, including nutritional interventions, intravenous nutrient therapy, and strategies to address underlying medical conditions.

Intravenous Vitamin Therapy

B vitamins play important roles in maintaining healthy nerve function, supporting cellular energy production, and maintaining the protective myelin sheath surrounding many nerve fibres.

Dr. Toby Bridgman, ND, has extensive clinical experience using intravenous B-vitamin formulations, including vitamin B12, in patients experiencing peripheral neuropathy.

In clinical practice, some patients have reported meaningful improvements in burning, tingling, and numbness following treatment. These observations have encouraged our continued interest in the potential role of nutritional therapies in nerve health.

Published research has investigated B-vitamin supplementation and injectable vitamin B12 for certain forms of peripheral neuropathy. Although some studies report improvements in symptoms and nerve function, high-quality evidence specifically supporting high-dose intravenous B-vitamin combinations remains limited.

IV vitamin therapy is therefore considered individually, with attention to potential benefits, limitations, and safety.

Identifying and Correcting Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies in vitamin B12, thiamine (B1), copper, and certain other nutrients can contribute to peripheral nerve dysfunction.

When deficiencies are identified, appropriate nutritional replacement may help prevent further nerve damage and, in some cases, support neurological recovery.

Treatment depends on the specific deficiency, its underlying cause, and whether oral supplementation or injectable replacement is most appropriate.

Addressing Contributing Health Conditions

Neuropathy can be associated with diabetes, digestive disorders, autoimmune conditions, medication effects, and other medical problems.

Where possible, we work to identify and address these contributing factors while supporting patients in accessing appropriate conventional medical care.

Monitoring Treatment Response

Changes in burning, tingling, numbness, pain, and daily functioning help us evaluate whether treatment is providing meaningful benefit.

Because neuropathy can have many different causes, responses vary, and improvement cannot be guaranteed.

Our Goal

Our goal is to help patients better understand their neuropathy, identify potentially treatable factors, and explore reasonable treatment options that may improve symptoms and quality of life.

Research and Clinical Evidence

Exploring the Role of B Vitamins in Peripheral Neuropathy

B vitamins are essential for normal nerve function, cellular energy production, and neurological health.

Clinical research has investigated vitamin B1, B6, and B12 supplementation for peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic neuropathy and other forms of peripheral nerve dysfunction.

Some studies have reported improvements in neuropathic symptoms and measures of nerve function. However, results vary, and further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of specific intravenous formulations.

Below are selected peer-reviewed publications exploring the relationship between B vitamins and peripheral neuropathy.

What Does This Research Mean for Patients?

These publications suggest that B vitamins may have a role in managing certain forms of peripheral neuropathy, particularly where nutritional deficiencies or impaired vitamin metabolism contribute to nerve dysfunction.

However, the evidence does not establish that high-dose intravenous B-vitamin therapy is effective for all forms of neuropathy.

At Bridgman Clinical, we combine clinical experience with an ongoing review of published research, emphasizing individualized assessment, appropriate treatment selection, and careful monitoring of outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peripheral Neuropathy

Can peripheral neuropathy be reversed?

Some forms of peripheral neuropathy can improve, particularly when the underlying cause is identified and treated early. Neuropathy caused by certain nutritional deficiencies, metabolic problems, or medication effects may be partially or sometimes substantially reversible.

However, nerve recovery can be slow, and longstanding nerve damage may not be fully reversible.

Can vitamin B12 help peripheral neuropathy?

Yes, particularly when vitamin B12 deficiency is contributing to nerve dysfunction. B12 is essential for maintaining healthy nerve function, and correcting a deficiency can help prevent further neurological damage and support recovery.

Research has also investigated B12 supplementation in other forms of neuropathy, although the evidence is less conclusive.

Can IV vitamin therapy help burning and numbness in the feet?

Some patients receiving IV B-vitamin therapy report improvements in burning, tingling, and numbness.

At Bridgman Clinical, we have observed positive responses in some patients receiving individualized intravenous nutritional treatments.

However, high-quality clinical trials specifically evaluating high-dose IV B-vitamin combinations remain limited, and improvement cannot be guaranteed.

How quickly can neuropathy symptoms improve?

The time required for improvement depends on the underlying cause and the treatment being used.

Some patients report changes in symptoms within days of beginning nutritional treatment, while others require weeks or months to notice improvement.

Recovery of damaged nerves, when possible, generally takes considerably longer than improvement in pain or tingling.

Why is neuropathy often worse at night?

Burning, tingling, and discomfort may become more noticeable at night because there are fewer distractions and changes in sensory processing can influence how pain is perceived.

For some people, even light contact with bedsheets can produce significant discomfort.

What if my doctor cannot find the cause of my neuropathy?

When no specific cause is identified, the condition may be described as idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

A review of previous investigations, medications, nutritional status, blood sugar regulation, and medical history may sometimes identify contributing factors.

However, some cases remain unexplained despite appropriate investigation.

Is IV vitamin therapy appropriate for everyone?

No. Intravenous nutritional therapy is not necessary or appropriate for every patient with neuropathy.

Treatment decisions depend on the suspected cause, medical history, current medications, nutritional status, and potential risks.

Excessive exposure to certain vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, can itself cause nerve damage.

Do I need a referral to book an appointment?

A physician referral is not generally required to book a naturopathic consultation at Bridgman Clinical.

We encourage patients to bring any previous bloodwork, nerve conduction studies, neurological reports, or other relevant medical records to their appointment.

Take the Next Step Toward Understanding Your Neuropathy

Experiencing burning, tingling, numbness, or persistent discomfort in your hands or feet?

Peripheral neuropathy can be frustrating, particularly when symptoms persist despite previous investigations or treatments.

At Bridgman Clinical, Dr. Toby Bridgman, ND, offers individualized assessments focused on understanding the underlying causes of neuropathy and exploring appropriate treatment options.

With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Bridgman works with patients experiencing both straightforward and complex health concerns.

You don't have to navigate your symptoms alone.

Book an appointment to discuss your symptoms, review previous investigations, and explore whether additional assessment or treatment may be helpful.