IV Infusion Therapy and Chiropractic Care for Neuropathy in El Paso

Abstract

Neuropathy can cause burning pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and balance problems. Because nerve pain has many possible causes, no single treatment works for every patient. IV infusion therapy may help certain people by calming abnormal pain signals, correcting a proven nutrient shortage, or treating an immune system problem affecting the nerves. Integrative chiropractic care may support treatment by improving movement, reducing mechanical stress, and guiding safe rehabilitation.

These treatments do not automatically repair permanent nerve damage. Their main goals are to reduce symptoms, improve function, and address treatable factors contributing to the condition. A careful medical evaluation is needed before IV lidocaine, ketamine, intravenous immunoglobulin, or vitamin infusions are considered.

What Is Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged or irritated. These nerves carry information between the brain, spinal cord, muscles, skin, and internal organs.

Common symptoms include:

Burning, electric, or stabbing pain
Tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling
Numbness in the feet or hands
Muscle weakness
Poor balance
Sensitivity to light touch
Reduced ability to feel heat, cold, or injuries
Changes in sweating, digestion, blood pressure, or bladder function

Neuropathy is not one single disease. It may be connected to diabetes, chemotherapy, autoimmune disease, alcohol use, infections, poor circulation, physical trauma, kidney disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, or excessive vitamin B6 intake. Some patients have more than one cause at the same time (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS], n.d.; Gupta et al., 2021).

Finding the cause is one of the most important parts of treatment. An infusion that is helpful for an immune-related nerve disorder may not help neuropathy caused by uncontrolled diabetes, nerve compression, or a toxic medication.

How IV Infusion Therapy May Help Nerve Pain

IV infusion therapy delivers medication, fluids, or selected nutrients directly into a vein. This route allows the treatment to enter the bloodstream without first passing through the digestive system.

For neuropathy and nerve pain, the type of infusion should be based on the patient’s diagnosis. Commonly discussed treatments include:

Intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG
IV lidocaine
IV ketamine
Carefully selected vitamins or nutrients
Hydration and electrolyte support when medically needed

IV infusion therapy is not a general cure for numbness or tingling. Each infusion has different uses, risks, and levels of scientific support.

IVIG for Immune-Mediated Neuropathy

Intravenous immunoglobulin is made from antibodies collected from screened human plasma. It changes how parts of the immune system behave.

IVIG may be used for certain immune-mediated nerve conditions, including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, commonly called CIDP. In CIDP, the immune system attacks the protective covering around peripheral nerves. This can lead to weakness, loss of reflexes, numbness, and difficulty walking.

Clinical guidelines strongly recommend IVIG or corticosteroids as initial treatment options for typical CIDP and several CIDP variants. IVIG may also be considered a first treatment for motor CIDP (Van den Bergh et al., 2021).

However, IVIG is not effective for every form of neuropathy. A randomized clinical trial studied IVIG in patients with painful idiopathic small-fiber neuropathy. In this condition, no clear cause had been found. IVIG did not significantly reduce pain compared with a placebo (Geerts et al., 2021).

This difference is important. IVIG may be appropriate when testing supports an immune-mediated disorder. It should not be promoted as a routine treatment for all cases of peripheral neuropathy.

IV Lidocaine for Persistent Neuropathic Pain

Lidocaine is best known as a local anesthetic. When given through an IV under medical supervision, it may temporarily reduce abnormal nerve signaling.

Neuropathic pain can involve changes in sodium channels located on nerve cells. These channels help nerves produce electrical signals. IV lidocaine blocks certain sodium channels and may decrease the repeated firing of pain signals.

Research suggests that some patients experience short-term relief after IV lidocaine. The length and strength of relief vary. Some studies have reported improvement lasting only during the infusion, while others have reported relief lasting days or several weeks. Other trials have found little difference compared with placebo treatment (Gupta et al., 2021).

IV lidocaine does not rebuild a damaged nerve. Its purpose is to interrupt pain signaling and help reduce symptoms.

Possible reactions may include:

Dizziness
Nausea
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears
Low blood pressure
Changes in heart rhythm
Confusion or tremors

Serious reactions, including seizures or dangerous heart rhythm changes, are uncommon but possible. Because of these risks, IV lidocaine should be given in a properly monitored medical setting.

Ketamine Infusions for Difficult Nerve Pain

Ketamine affects N-methyl-D-aspartate, or NMDA, receptors in the nervous system. These receptors can become involved in pain sensitization. Sensitization occurs when the nervous system remains overly reactive even after the original injury has healed.

Low-dose IV ketamine may be considered for selected patients with severe neuropathic pain that has not responded to standard treatment. Research reviews have found that ketamine may provide short-term pain reduction for some people with chronic neuropathic pain. However, treatment protocols vary, and long-term results remain uncertain (Pereira et al., 2022; McMullin et al., 2022).

Ketamine may cause:

Nausea
Increased blood pressure or heart rate
Sleepiness
Dizziness
Changes in vision
Unusual thoughts or sensations
Feelings of disconnection from the surroundings

Patients should be screened for heart, liver, psychiatric, medication, and substance-use concerns before treatment. Ketamine should be administered only by qualified medical professionals using suitable monitoring.

Can Vitamin Infusions Treat Neuropathy?

Vitamin replacement may help when a true deficiency is contributing to nerve problems. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a recognized cause of neuropathy. Patients with poor absorption, certain digestive disorders, restricted diets, or long-term use of some medications may be at greater risk.

However, more vitamins are not always better. Excessive vitamin B6 can cause sensory neuropathy and problems with coordination. Nutrient infusions should therefore be based on symptoms, medical history, medications, and laboratory findings rather than a standard wellness formula (NINDS, n.d.; National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, 2023).

A responsible evaluation may include testing for:

Vitamin B12
Folate
Vitamin B6 when appropriate
Blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C
Thyroid function
Kidney and liver function
Blood count
Inflammation or autoimmune markers
Medication-related nutrient problems

Correcting a shortage may prevent further injury and support normal nerve function. It may not fully reverse nerve damage that has been present for a long time.

How Integrative Chiropractic Care Fits Into Treatment

Chiropractic care does not treat an autoimmune disease with an adjustment, and it cannot replace medical treatment for diabetic, toxic, infectious, or chemotherapy-related neuropathy.

Its role is mainly mechanical and functional.

A patient with neuropathy may also have joint stiffness, spinal pain, muscle tightness, poor posture, altered walking patterns, or irritation around a nerve. Reduced feeling in the feet may also cause the person to move differently, placing more pressure on the knees, hips, pelvis, and lower back.

Depending on the examination, integrative chiropractic care may include:

Gentle spinal or joint mobilization
Soft-tissue therapy
Posture and movement correction
Nerve-gliding exercises
Balance and coordination training
Strengthening exercises
Walking and gait retraining
Education about safe activity
Rehabilitation after an accident or injury

Evidence-based chiropractic guidelines support using manual care as one part of a broader plan for chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the evidence that spinal manipulation directly heals peripheral neuropathy remains limited (Hawk et al., 2020).

The safest goal is not to promise nerve regeneration. The goal is to reduce additional mechanical stress, preserve mobility, improve balance, and help the patient function more comfortably.

Combining IV Infusions and Chiropractic Rehabilitation

IV infusion therapy and chiropractic care work on different parts of the problem.

An infusion may temporarily calm pain signaling, treat an immune disorder, or correct a confirmed nutrient deficiency. Chiropractic and rehabilitation services may address joint movement, muscle control, posture, balance, and physical conditioning.

A coordinated treatment plan may follow these steps:

Identify the cause.
The team reviews medical history, laboratory tests, medications, imaging, and nerve studies.
Address urgent medical risks.
Uncontrolled diabetes, infection, medication toxicity, circulation problems, or autoimmune disease must receive proper medical attention.
Select the infusion carefully.
IVIG, lidocaine, ketamine, or nutrients should be selected only when the expected benefit fits the diagnosis.
Reduce mechanical stress.
Chiropractic care may address painful joints, tight muscles, reduced mobility, or movement patterns that are adding stress.
Rebuild function.
Rehabilitation can improve strength, balance, walking ability, and confidence.
Measure progress.
The team tracks pain, numbness, strength, sleep, balance, activity, and the patient’s ability to complete daily tasks.

Multidisciplinary Care at Injury Medical Clinic PA

At Injury Medical Clinic PA in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CCST, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, works within a multidisciplinary model that combines chiropractic care, functional medicine, personal injury care, rehabilitation, nutrition, and medically coordinated services.

His published clinical observations emphasize evaluating the whole person rather than focusing on one painful area. This includes considering spinal and joint mechanics, metabolic health, inflammation, nutrition, prior trauma, physical conditioning, and the patient’s daily activities. His practice information also describes coordinated chiropractic, nurse practitioner, rehabilitation, and functional medicine services.

Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, board-certified in internal medicine, serves as the medical director and collaborative physician. Public provider records identify her NPI as 1164426748, and clinic materials list Texas medical license J2933. She has more than 40 years of internal medicine experience.

Within this team model:

Dr. Cardenas provides internal medicine experience and medical direction.
Dr. Jimenez evaluates neuromusculoskeletal problems and provides chiropractic and functional care within his professional scope.
The rehabilitation team works on strength, movement, balance, and safe return to activity.
Medical referrals may be made to neurology, pain management, rheumatology, endocrinology, vascular care, or other specialists when needed.

This kind of coordination can be especially valuable when a patient has both nerve pain and other concerns, such as diabetes, a spinal injury, medication risks, nutritional problems, or reduced mobility.

When Neuropathy Requires Urgent Attention

Immediate medical evaluation is needed when numbness or weakness develops suddenly or rapidly becomes worse.

Warning signs include:

New loss of bladder or bowel control
Numbness around the groin or inner thighs
Sudden weakness on one side
Trouble speaking
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Rapidly spreading weakness
New inability to walk
A severely infected foot wound
Chest pain or fainting
Loss of feeling after a major accident

These problems should not be treated with routine IV wellness therapy or spinal manipulation before serious causes have been ruled out.

Final Thoughts

IV infusion therapy may help manage certain types of neuropathy and nerve pain, but the correct treatment depends on the cause.

IVIG may help immune-mediated disorders such as CIDP. IV lidocaine and ketamine may temporarily reduce severe pain signaling in selected patients. Vitamin treatment is most reasonable when testing confirms a shortage or another clear medical need.

Integrative chiropractic care may support the plan by addressing joint movement, muscle tension, balance, posture, and physical function. It should not be presented as a cure for damaged peripheral nerves.

The best results are more likely when patients receive a clear diagnosis, proper medical oversight, realistic expectations, and coordinated rehabilitation.

References

Geerts, M., de Greef, B. T. A., Sopacua, M., van Kuijk, S. M. J., Hoeijmakers, J. G. J., Faber, C. G., & Merkies, I. S. J. (2021). Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with painful idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. Neurology, 96(20), e2534–e2545. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000011919

Gupta, H., Patel, A., Eswani, Z., Moore, P., & Lee, C. (2021). Role of intravenous lidocaine infusion in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. Orthopedic Reviews, 13(2), 25567. https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.25567

Hawk, C., Whalen, W., Farabaugh, R. J., Daniels, C. J., Minkalis, A. L., Taylor, D. N., Anderson, D., Anderson, K., Crivelli, L. S., Cark, M., Barlow, E., Paris, D., & Sarnat, R. L. (2020). Best practices for chiropractic management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: A clinical practice guideline. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(10), 884–901.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez: Chiropractic, functional medicine, and personal injury care.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alexander Jimenez professional profile. LinkedIn.

McMullin, P. R., Hynes, A. T., Arefin, M. A., Saeed, M., Gandhavadi, S., Arefin, N., & Eckmann, M. S. (2022). Infusion therapy in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 26(9), 693–699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-022-01071-5

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Peripheral neuropathy.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2023). Vitamin B6: Fact sheet for health professionals.

Pereira, J. E. G., et al. (2022). Efficacy and safety of ketamine in the treatment of neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Van den Bergh, P. Y. K., van Doorn, P. A., Hadden, R. D. M., Avau, B., Vankrunkelsven, P., Allen, J. A., Attarian, S., Blomkwist-Markens, P. H., Cornblath, D. R., Eftimov, F., Goedee, H. S., Harbo, T., Kuwabara, S., Lewis, R. A., Lunn, M. P., Nobile-Orazio, E., Querol, L., Rajabally, Y. A., Sommer, C., & Topaloglu, H. A. (2021). European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 26(3), 242–268.