Peripheral Neuropathy can affect your balance. Peripheral Neuropathy is a failure of the nerves to carry information from the area it serves to the brain and spinal cord. For example, the nerves responsible for providing information to and from your feet are damaged and the information about feel and movement is not communicated to the brain.
This condition leads to pain, loss of sensation and even the inability to move and control the muscles. Neuropathies can affect just one nerve. This is called Monneuropathy. When several nerves are affected it is called Polyneuropathy. Statistics have shown that over 30% of the elderly population have painful circulatory problems in their legs.
Because one system the body uses to help maintain balance is the muscular, a compromised communication from the muscles to the brain can predispose one to be more susceptible to falls. Therefore, if you have limited feeling you need to be more aware of your surroundings.
I’m Steve Taylor, Physical Therapist of Southern Physical and Occupational Therapy Services
Moving You To A Pain-Free Lifestyle
