Frequently Asked Questions on Peripheral Neuropathy

Between 80 - 85% of our patients show improvement in their pre and post treatment exam scores. During the exam process we do a “Neuro Foot Exam” which gives us a score out of 74; the lower the score the worse your feet are. In most cases we see at least a doubling of the patient’s score. The scores correlate to Mild, Moderate, Severe, or Extreme damage to the nerve endings. For example if your rating is “Severe” we would hope for your feet to improve to a “Mild” by the end of treatment.

Infra-red light is light from outside the visible spectrum of light. You can think of it like a dog whistle that you can’t hear but it still makes a noise for your dog, the light is not visible but it’s still there. These rays of light have been shown to create vasodilation (the opening up of blood vessels) which allows oxygen to be transported to the tissue where damaged nerve endings are.

Many patients notice changes within the first few weeks of consistent neuropathy treatment, depending on the severity and cause of their nerve damage. “Improvement” can look different for everyone. Some may experience less tingling or burning pain, others may have stronger balance or better sleep, and some may even feel their feet on the floor again. 

Infrared light therapy for neuropathy is non-invasive and considered very safe. Most patients experience no side effects. Occasionally, mild warmth, temporary redness, or light tingling may occur after a session; these are signs that circulation is improving. There’s no downtime, medication, or risk of tissue damage when performed by trained professionals.

Yes, our therapy protocols are effective for many forms of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic, chemotherapy-induced, idiopathic (unknown cause), and injury-related cases. Infrared therapy helps stimulate nerve regeneration, reduce inflammation, and increase oxygen flow, supporting recovery regardless of the cause of the nerve damage.

Not at all. Infrared and low-level light therapy are gentle, pain-free treatments. You may feel a mild warmth or soothing tingling during the session, but there’s no pain, needles, or discomfort involved.

While neuropathy therapy can significantly improve nerve function, pairing it with balanced nutrition, regular low-impact exercise, and proper hydration helps the body heal faster. If you have diabetes, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential to protect nerve health and support long-term results.

Many patients enjoy lasting relief after completing their neuropathy treatment program, especially when they continue healthy lifestyle habits. However, since nerve damage can recur or progress with certain conditions, occasional maintenance sessions may be recommended to keep symptoms under control and prevent regression.

Some patients experience mild sensitivity or tingling early on as nerves begin to reactivate. This is temporary and often a positive sign that the body is responding.

Missing an occasional session won’t reverse progress, but long gaps can slow results. If you fall off schedule, contact the clinic to adjust your plan and keep your progress on track.

Infrared and light-based therapies are generally safe for patients with most medical devices. However, if you have a pacemaker, insulin pump, or metal implant, let your practitioner know before beginning neuropathy treatment so they can tailor your plan for maximum safety.

Yes, caregivers or family members are welcome to accompany you during neuropathy treatment sessions for comfort or support.

Peripheral neuropathy often causes symptoms such as tingling, burning, numbness, pain, weakness, or reduced sensitivity in the feet, legs, hands, or arms. However, similar symptoms can also come from circulation issues, spinal problems, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, medication side effects, or other health conditions. That is why an assessment is important before starting treatment. The goal is to better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether neuropathy-focused care is appropriate for you.to understand better

Yes. When the nerves in your feet are not sending clear signals, it can become harder to feel the ground, judge foot placement, or react quickly when walking. This can make balance feel less steady, especially in the dark, on stairs, or on uneven surfaces. Improving nerve function, circulation, strength, and awareness of your feet may help support safer movement over time.

Many people notice burning, tingling, or discomfort more at night because there are fewer distractions and the body is at rest. Circulation changes, pressure from bedding, blood sugar fluctuations, or nerve sensitivity can also make symptoms feel more noticeable. If symptoms are affecting your sleep, it is worth discussing during your assessment so your treatment plan can consider both symptom relief and quality of life.

Long-standing neuropathy can be more complex, but that does not always mean improvement is impossible. The degree of improvement depends on factors such as severity, cause, circulation, overall health, consistency with care, and how much nerve function remains. An exam can help establish a baseline so progress can be measured more clearly instead of relying only on how symptoms feel day to day.

If you have reduced feeling in your feet, it is important to avoid anything that could cause injury without you noticing. Be cautious with very hot baths, heating pads, walking barefoot, tight shoes, poorly fitted footwear, and aggressive foot filing or trimming. People with diabetes or reduced sensation should check their feet regularly for cuts, blisters, calluses, or sores because small problems can become more serious if they go unnoticed.

In many cases, gentle movement can be helpful, especially when it is safe and matched to your ability level. Low-impact exercise, balance work, stretching, and strengthening may support circulation, mobility, confidence, and overall function. If your feet are numb, painful, or unsteady, it is best to start carefully and ask a healthcare provider what type of activity is appropriate for you.

Cold feet can sometimes be related to poor circulation, nerve dysfunction, or other health concerns. Because infrared and light-based therapy are intended to support blood flow and tissue oxygenation, some patients may notice their feet feel warmer or more responsive as treatment progresses. However, cold feet can have several causes, so it is important to mention this symptom during your assessment.

Numbness should be taken seriously because it can mean your feet are not detecting pressure, temperature, or injury properly. Pain is often what gets attention first, but loss of feeling can increase the risk of unnoticed cuts, blisters, burns, or sores. This is especially important for people with diabetes, where nerve damage and reduced sensation can increase the risk of foot complications.

It helps to bring a list of your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and any relevant medical history. You may also want to bring information about medications, supplements, diabetes status, previous nerve testing, surgeries, chemotherapy history, injuries, or other diagnoses. The more complete the picture, the easier it is to understand what may be contributing to your neuropathy symptoms.

You should seek medical attention promptly if you notice sudden weakness, rapidly worsening numbness, a foot wound that is not healing, signs of infection, severe pain, or changes that affect walking, balance, bladder function, digestion, or daily activities. Neuropathy symptoms should not be ignored, especially when they are new, worsening, or affecting your safety. Early assessment gives you a better chance to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of further nerve damage.

The lights are LEDs and therefore they generate very little warmth. Patient’s will sometimes say that they feel their feet warming up but that is a result of an increase in blood flow through the small blood vessels of the tissues. By being able to get blood to flow through the small blood vessels we are able to get oxygen and nutrients to where the nerve endings are and help to grow them.

The treatments are very comfortable as you will be seated in a nice chair and taken good care of. There are no needles, shock waves or other therapies that can be uncomfortable or painful. We sometimes have to wake patients when their treatment is over.

Treatments are not covered by Blue Cross or Alberta Health Care but if there is a Chiropractic component to your care (each case is different and may or may not depending on your exam findings) then Alberta Health Care will cover $25 per treatment. Each insurance policy is different so we will give you the necessary paperwork for you to check with them.

Each treatment lasts between 25 and 45 minutes depending on the severity of your neuropathy. Care plans are either 7 or 10 treatments, again this depends on the severity of your condition. We prefer to do 3 treatments per week until the completion of your plan but in some cases we can do twice per week.

Yes you can! In fact, for patients who are from out of town, we can provide a tailored treatment plan to be completed in one week.