Peripheral Neuropathy — Korean Medicine for Numbness and Altered Sensation

Hands and feet feel numb and unusual

Peripheral neuropathy typically begins at the fingertips and toes and gradually moves upward, with characteristic numbness, burning, tingling, and reduced sensation. Major causes include diabetes, chemotherapy (cisplatin, vincristine, etc.), alcohol abuse, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Korean medicine diagnosis: stagnation of qi and blood (氣血瘀阻)

• Qi deficiency with blood stasis (氣虛血瘀): Weak qi cannot drive blood circulation → reduced peripheral blood flow → numbness
• Cold-damp obstruction (寒濕凝滯): Cold and dampness block the meridians → cold, heavy numbness
• Yin deficiency (陰虛): Insufficient body fluids fail to nourish the nerves → burning numbness

Treatment

• Danggui-sini-tang (當歸四逆湯): A representative formula for numb extremities — Danggui nourishes blood while Guizhi promotes circulation
• Buyang-huanwu-tang: For severe qi deficiency with blood stasis — large doses of Astragalus tonify qi while invigorating blood
• Acupuncture: Bafeng (between the toes) and Baxie (between the fingers) directly promote peripheral circulation
• Pharmacopuncture and bee venom: Applied to acupoints near the numb area to create an environment that supports nerve regeneration

Cause-specific management is essential

• Diabetic: Glycemic control is the most important factor in halting nerve damage progression
• Post-chemotherapy: Often improves gradually over 6–12 months after chemotherapy ends
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: Combine supplementation with Korean medicine treatment