Educational information only - not medical advice. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy, not a substitute for medical care. Acupuncture needles are FDA-regulated Class II medical devices. Always consult your physician.
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This website is currently provided as an educational community resource. Ronen Rosenblatt-Nir is not offering acupuncture services in Florida at this time, pending state licensure recognition. Content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
Person holding a foot with highlighted nerve pain — acupuncture for peripheral neuropathy in Boca Raton by Ronen Rosenblatt Nir

Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy — the burning, tingling, numbness, and stabbing pain that often begins in the feet or hands — can be one of the most frustrating conditions to live with, in part because conventional options are limited and the side effects of nerve medications are difficult for many patients. Acupuncture, and especially electroacupuncture , offers a drug-free approach that many patients...

~20M+
people in the US are estimated to have some form of peripheral neuropathy (NIH / NINDS)
~50%
of people with diabetes develop neuropathy over time (NIDDK)
30–70%
of chemotherapy patients experience CIPN (Seretny et al., Pain, 2014)

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves — the nerves that carry signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. It most often affects the longest nerves first, which is why symptoms usually begin in the feet and hands in a "stocking and glove" pattern. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to burning pain, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, and balance problems.

Medical diagram of peripheral neuropathy showing pain, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet with nerve cell and Schwann cells detail — acupuncture for neuropathy Boca Raton, Ronen Rosenblatt Nir
Peripheral neuropathy typically affects the longest nerves first, producing the classic "stocking and glove" pattern in the feet and hands.

Common causes

Cause Notes
Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) The most common cause; high blood sugar damages small nerves over time
Chemotherapy (CIPN) Certain chemo drugs damage nerves, often in the hands and feet
Nerve compression or injury Trauma, surgery, or pressure on a nerve
Vitamin deficiencies Especially B12; also thyroid and autoimmune conditions
Idiopathic In many cases no single cause is identified

Common symptoms

Numbness & tingling

Often the first sign, usually starting in the toes or fingertips and gradually spreading.

Burning or stabbing pain

Frequently worse at night; can range from mild to severe and disrupt sleep.

Weakness & balance problems

Reduced sensation in the feet makes balance harder, increasing the risk of falls.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Cancer patient receiving chemotherapy treatment in a clinic chair — acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy CIPN in Boca Raton by Ronen Rosenblatt Nir

For patients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and distressing side effect — numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet that can persist long after treatment ends. Acupuncture is one of the most-studied complementary approaches for CIPN, and may help manage these symptoms alongside oncology care. We always coordinate respectfully with your oncology team. If you are receiving cancer care, contact us to discuss whether acupuncture is appropriate for your situation.

A 2020 randomized controlled trial found acupuncture reduced CIPN symptoms in cancer survivors compared to usual care (Bao T. et al., JAMA Network Open; and Molassiotis et al., 2019). Evidence is growing but not yet conclusive. Individual results may vary.

How acupuncture may help

Research suggests acupuncture and electroacupuncture may help neuropathy through several mechanisms:

Benefit Mechanism
Improved circulation May increase blood flow to the small nerves of the hands and feet, supporting nerve health
Nerve stimulation Electroacupuncture directly stimulates affected nerve pathways
Pain modulation Endorphin release and changes in how pain signals are processed
Reduced inflammation May lower inflammatory activity contributing to nerve irritation

A systematic review found acupuncture may improve symptoms and nerve conduction in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (Dimitrova A. et al., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2017). Evidence is encouraging but further high-quality trials are needed. Individual results may vary.

Our approach

Treatment uses advanced acupuncture techniques alongside classical Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and electroacupuncture, which is especially valuable for nerve conditions. Because neuropathy affects the small nerves of the extremities, treatment focuses on restoring circulation and nerve signaling to the hands and feet, while also addressing any underlying patterns of imbalance. Individual results may vary.

What to expect

Treatment is typically recommended twice weekly at first. I use the first 4 sessions as a clinical assessment — most patients notice meaningful change within this period. Neuropathy often requires a longer, consistent course because nerve tissue recovers slowly; once improvement is established, frequency is reduced gradually, with maintenance sessions to preserve results.

Important — work with your medical team

Peripheral neuropathy can be a sign of an underlying condition (such as diabetes or a vitamin deficiency) that needs medical management. Acupuncture is a complementary approach and works best alongside your physician's care — not as a replacement. Seek prompt medical attention for sudden weakness, rapidly spreading numbness, or loss of bladder/bowel control.

Sources: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) — neuropathy prevalence; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) — diabetic neuropathy; Seretny M. et al., "Incidence, prevalence, and predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy," Pain, 2014; Dimitrova A. et al., "Acupuncture for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2017; Molassiotis A. et al., 2019; Bao T. et al., JAMA Network Open, 2020.

What the research says

Peripheral neuropathy — whether from diabetes, chemotherapy, or idiopathic causes — is an active area of acupuncture research, with controlled trials showing meaningful symptomatic benefit.

  1. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Chen et al., Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013) found acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved nerve conduction velocity in diabetic peripheral neuropathy compared to medication alone, across 8 RCTs.
  2. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): A randomized trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering (Bao et al., JAMA Oncology, 2020) found acupuncture significantly reduced CIPN symptoms compared to sham, with improvements in pain, numbness, and tingling maintained at follow-up.
  3. Mechanism: Acupuncture may support peripheral nerve function through local microcirculation improvement, anti-inflammatory cytokine modulation, and neurotrophin release — all of which are relevant to neuropathic pain. Individual results may vary.

Acupuncture is a complementary option for neuropathy alongside medical management. Progressive or worsening neuropathy warrants ongoing neurological evaluation. Individual results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy

How many sessions will I need for neuropathy?
I use the first 4 sessions as a clinical assessment — most patients notice some change within this period. Because nerves recover slowly, neuropathy generally responds best to a consistent course — often around 10 sessions — followed by periodic maintenance treatments to help preserve results. Acupuncture may help with chronic, long-standing neuropathy as well, not only recent cases. Every case is different, and the plan is tailored to your response.
Will my neuropathy symptoms go away completely?
That varies from person to person, and no outcome can be guaranteed. Many patients experience meaningful relief from burning, tingling, and pain. Some patients who came to me with neuropathy so severe it was deeply affecting their quality of life — pain they found almost unbearable to live with — have reported that, following treatment, their symptoms became far more manageable and much easier to live with. Some have reported that their symptoms resolved, typically while continuing with periodic maintenance treatments to sustain the improvement. Results depend on the underlying cause and how long the neuropathy has been present. Individual results may vary, and acupuncture is a complementary therapy used alongside your medical care.
I have neuropathy from chemotherapy — is it safe to get acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the most-studied complementary approaches for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN). It can usually be done safely during and after cancer treatment, with appropriate precautions, and we always coordinate with your oncology team. Timing around treatment cycles and blood counts is considered carefully.
Does electroacupuncture hurt?
No — the electrical stimulation is gentle and adjustable. Most patients feel a mild, comfortable pulsing sensation. For nerve conditions, this added stimulation may offer benefit beyond needles alone.
Do you accept insurance for neuropathy acupuncture?
We are a self-pay practice and do not bill insurance directly. Upon request, we can provide a superbill — an itemized receipt with the codes insurers require — which you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan. Acupuncture is also an eligible expense for most HSA and FSA accounts. Contact us with questions.