Peripheral Neuropathy

Hi Everyone! This is my first time writing in....I teach right here in Nevada City/Grass Valley. CA. 11 classes a week, mostly through Sierra Community College.

This may be a tough one. I've been asked by a leader of a support group for people with PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY to come and speak to them about "What Yoga can do for you."

Some of these folks have serious conditions, i.e., they are wheel chair bound.

Anyone out there with any experience at all in dealing with this? I would most appreciate any help. I would like to be able to give these folks some hope at the very least.

Thanks, many blessings to you all! Robert Kelaghan

BACKGROUND

Peripheral neuropathy (new-ROP-athy) is not a specific, separate disease. It is a manifestation of many conditions that can cause damage to the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nervous system includes all nerves not in the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is the nerve system used by the CNS to communicate with the rest of the body, including the cranial nerves and the nerves supplying the internal organs, muscles, skin, and other areas. Damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system impairs communication between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Symptoms depend on whether the disorder affects the sensory nerve fibers (the fibers that transmit sensory information from the affected area to the brain and spinal cord) or motor nerve fibers (the fibers that transmit impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the area) or both. Damage to sensory fibers results in changes in sensation ranging from perception of abnormal sensations, pain, decreased sensation, lack of sensation, or an inability to determine joint position sense in the area. Sensation changes usually begin in the feet or hands and progress toward the center of the body with peripheral neuropathies that include degeneration of the axon portion of the nerve cell or loss of myelin surrounding the axon.

Damage to the motor fibers impairs movement or function of the area supplied by the nerve, because impulses to the area are blocked. Impaired nervous stimulation to a muscle group results in weakness, decreased movement or control of movement. Loss of nerve function causes structural changes in muscle, bone, skin, hair, nails, and body organs. Structural changes are caused by lack of nervous stimulation, not using the affected area, immobility, and lack of weight bearing. There is muscle weakness and muscle wasting (atrophy, loss of muscle mass). Recurrent, unnoticed injury to the area may occur due to lack of ability to feel, causing injury which may result in infection or structural damage. Changes include ulcer formation, poor healing, loss of tissue mass, scarring, and deformity.

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary or semi-voluntary functions, such as control of internal organs. Damage to nerves of the autonomic nervous system causes changes in functioning of these organs, resulting in symptoms such as blurred vision, decreased ability to sweat (anhidrosis), dizziness or fainting associated with a fall in blood pressure, decreased ability to regulate body temperature, disturbances in function of the stomach or bowel, disturbances of bladder function, and sexual dysfunction.

Peripheral neuropathy may involve damage to a single nerve or nerve group (mononeuropathy) or multiple nerves (polyneuropathy). Neuropathy involves damage to the axon of the nerve cell or the myelin sheath. Causes include nerve destruction from various disorders and nerve destruction caused by pressure. Degeneration of the axon slows or blocks conduction at the point of the degeneration. Demyelination (destruction of the myelin sheath around the nerve cell) greatly decreases the speed of impulse conduction through the nerve.

ANSWERS:

From Savitri:

Hi Robert, I don¹t know what PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY is but have had a little experience in working with folks in wheelchairs, through a man who spent quite a lot of time at The Expanding Light. He now teaches yoga/meditation all over Europe, specifically to people in wheelchairs‹he¹s been in one for many years, paralysis from the waist down due to an auto accident. One thing he teaches is how to get people to have better posture in their wheelchairs, to sit up straight, not slumping forward, if at all possible (which muscles need to be strengthened to help do this, and perhaps help from some straps or pillows too). He teaches a few very simple yoga stretches and warm-up type motions using whatever muscles they can (eye/face/neck exercises and stretches for example) saying that any movement at all is better than none! But primarily and most effectively, he teaches Yogananda¹s Energization (all of them!) which he says is the most helpful thing of all for these people. For the exercises they cannot do, and this is what is most important about it, they do them mentally, consciously directing energy to the body part, imagining the tensing and relaxing and visualizing, sending light waves to all the separate body parts. And of course, pranayamas of all types are extremely beneficial and do-able for the most part. And he definitely teaches them to meditate, Hong-Sau, visualization techniques, etc. And with your lovely musical skills, you should sing to them, too, and get them to chant with you as much as possible. I know they will love this, once they get used to it. Pray a lot and you will be fine! Bless you for all you do to serve people.

Love, Savitri

Bliss Wood, RYT, LMT 1999 AYTT

Hello Robert-

I don't have very much information on peripheral neuropathy, however I just wanted to encourage you to include the general benefits of yoga. This in itself can give your group hope in feeling better....more focused, calmer and even physically, more energetic. I would perhaps, take these people through some breathing exercises...gentle and relaxed breathing. Some light stretching of the limbs....even bringing the arms out to the side and/or over their heads.....will let their bodies FEEL the benefits as you explain it as well. We tend to remember things more readily when our bodies feel it as well as our minds conceptualizing the subject.

Good luck with your talk. I would be interested in hearing more about peripheral neuropathy too.

Sincerely,

Bliss

From Karen Yula:

Greetings Robert, I too do not know much about peripheral neuropathy, but what I do know because I have it is Muscular Dystrophy. That is a nerve related disease, auto immune however YOGA CHANGED MY LIFE! I'm doing great, I graduated ATT in August of 2002 and I can't tell you enough that all of Yoga has helped to keep me healthy, walking and in great shape. I'm blessed and feel that Yoga and my connection with divine spirit keeps me positive and active. Savasana, meditation, visualizations are part of my everyday routine. Good luck and let me know how you make out.

Blessings, Karen Yula