Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain, Consider the Alternatives

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By Julie Rowin, MD

Wellness and Integrative Neurology, Advanced Pain and Anesthesia Consultants, Centers for Pain Management, Westchester, Illinois, USA. Accepted 7 May 2019.


Evidence for nutritional interventions, exercise, supplements, acupuncture, and mindfulness-based practices in the treatment of neuropathic pain is encouraging. As the association between metabolic syndrome and neuropathy is increasingly recognized, diet and lifestyle interventions are becoming important components in the management of neuropathy. This article reviews the available evidence to support the safe use of complementary and alternative treatments for commonly encountered conditions associated with neuropathy and neuropathic pain. (Of note, Dr. Rowin’s view and the following treatment strategies are not universally accepted by all physicians.) AANEM Monograph, by Julie Rowin, MD.

Read more: Integrative neuromuscular medicine: Neuropathy and neuropathic pain: Consider the alternatives. [PDF]


Dr. Julie Rowin
Dr. Julie Rowin

About Dr. Julie Rowin

Dr. Julie Rowin is a board-certified neurologist, neuromuscular specialist and acupuncturist.  She completed her medical school training and Internship in Chicago at Northwestern University Medical School in 1993.  She went on to do her Residency and Fellowship training in Neurology, Neuromuscular Medicine and Electromyography at Rush University.  She was Assistant Professor of Neurology at Rush University from 1998-2004.  Then from 2004-2013, she was Associate Professor of Neurology and founding director of the MDA/ALS Center and MDA Clinics in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Rowin became interested in Functional Medicine and Acupuncture in 2012 and is currently in private practice in the Chicagoland area.  She has obtained additional board certification in Integrative Medicine and Medical Acupuncture.  She also has training in Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga.  Her holistic healing approach to the treatment of adult neurological conditions integrates nutrition, acupuncture, mind-body energetics with conventional medical management.  Dr. Rowin is a sought-after public speaker, leader, educator and author on the subject of disease prevention and integrative management of neurological and neuromuscular disease.  She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and has been involved in numerous public speaking engagements on the topic of integrative and functional medicine management of neurological and neuromuscular disease.

Footnotes

  1. Chan AS, Cheung MC, Sze SL, Leung WW, Shi D. Shaolin dan tian breathing fosters relaxed and attentive mind: a randomized controlled neuro-electrophysiological study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:180704.
  2. Anderson BE, Bliven KCH. The Use of Breathing Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic, Nonspecific Low Back Pain. J Sport Rehabil. 2017;26(5):452-458.
  3. Khng KH. A better state-of-mind: deep breathing reduces state anxiety and enhances test performance through regulating test cognitions in children. ogn Emot. 2017;31(7):1502-1510.