Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy in Silver Spring, Maryland

Peripheral neuropathy presents as numbness, tingling, burning, or shooting pain that affects the hands, feet, and extremities and can be one of the most frustrating and underserved conditions in conventional medicine. The standard response is often a prescription to manage symptoms, with little hope of improvement offered. Many patients are told to simply expect it to get worse.

We take a different view. Dr. Erin Langley has completed specialized post-graduate training in the acupuncture treatment of peripheral neuropathy, and we have seen meaningful, measurable improvements in patients who had been told nothing could be done.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the peripheral nerves (those outside the brain and spinal cord) are damaged or disrupted. This damage interferes with normal nerve signaling, producing sensations that range from mild tingling to severe burning or stabbing pain, as well as numbness, hypersensitivity, muscle weakness, and balance problems.

Common causes include:

•       Diabetic neuropathy — the most common form, caused by high blood sugar damaging nerve tissue over time

•       Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN) — nerve damage as a side effect of cancer treatment

•       Post-viral neuropathy — including long COVID-related nerve symptoms

•       Idiopathic neuropathy — no identified cause, which is more common than most people realize

•       Vitamin deficiency (particularly B12, B6, and folate)

•       Autoimmune conditions — including Guillain-Barré syndrome and lupus

•       Alcohol-related neuropathy

•       Medication side effects

How Acupuncture Treats Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve regeneration and repair is slow, but it is possible, and acupuncture can support and accelerate the process. Treatment works on several levels:

From a neurological standpoint, acupuncture stimulates nerve fibers directly, promoting nerve conduction and helping to reestablish healthy signaling patterns. Research has shown that acupuncture increases local blood flow to peripheral tissues, which is critical for nerve health. Damaged nerves need oxygenated blood to heal. Acupuncture also modulates the central nervous system's processing of pain signals, which can reduce the burning and hypersensitivity even when nerve regeneration is incomplete.

In Chinese medicine, neuropathy typically involves a pattern of Qi and Blood deficiency in the channels, resulting in a failure to adequately nourish and warm the extremities. Treatment focuses on building and moving Qi and Blood in the affected channels, warming the meridians, and supporting the underlying organ systems responsible for nourishing the nerves.

Specialized Training in Neuropathy

Not all acupuncturists have specific training in neuropathy treatment. Dr. Erin Langley completed post-graduate coursework in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, which means her approach is targeted and evidence-informed.

She also completed an oncology externship at the Kaufmann Cancer Center, giving her direct clinical experience with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), one of the most difficult-to-treat forms of the condition.

What We Use for Neuropathy Treatment

In addition to acupuncture, we frequently incorporate:

•       Electro-stimulation (E-stim) — attaching a gentle electrical current to acupuncture needles is particularly effective for neuropathy, as it directly stimulates nerve tissue and promotes nerve conduction

•       Moxibustion — warming heat therapy that improves circulation to cold, numb extremities and nourishes deficient tissue

•       Chinese Herbal Medicine — formulas that support blood circulation, nerve nourishment, and underlying deficiencies that contribute to nerve damage

Realistic Expectations

Peripheral neuropathy is a challenging condition, and treatment takes time. Significant, long-standing nerve damage may not fully reverse, but many patients achieve meaningful improvements, including reduced pain intensity, improved sensation, better balance, and a significant improvement in quality of life. Progress is often gradual, and consistent treatment over several months yields the best results.

Early-stage neuropathy and CIPN tend to respond better than long-standing diabetic neuropathy. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome tends to be.

If you have a formal diagnosis, we welcome your records and will happily coordinate with your neurologist or primary care provider.

We serve patients from Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Olney, and across Montgomery County, MD.

If you or someone you love is living with neuropathy, please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk honestly about your situation, your diagnosis, and what we can realistically offer.