Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

Neuropathy is one of the most important foot conditions to take seriously — not just because of the discomfort, but because numb feet are vulnerable feet. A small cut or blister you can’t feel can become a serious wound. The goal of care is twofold: ease your symptoms and protect your feet from complications.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that carry signals between your feet and your brain. It usually starts in the toes and feet (a “stocking” distribution) and can affect sensation, and sometimes balance and muscle control.

Common causes

• Diabetes — by far the most common cause; high blood sugar damages small nerves over time.
• Other causes — vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol use, certain medications (including some chemotherapy and statins), thyroid disease, nerve compression, and idiopathic (no identified cause).

Identifying the underlying cause matters, because treating it can slow or halt further nerve damage.

Symptoms

• Burning, tingling, or “pins and needles”
• Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain/temperature
• Sharp, electric, or shooting pains
• Sensitivity to touch; feeling like you’re walking on cushions
• Balance problems or weakness in more advanced cases

Why neuropathy is dangerous for your feet

When you can’t feel your feet, you can’t feel the warning signs — a blister, a stone in your shoe, a small cut. These can progress to ulcers and infections before you notice. This is why people with neuropathy need regular professional foot care and daily self-inspection; prevention is far easier than treating a wound.

How we diagnose it

We assess sensation (10-gram monofilament and vibration testing), check circulation and reflexes, review your history and medications, and order bloodwork or further testing when a cause needs to be identified. This tells us the severity and guides both symptom relief and protection.

Treatment options

Treat the underlying cause

Optimizing blood sugar, correcting vitamin deficiencies, addressing medications or alcohol, and managing thyroid or vascular issues can slow progression — the single most important long-term step.

Symptom and pain management

Options include topical agents, nerve-targeted medications (such as gabapentin or duloxetine when appropriate), and advanced in-office therapies. We offer MLS laser therapy and other modalities that can reduce neuropathic pain for suitable patients, coordinated with your primary care or specialist.

Protective foot care

Regular podiatric exams, professional nail and callus care, diabetic/therapeutic shoes and custom inserts to offload pressure, and patient education on daily inspection. (See diabetic foot care and custom orthotics.)

Living with neuropathy: daily tips

• Inspect your feet every day (use a mirror or ask for help); call us about any sore, blister, or color change.
• Never go barefoot; check inside shoes before putting them on.
• Keep skin moisturized (avoid between the toes); test water temperature with your hand, not your feet.
• Don’t perform “bathroom surgery” on corns or nails — let us do it safely.

Why patients choose Balance Foot & Ankle

Dr. Tom Biernacki, Dr. Carl Jay, and Dr. Daria Gutkin are board-certified and rated 4.9 stars by Michigan patients on Google, with deep experience preventing diabetic foot complications. We treat the symptoms and protect your feet — the part that prevents emergencies.

Visit us — two Michigan offices

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell
4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
Livingston County · (810) 206-1402
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:30 PM · Free on-site parking

Balance Foot & Ankle — Bloomfield
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Oakland County · (810) 206-1402
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–4:30 PM · Serving Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Troy & West Bloomfield

Request your neuropathy evaluation →

Frequently asked questions

Can neuropathy in the feet be reversed?

Established nerve damage usually can’t be fully reversed, but progression can often be slowed or halted by treating the underlying cause (especially blood-sugar control), and symptoms can be meaningfully reduced. Some patients see real improvement in comfort with a proper plan.

What does neuropathy in the feet feel like?

Commonly burning, tingling, “pins and needles,” numbness, or sharp shooting pains — often starting in the toes. Some people feel like they’re walking on cushions or have trouble sensing the ground.

How often should someone with neuropathy see a podiatrist?

At least every 6 months for neuropathy without other risk factors, and every 1–3 months if you also have circulation problems, foot deformity, or a history of ulcers. Regular care is how we catch problems before they become wounds.

Does Medicare cover neuropathy foot care?

Medicare covers diabetic foot exams and therapeutic shoes/inserts for qualifying patients, and evaluation of neuropathy. We verify your benefits and explain coverage before your visit.

Do I need a referral?

No — podiatrists are direct-access providers in Michigan, so you can book directly even if your plan usually requires a referral.