Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Diabetic neuropathy is a common and often debilitating complication of diabetes, resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels that damage the nerves—most frequently in the legs and feet. This nerve damage can cause a range of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, burning pain, and muscle weakness. In more severe cases, it may also affect the nerves that regulate vital organ functions, leading to digestive issues or changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, our experienced team understands the complex nature of diabetic neuropathy and the significant impact it can have on your daily life. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

We offer a range of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services specifically designed for neuropathic pain, including:

• Thorough Evaluation: Comprehensive assessments to determine the extent and type of nerve involvement.
• Personalized Treatment Plans: Utilizing the latest evidence-based therapies, from medications and physical therapy to interventional procedures.
• Advanced Pain Management: Options such as nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and other minimally invasive techniques to target persistent neuropathic pain.
• Patient Education: Guidance on lifestyle modifications, blood sugar control, and strategies to prevent further nerve damage.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy often develop gradually and can manifest in various ways, depending on the nerves affected. Many patients experience numbness, tingling, or burning sensations—most frequently in the hands and feet. Some report sharp, jabbing pain or heightened sensitivity to touch, which can make even light contact, such as a bedsheet, feel uncomfortable. Muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and problems with coordination are also common and can impact daily activities.

In addition to pain, diabetic neuropathy can cause digestive issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Some individuals may experience dizziness when standing up quickly due to changes in blood pressure, as well as complications with bladder control or sexual function.

Diabetic neuropathy, often resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels, typically affects the nerves in the feet and legs, causing symptoms such as burning, tingling, or shooting pain.

The primary strategies for treating diabetic neuropathy focus on tight blood sugar control and medications like gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine, as well as topical therapies such as capsaicin or lidocaine patches. However, for patients whose symptoms remain severe despite these treatments, our team offers advanced interventional options, including nerve blocks and targeted injections.

How Nerve Blocks and Injections Can Help

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, nerve blocks and injections are utilized as part of a comprehensive pain management plan for selected patients. These procedures involve injecting anesthetic medications—sometimes combined with steroids—near specific nerves or nerve clusters responsible for transmitting pain signals. This targeted approach can interrupt pain and provide significant, though typically temporary, relief that may last for weeks or even months.

When Are Nerve Blocks Appropriate?

Nerve blocks and injections are generally reserved for patients with diabetic neuropathy who have not experienced adequate relief from conventional treatments, or who have pain that is localized and suitable for targeted intervention. While these procedures do not treat the underlying cause of diabetic neuropathy or stop its progression, they can be an important part of an individualized pain management strategy, helping patients regain function and improve their quality of life.

Our Expertise and Patient Safety

As with any medical procedure, nerve blocks and injections carry some risks, including infection, bleeding, allergic reactions, or nerve injury. At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, our pain management physicians have specialized training in performing these injections safely and effectively, using the latest techniques and imaging guidance when appropriate.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we understand that the timeline for improvement with diabetic neuropathy treatment can vary from patient to patient. Most individuals notice some relief from symptoms—such as pain, tingling, or numbness—within a few weeks to a few months after beginning a personalized treatment plan at our clinic.

Our team’s primary goals are to help you control blood sugar levels, manage neuropathic pain, and prevent further nerve damage. For patients who are able to maintain strict blood glucose control, research has shown that improvements in nerve function and symptoms can become noticeable after about three to six months. This is because nerves heal slowly, and effective glucose management prevents ongoing damage while giving the body time to repair.

At Comprehensive Pain Specialists, we may prescribe medications specifically for nerve pain—including certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or topical treatments—that can provide more rapid symptom relief, often within days to weeks. While these medications can ease pain and discomfort, it’s important to remember they do not reverse underlying nerve damage.

Our comprehensive approach also includes lifestyle guidance, such as recommendations for regular exercise, a balanced diet, and smoking cessation. While these changes are essential for long-term improvement, it may take several months before significant benefits are fully realized.

It’s important to understand that while many patients experience symptom improvement, complete reversal of neuropathy is uncommon—especially if nerve damage has been present for years. Our specialists will work closely with you to monitor your progress, adjust your treatment plan as needed, and ensure your care is tailored to your unique needs.

Diabetic Neuropathy requires a specialized and compassionate approach. Our expert team, led by Dr. Youssef Josephson, DO, and including experienced staff like Jillian Viercinski, MSN, CRNP, focuses exclusively on diagnosing, managing, and treating a wide spectrum of chronic pain conditions, making us specialists in addressing persistent nerve pain.

We prioritize creating a truly individualized treatment plan for every patient. Leveraging advanced, evidence-based procedures—such as various types of targeted nerve blocks, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS), or Radiofrequency Ablation—we aim to reduce your discomfort, help you regain optimal functioning, and improve your daily living. If you are seeking relief from the burning, tingling, or shooting pain of Diabetic Neuropathy, our commitment is to provide expert, long-term care focused on your unique journey to wellness.

If you have questions about your treatment timeline or are concerned about your progress, our team at Comprehensive Pain Specialists is here to support you every step of the way. Schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and let us help you achieve the best possible outcome. For more information, contact us. We are located at 1177 PA-315, Dolphin Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. We serve patients from Wilkes-Barre PA, Glen Lyon PA, Dallas PA, Pittston PA, Mountain Top PA, Plymouth PA, and surrounding areas.