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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
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MICROVASCULAR THERAPY FOR
NEUROPATHY:
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
By: Dr. Joseph Mejia, DO, FAAPMR
Neuropathy is a general term for
diseases that cause damage to the
nerves outside of the brain and
spinal cord. The most common
types of neuropathies are diabetic,
peripheral and post-chemotherapy
neuropathy. Even though there are
several different types of neuropa-
thy, it is theorized that decreased
oxygen levels in nervous system tis-
sues plays an important role in
most types of neuropathy cases.
The reason for decreased oxygen
levels will vary based on which type
of neuropathy you are diagnosed
with, a subject we will explore fur-
ther in another article. Decreased
blood flow and oxygen levels put
severe stress on the tissues causing
them to “shut down”.
Symptoms of neuropathy depend
on the type of nerves affected;
motor, sensory, autonomic, and
where the nerves are located in the
body. One or more types of nerves
may be affected. Common symp-
toms associated with damage to
the motor nerves include muscle
weakness, cramps, and spasms.
Loss of balance and coordination
may also occur. Damage to the sen-
sory nerve can produce tingling,
numbness, and pain. Pain associat-
ed with this nerve is described in
various ways such as the following:
sensation of wearing an invisible
“
glove” or “sock,” burning, freez-
ing, electric-like, and extreme sensi-
tivity to touch.
Until recently the only treatment
option for this condition has been
long term use of Lyrica, which has
yielded mixed results as well as
side effects. Many pharmacological
solutions seek chemical agents that
work on selected mechanisms to
increase blood flow to the nerves.
MicroVas Therapy is a FDA cleared
physical medicine modality that
addresses the problem from a dif-
ferent perspective. MicroVas Thera-
py works directly and mechanically
to move blood to the area of dys-
function via neuromuscular stimula-
tion. The MicroVas Therapy System
was developed for the millions of
patients who are suffering from this
debilitating condition and who have
not responded to drug therapy or
looking for an alternative or even in
some cases adjunctive to their cur-
rent approach to treatment.
The MicroVas Vascular Treatment
System should not be confused
with traditional Electrical Muscle
Stimulation, which uses small elec-
trodes that are placed on the same
side of the limb or body. Electric
stimulation only penetrates the tis-
sue a few centimeters generating a
fraction of the muscle action and
circulation generated by the
MicroVas System. MicroVas uses
large emitter pads placed 180
degrees from each other in groups
of 8 pairs and can be placed direct-
ly on the limbs. Powerful ionic puls-
es pass through the limb or body
creating circulation in the entire
treatment area eliciting a superior
contractile response from the mus-
cle. However, the greatest differ-
ence is improved outcomes for the
patients undergoing treatment.
To date, we have treated dozens of
cases with excellent results. This
technology is not for all patients
suffering from neuropathy. Only a
thorough examination by a medical
physician trained in MicroVas Ther-
apy can determine if you are a can-
didate for treatment. A typical
treatment takes approximately 45
minutes and is painless; some
patients even fall asleep during the
treatment. A clinical trial of 12
treatments is administered fol-
lowed by a re-examination by one
of the physicians.
If you are interested in MicroVas
Treatment please visit the
Neuropathy and Balance Center
at Performance Rehabilitation. To
learn more please visit us online at
www.performancerehabnj.com or
call 908-731-6951.
www.theconnectionsnj.com
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