Neuropathy Treatment in Greenville, SC
Peripheral neuropathy treatment in Greenville, SC. Dr. Hendry uses acupuncture and functional medicine to reduce numbness, tingling, and nerve pain. Call (864) 365-6156.
What Is Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the peripheral nerves — those outside the brain and spinal cord — are damaged, resulting in weakness, numbness, and pain, typically in the hands and feet. It can be caused by diabetes, chemotherapy, autoimmune conditions, vitamin deficiencies, or unknown factors (idiopathic neuropathy). Dr. Hendry has specific research experience treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) at Prisma Health.
Common Symptoms
Root Causes: A Functional Medicine Perspective
Diabetic neuropathy — the most common form — results from chronic elevated blood sugar damaging the small blood vessels that supply peripheral nerves, depriving them of oxygen and nutrients. CIPN arises from chemotherapy agents that are directly toxic to nerve axons. Autoimmune neuropathies occur when the immune system attacks myelin sheaths or nerve axons directly.
Functionally, B12 deficiency (extremely common in patients taking metformin), B6 toxicity (from excessive supplementation), vitamin D deficiency, and heavy metal exposure can all cause or worsen neuropathy. Reducing inflammation, optimizing blood sugar regulation, and ensuring adequate neurotropic nutrients creates the metabolic conditions for nerve regeneration — a slow but real process.
How We Treat Neuropathy at IHP
Dr. Hendry co-authored research on acupuncture for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy at Prisma Health, giving him particular expertise in this area. Electroacupuncture — which applies mild electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles — has been shown to improve nerve conduction velocity, reduce pain scores, and improve sensation in peripheral neuropathy patients. It appears to promote nerve regeneration by increasing nerve growth factor (NGF) expression and improving microcirculation in the nerves.
For diabetic neuropathy, Dr. Hendry's functional medicine approach addresses blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, and the mitochondrial dysfunction that underlies nerve cell damage. Combined with acupuncture, this approach provides both symptomatic relief and disease modification — slowing neuropathy progression.
Dr. Hendry's Approach
Dr. Hendry's published research on neuropathy treatment positions him uniquely among practitioners in the Greenville area. His familiarity with CIPN from his Prisma Health work, combined with his functional medicine expertise for metabolic neuropathies, allows him to develop highly specific protocols based on the patient's neuropathy type, current medications, and overall health status.