Diabetic Neuropathy and Nerve Pain In Portsmouth and Eastleigh
Active Motion Injury Clinic provides specialist treatment for diabetic neuropathy and peripheral nerve pain across our Portsmouth and Eastleigh clinics*. Using Stimpod nerve therapy alongside hands-on treatment and targeted exercise, we treat the underlying nerve dysfunction directly rather than simply masking the symptoms with medication
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*surrounding areas: Romsey, Southampton, Chandlers Ford, Winchester, Waterlooville, Chichester, Emsworth, Peterfield
What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels, most commonly affecting the feet and legs, and sometimes the hands and arms. It is one of the most common complications of diabetes, affecting an estimated 50% of people with diabetes at some point during their lifetime (Pop-Busui et al., 2017, Diabetes Care).
Reference: Pop-Busui R et al. (2017). Diabetic neuropathy: a position statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 40(1), 136-154.
High blood sugar over time damages the small blood vessels that supply the nerves, leading to progressive nerve dysfunction. The longer someone has had diabetes, and the less well controlled their blood sugar has been, the higher the risk of developing neuropathy. However, neuropathy can also develop in people with well-managed diabetes, and early symptoms are often missed or dismissed.
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is the broader term for damage or dysfunction affecting the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Diabetes is the most common cause in the UK, but peripheral neuropathy can also result from:
- Vitamin B12 or other nutritional deficiencies
- Chemotherapy treatment (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy)
- Autoimmune conditions
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Physical injury or nerve compression, including after surgery
- Certain infections
- Idiopathic causes, where no clear cause is identified despite investigation
Whatever the underlying cause, the symptoms and the treatment approach are often very similar, which is why we assess and treat each case individually rather than relying on the diagnosis label alone.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Neuropathy symptoms typically begin in the feet and progress upward over time, often described as a stocking distribution. Common symptoms include:
- Burning, tingling, or shooting pain, often worse at night
- Numbness or reduced sensation, sometimes described as feeling like wearing a sock when barefoot
- Hypersensitivity, where even light touch, socks, or bedsheets feel painful (allodynia)
- Muscle weakness, particularly in the feet and ankles
- Loss of balance or coordination, increasing the risk of falls
- Sharp, stabbing pains that come and go unpredictably
- A feeling of pins and needles that does not resolve
- In more advanced cases, wounds or ulcers on the feet that are slow to heal due to reduced sensation
Symptoms vary considerably from person to person. Some people experience mostly numbness with little pain, while others experience severe, debilitating pain with relatively little numbness. Both presentations are common and both are treatable.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Neuropathy tends to be progressive if left unaddressed, meaning symptoms generally worsen over time rather than staying the same. Importantly, nerve damage that has been present for a shorter period of time generally responds better to treatment than long-standing, severe neuropathy. This is why we encourage anyone experiencing early symptoms, even mild tingling or occasional numbness, to seek assessment rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
For people with diabetes, foot health is particularly important. Reduced sensation in the feet significantly increases the risk of unnoticed injuries, wounds, and ulcers, which can develop into serious complications if not identified early. Regular assessment and proactive management of neuropathy symptoms is an important part of overall diabetic foot care.
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How We Treat Neuropathy at Active Motion
- Thorough assessment: understanding your symptoms, medical history, and how diabetes or another underlying cause may be contributing to your neuropathy
- Stimpod nerve therapy: targeting the specific nerve pathways affected, stimulating cellular repair and reducing nerve hypersensitivity
- Red light therapy: supporting circulation and tissue health in the affected area, particularly beneficial for foot and lower limb neuropathy
- Balance and fall-prevention exercises: addressing the loss of proprioception and stability that often accompanies neuropathy
- Footwear and foot care advice: practical guidance to protect feet with reduced sensation from injury
- Education: helping you understand what is happening to your nerves and what you can do to support your own recovery
Who We Help
- People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes experiencing burning, tingling, or numbness in the feet or hands
- Anyone with unexplained nerve pain who has not yet received a clear diagnosis
- People who have tried medication for neuropathy but found the side effects difficult to tolerate or the relief insufficient
- Patients recovering from chemotherapy who are experiencing nerve pain or numbness
- People worried about falls or balance due to reduced sensation in their feet
- Anyone wanting a drug-free approach to managing nerve pain alongside their existing diabetes care
At Active Motion Injury Clinic, we work alongside your existing diabetes care, not instead of it. We always recommend you continue to attend your routine diabetic foot checks and follow your GP or diabetes team’s guidance on blood sugar management. Our treatment is designed to complement that care by addressing the nerve pain and dysfunction directly.
Diabetic Neuropathy and Nerve Pain FAQs
Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?
Nerve damage that has been present for a long time cannot always be fully reversed, but symptoms can very often be significantly improved with the right treatment, and further progression can be slowed or prevented. Earlier intervention generally produces better outcomes, which is why we encourage people to seek assessment as soon as symptoms appear rather than waiting.
Is Stimpod therapy safe for people with diabetes?
Yes. Stimpod is non-invasive, drug-free, and has an excellent safety profile. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is in fact one of the primary conditions the device was designed to treat. We will take a full medical history before starting treatment and will always work alongside your existing diabetes management.
Do I need a referral from my GP or diabetes team?
No. You can self-refer directly to Active Motion for neuropathy assessment and treatment. We are happy to liaise with your GP or diabetes team if useful, and we will always encourage you to continue with your routine diabetic care alongside our treatment.
How quickly will I notice an improvement?
Some patients notice a reduction in pain or improved sensation after their first one or two sessions. For others, particularly those with longer-standing symptoms, improvement builds gradually over a full course of treatment. We will monitor your progress closely and adjust your plan accordingly.
Can neuropathy affect my balance and increase my risk of falling?
Yes. Reduced sensation in the feet affects your ability to sense the ground beneath you, which can significantly increase the risk of trips and falls. This is one of the most important and under-recognised aspects of neuropathy. Our treatment includes balance and stability work specifically designed to address this risk.
I do not have diabetes but I have similar symptoms. Can you still help?
Yes. Peripheral neuropathy has many possible causes beyond diabetes, including vitamin deficiencies, chemotherapy, autoimmune conditions, and nerve injury. In many cases the cause remains unidentified despite investigation. Regardless of the underlying cause, our assessment and treatment approach focuses on the nerve dysfunction itself and is often equally effective.
What should I do if I notice a wound or sore on my foot that is not healing?
If you have diabetes and notice any wound, sore, blister, or area of skin breakdown on your foot, particularly if you have reduced sensation, seek medical attention promptly. Reduced sensation can mean injuries go unnoticed and untreated, which can lead to serious complications. This requires prompt medical assessment rather than waiting to be seen by us.
Can lifestyle changes help alongside treatment?
Yes. Good blood sugar control is the single most important factor in slowing the progression of diabetic neuropathy. Regular movement, not smoking, and limiting alcohol intake also support nerve health. We will discuss practical, achievable lifestyle factors as part of your treatment plan, alongside your existing diabetes care.
How much does each session cost for Neuropathy?
We offer a FREE consultation to ensure that we can help you. After hearing more about what you are currently suffering with and answering any questions you may have. A qualified practitioner will put together a tailored plan for you. The number of sessions will depend on a number of factors such as the duration of symptoms and their history.
Book a Free Consultation
If you are experiencing burning, tingling, numbness, or unexplained pain in your feet, legs, or hands, we would be happy to talk this through with you. We offer a free telephone consultation so you can discuss your symptoms with a member of our team and find out whether we can help, before committing to a course of treatment.
Call us on 023 8104 0304 or book online at activemotioninjuryclinic.co.uk