Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Reno, NV — Root-Cause Neurological Care
If you or a loved one is struggling with numbness, pain, tingling, or weakness associated with peripheral neuropathy, Gates Brain Health can help identify what’s driving it and create a targeted treatment plan. Call (775) 507-2000 today.
Request an AppointmentPeripheral neuropathy is a condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves — the vast network of nerves that carry signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When these nerves are damaged, communication breaks down, resulting in the abnormal sensations, weakness, and autonomic dysfunction that characterize peripheral neuropathy. The condition most commonly affects the hands and feet, but can involve other areas of the body as well.
Types of Peripheral Nerves Affected
Peripheral nerves serve three primary functions, and neuropathy symptoms vary based on which nerve type is affected:
- Sensory nerves: Receive sensation including temperature, pain, vibration, and touch from the skin. Damage causes numbness, tingling, burning, or hypersensitivity.
- Motor nerves: Control muscle movement. Damage causes weakness, coordination difficulties, and in severe cases, paralysis.
- Autonomic nerves: Regulate involuntary functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, sweating, and bladder function. Damage causes symptoms including dizziness upon standing, digestive issues, heat intolerance, and excessive or absent sweating.
Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes (the most common cause), traumatic injury, infections, autoimmune conditions, metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies, inherited genetic conditions, and exposure to toxins including certain medications. Many cases are classified as idiopathic — meaning no clear cause has been identified through standard testing.
This is where the Gates Brain Health approach differs. Rather than accepting an idiopathic label, Dr. Randall Gates uses comprehensive testing to investigate less commonly screened causes including autoimmune mechanisms, subclinical diabetes or insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, heavy metal toxicity, B vitamin deficiencies, and gut dysfunction — all of which can contribute to peripheral nerve damage.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
Symptoms depend on which nerve types are affected and may include:
- Gradual onset of numbness, prickling, or tingling in the feet or hands, spreading upward
- Sharp, jabbing, throbbing, or burning pain
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Pain with activities that shouldn’t cause pain (e.g., weight-bearing on the feet)
- Loss of coordination and balance, increased fall risk
- Muscle weakness
- The sensation of wearing gloves or socks when you’re not
- Bowel, bladder, or digestive problems (autonomic involvement)
- Blood pressure changes causing dizziness or lightheadedness
Treatment at Gates Brain Health
Dr. Gates uses comprehensive neurological examination, nerve function assessment, and targeted lab work to identify the drivers of your peripheral neuropathy. Treatment is individualized and may include dietary changes to address metabolic contributors, targeted supplementation (particularly B vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid, and other neuroregenerative nutrients), gut health restoration, and neuroplasticity exercises to support nerve function recovery. Learn more about related conditions including diabetes, restless leg syndrome, and our full conditions list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peripheral Neuropathy
What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nervous system — the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can affect sensory nerves (causing numbness, tingling, burning), motor nerves (causing weakness), or autonomic nerves (causing blood pressure, digestive, or bladder dysfunction). It most commonly affects the feet and hands first.
What causes peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. Other causes include autoimmune conditions, traumatic injury, infections, nutritional deficiencies (particularly B12), metabolic disorders, toxin or medication exposure, inherited conditions, and in many cases, as-yet-unidentified factors. Dr. Gates uses comprehensive testing to investigate uncommonly screened causes.
Can peripheral neuropathy be reversed?
The degree of reversibility depends on the underlying cause, the type of nerve fibers affected, and how long the neuropathy has been present. When the root cause is identified and addressed early — such as correcting nutritional deficiencies, stabilizing blood sugar, or reducing autoimmune inflammation — nerve regeneration is often possible. Long-standing severe neuropathy with significant nerve death is less reversible, but function and quality of life can still be meaningfully improved.
Is carpal tunnel syndrome a form of peripheral neuropathy?
Yes. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of mononeuropathy — damage to a single nerve (the median nerve in this case). Most people with peripheral neuropathy have polyneuropathy, which involves multiple nerves, typically beginning in the extremities. Both forms are evaluated and treated at Gates Brain Health.
What nutritional deficiencies cause peripheral neuropathy?
Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common and treatable causes of peripheral neuropathy. Deficiencies in B1 (thiamine), B6, folate, vitamin E, and copper can also damage peripheral nerves. These deficiencies can arise from poor diet, malabsorption, gut dysfunction, or long-term use of certain medications (including metformin, which depletes B12).
How does Gates Brain Health evaluate and treat peripheral neuropathy?
Dr. Gates conducts a comprehensive neurological examination, detailed blood work including metabolic, nutritional, and autoimmune panels, and nerve function assessment. Treatment is individualized based on findings and may include targeted supplementation, dietary modification, gut health restoration, blood sugar stabilization, and neuroplasticity exercises to support nerve recovery.
How do I schedule a peripheral neuropathy evaluation in Reno, NV?
Call (775) 507-2000 or request a free consultation online. Gates Brain Health is located at 5420 Kietzke Lane, Suite 209, Reno, NV . Telemedicine care is available for patients outside of Nevada.