Neuropatias Periféricas: o que são e tratamento em Lisboa

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES - Treatment in Lisbon

Specialised diagnosis, pain treatment and neurological rehabilitation of the peripheral nervous system in Lisbon

WHAT ARE PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES?

Diagnóstico e tratamento de neuropatias periféricas — NeuroPsyque Lisboa

When the body's "communication cables" fail

Peripheral neuropathies are a group of conditions in which the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord - the peripheral nervous system - are damaged or stop working properly. These nerves are the "cables" that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body: they carry orders from the brain to the muscles and return sensory information (touch, temperature, pain, position) back to the brain. When they fail, the result can be intense pain, muscle weakness, loss of sensation or changes in the body's automatic functions.

How it manifests itself in everyday life

Neuropathic Pain
Sensations of burning, electric shock, "needles" or persistent tingling - often more intense at night, and disproportionate to the stimulus that triggers them.
Loss or Alteration of Sensitivity
Numbness, insensitivity to heat and cold, or a feeling of "walking in thick socks" even with bare feet, compromising balance and the perception of one's own body.
Muscle weakness and atrophy
Difficulty in performing tasks that require strength or fine coordination - such as climbing stairs, holding objects or maintaining balance when walking - which can evolve into visible loss of muscle mass.
Autonomic dysfunction
When the nerves that control automatic functions are affected: changes in heart rate, hypotension when standing up, digestive dysfunction or changes in sweating.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Diabetes Mellitus

The most common cause of acquired (non-genetic) peripheral neuropathy. Chronically high levels of glycaemia slowly damage the vessels that feed the nerves, causing so-called diabetic neuropathy - typically beginning in the lower extremities.

Metabolic

Drug or Substance Toxicity

Certain drugs, antibiotics and excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can be neurotoxic, directly damaging peripheral nerve fibres with a pattern that is often reversible (treatable) once exposure is stopped.

Toxic

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases

The immune system can mistakenly attack the peripheral nerves, as happens in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (acute) or Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). These are treatable conditions when identified early.

Autoimmune

Genetic, Nutritional and Other Causes

Deficiencies of B vitamins (especially B12), hereditary neuropathies (such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease), viral infections or mechanical nerve compression are other common causes that require different therapeutic approaches.

Multifactorial

Diagnóstico diferencial de neuropatias periféricas — NeuroPsyque

Identifying the underlying cause is the most important step: treatment is radically different depending on the origin of the neuropathy.

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EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF NEUROPATHIES

Results based on precise diagnosis, control of the cause and integrated neurological rehabilitation

70%

of patients with neuropathy of treatable cause (e.g. B12 deficiency, autoimmune) experience significant improvement after targeted intervention

50%

reduction in the intensity of neuropathic pain with multimodal protocols combining pharmacotherapy and non-invasive neuromodulation

3×

preservation of motor function is more effective when neurological rehabilitation is started in the first 6 months after diagnosis

80%

of patients with well-controlled diabetic neuropathy avoid progression to severe functional loss with regular specialised monitoring

* Values based on reference clinical literature on the treatment of peripheral neuropathies and neurological rehabilitation.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT

Avaliação neurológica especializada em neuropatias periféricas

Estimulação Magnética Transcraniana (EMT) no controlo da dor neuropática

tDCS e neuromodulação não-invasiva no tratamento da neuropatia

Neuromodulação e terapia complementar para neuropatias periféricas

Mapeamento Cerebral (qEEG) e diagnóstico neurológico diferencial

Salas de Terapia e Reabilitação Neurológica — NeuroPsyque

Espaço Clínico NeuroPsyque — Tratamento de Neuropatias em Lisboa

WHY EARLY DIAGNOSIS CHANGES EVERYTHING

One of the biggest pitfalls of peripheral neuropathies is the normalisation of symptoms. Many patients spend months or years attributing the tingling, numbness or weakness to "tiredness", "ageing" or a "bad sleeping position". Meanwhile, the nerves continue to be damaged - and the window for a more complete recovery is closing.

💡 Peripheral nerves have some capacity for regeneration, but this process is slow and depends critically on time. Nerves don't recover as quickly as other tissues (such as muscles or skin). The sooner the cause is identified and treated, the greater the likelihood of functional recovery and effective pain control.

At NeuroPsyque, the assessment of peripheral neuropathies begins with a rigorous diagnosis to identify the cause and extent of nerve damage - using electroneuromyography, neuropsychological assessment and complementary analyses when necessary. The therapeutic plan is then designed specifically for each patient: control of the underlying cause, pharmacological pain management, non-invasive neuromodulation protocols (EMT or tDCS) to modulate pain circuits, and physical and neurological rehabilitation to preserve and recover motor and sensory function.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's on Peripheral Neuropathies

Is tingling in the feet always a sign of neuropathy?

Not necessarily - a position held for too long can cause transient tingling, which disappears when you move. The warning sign is persistence: tingling, numbness or "burning" that appears regularly, progresses to other areas, or wakes the person up at night, are symptoms that warrant neurological assessment. Early identification is key to preventing reversible damage from becoming permanent.

Can diabetic neuropathy be cured?

Diabetic neuropathy cannot be cured in the sense of completely reversing the damage that has already been done, but it can be stabilised and managed with great efficiency. Strict glycaemic control is the most important pillar for halting progression. Therapeutic intervention to control pain and neurological rehabilitation make it possible to preserve quality of life and prevent serious complications such as diabetic foot.

What is the difference between neuropathy and radiculopathy (sciatica)?

Radiculopathy results from the compression of a nerve root near the spine (as in "sciatica"), causing pain that radiates along the path of that specific nerve (to the legs). Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the nerves themselves, usually in a symmetrical pattern starting in the extremities. Although the symptoms may be similar, the causes and treatments are different - hence the importance of a thorough neurological diagnosis.

How can neuromodulation (EMT/tDCS) help with neuropathy?

In neuropathic pain, the problem isn't just the damaged nerve - it's also the way the brain processes and amplifies that pain signal. A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (EMT) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) act directly on the cortical circuits that modulate pain perception and can significantly reduce its intensity and improve quality of life, complementing pharmacological treatment without its systemic side effects. To book an assessment consultation (Neurology), contact us.

What tests are done to diagnose neuropathy?

The reference test is the electroneuromyography (ENMG), The neuropathy test, which assesses nerve conduction velocity and muscle electrical activity, can confirm the presence of neuropathy and classify its type (axonal vs. demyelinating). In addition, blood tests are requested to identify metabolic, toxic or autoimmune causes, and a neuropsychological assessment can be carried out to document the functional impact.

Can peripheral neuropathy affect internal organs?

Yes - when the fibres of the autonomic nervous system are affected (autonomic neuropathy), changes can occur in the regulation of blood pressure, gastric emptying, intestinal function or sweating. This form of neuropathy is more common in long-standing diabetic patients and requires a specific clinical approach. Talk to us for a full assessment.