Peripheral Neuropathy Care | Bel Air & Baltimore, MD | MSI
Are You Experiencing Numbness, Tingling, or Burning Sensations in Your Hands or Feet?
You're not imagining it — and you don't have to just live with it. At MSI Integrative Healthcare, we help patients across Bel Air, Harford County, White Marsh, Baltimore, and Baltimore County understand what their symptoms mean and explore natural, integrative options for neuropathy care.
Whether you've already been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy or you're noticing new symptoms and looking for answers, our team is here to evaluate where you are and build a care path designed specifically for you.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs when nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord — your peripheral nerves — are damaged or not functioning properly. These nerves are responsible for sending signals between your body and your brain, controlling sensation, movement, and automatic body functions like heart rate and digestion.
When those signals are disrupted, the result can be a range of symptoms that many people initially dismiss or misattribute to aging, circulation problems, or stress. In reality, peripheral neuropathy is a progressive condition — which means early attention matters.
Peripheral neuropathy affects an estimated 20 million Americans. It is especially common in people with diabetes, autoimmune conditions, a history of chemotherapy, or chronic inflammatory health patterns — but it can also develop without a clear cause, a condition known as idiopathic neuropathy.
Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy can present differently from person to person, and symptoms often begin subtly before becoming more disruptive to daily life. Here are some of the most common experiences patients describe when they come to MSI:
Sensory Symptoms (often the first to appear)
- Tingling, "pins and needles," or prickling sensations in the hands, feet, or legs
- Burning pain — often worse at night — starting in the feet and gradually moving upward
- Numbness or a reduced ability to feel temperature, touch, or pain in the extremities
- Sharp, stabbing, or electric shock-like nerve pain
- Hypersensitivity — even light touch from a bedsheet or sock can feel uncomfortable or painful
- A feeling of wearing an invisible glove or sock when nothing is there
Movement and Balance Symptoms
- Muscle weakness, especially in the feet and legs
- Difficulty with coordination, balance, or walking on uneven surfaces
- Frequent stumbling or unexplained falls
- Foot drop or difficulty lifting the front of the foot when walking
- Loss of fine motor skills in the hands
Autonomic Symptoms (when the nervous system's automatic functions are affected)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
- Digestive irregularities including bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- Difficulty regulating body temperature or excessive perspiration
- Bladder control changes or incomplete bladder emptying
If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms — even mildly — an evaluation may give you important information about the health of your nerves. Many patients tell us they wish they had come in sooner.
Don't Overlook Balance: A Hidden Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy
One of the most underrecognized consequences of peripheral neuropathy is its impact on balance and fall risk — particularly in older adults. When the nerves in your feet and legs aren't sending accurate signals, your body loses some of its natural ability to sense where it is in space. This is called proprioceptive loss, and it significantly increases the risk of dangerous falls.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among adults 65 and older. For seniors in the Bel Air, Towson, Abingdon, and White Marsh areas, a single fall can have serious consequences — including fractures, loss of independence, and long recovery periods.
At MSI, we include balance and fall risk screening as part of our neuropathy evaluation process. Many patients who come in for unrelated concerns discover that underlying nerve function changes may be contributing to their balance challenges — before a fall ever occurs.
Who should consider a balance screening?
- Adults 60 and older who notice changes in their gait, stability, or confidence walking
- Anyone who has had an unexplained fall in the past year
- Diabetic patients managing long-term blood sugar challenges
- Patients recovering from chemotherapy or long-term medication use
- Anyone experiencing numbness in the feet, even if mild
The MSI Approach: Understanding Your Nerves Before Jumping to Solutions
Most patients with neuropathy symptoms have already had a conversation with their primary care doctor or neurologist. They've been told their nerve damage is "typical" for their condition, prescribed medication to manage the pain, and sent home without a clear sense of what's actually happening inside their body — or what options they have beyond pharmaceuticals.
At MSI Integrative Healthcare, we start differently.
The SudoScan Sensory Evaluation: Measuring What You Feel
One of the tools we use to evaluate peripheral neuropathy is the SudoScan — a non-invasive assessment that measures electrochemical skin conductance in the hands and feet. This gives our clinical team a measurable, objective look at the degree of small fiber nerve dysfunction — data that helps us understand the severity of your condition and tailor a care plan specific to where you are.
Rather than guessing based on symptoms alone, we use real measurements to guide real decisions. Your care plan at MSI is built around your specific sensory loss assessment — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
An Integrative, Non-Medication-First Approach
At MSI, our approach to neuropathy care does not center on prescription medication as the primary answer. Instead, we look at the whole picture — nerve function data, your health history, your lifestyle, and your goals — and build a plan that may include:
- Clinical-grade shockwave therapy targeted at nerve and tissue regeneration
- Nutritional support and supplement protocols designed to support nerve health
- At-home care guidance and equipment as appropriate to your plan
- Ongoing sensory evaluations to track where you are over time
- Maintenance care programs for patients who want long-term support after completing an initial plan
MSI does not diagnose or cure peripheral neuropathy. Our evaluation and care programs are designed to assess nerve function, support overall health, and help patients make informed decisions about their care options. Individual results vary.
Care Plans Built Around You
After your initial SudoScan evaluation and clinical assessment, our team will present you with a care plan recommendation based on the severity of your findings. We offer several levels of care — from entry-level programs for early-stage symptoms to comprehensive clinical protocols for patients managing advanced nerve damage.
We also believe financial accessibility matters. MSI offers in-house financing options and maintenance membership plans so that ongoing care doesn't have to be a barrier.
Who Comes to MSI for Neuropathy Evaluation?
We see a wide range of patients at our Bel Air and White Marsh/ Overlea locations, including:
- — looking for a more comprehensive approach beyond medication management. Diabetic neuropathy patients
- — tingling, burning, or numbness with no confirmed diagnosis, who want answers. People with unexplained symptoms
- — managing nerve-related side effects from cancer treatment. Post-chemotherapy patients
- — who want to understand whether nerve changes may be affecting their balance and safety. Seniors concerned about falls
- — whose neuropathy symptoms are interfering with their job, mobility, or quality of life. Active adults and workers
- — frustrated with the conventional approach and curious about integrative options. Patients who have "tried everything"
You do not need a referral to schedule a neuropathy evaluation at MSI. If you are within 10–15 miles of our Bel Air (Harford County) or White Marsh/Baltimore County location, we welcome you to come in for an initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropathy Care at MSI
What is the difference between neuropathy and nerve pain?
Neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves themselves, while nerve pain (also called neuropathic pain) is one of the symptoms that can result from that damage. Not all neuropathy causes pain — some patients experience primarily numbness, weakness, or balance problems rather than pain.
Can peripheral neuropathy be caused by something other than diabetes?
Yes. While diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy, the condition can also result from autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), chemotherapy treatment, thyroid disorders, excessive alcohol use, and genetic conditions. In some cases, no clear cause is identified — this is called idiopathic neuropathy. An evaluation can help identify contributing factors specific to your health history.
What is a SudoScan and why does MSI use it?
The SudoScan is a non-invasive clinical device that measures electrochemical skin conductance in the hands and feet, providing an objective assessment of small fiber nerve function. At MSI, we use it to quantify the degree of sensory nerve involvement so we can build care plans based on measurable data rather than symptom description alone. It is painless and typically takes less than five minutes.
Is MSI's neuropathy program covered by insurance?
Our MSI Neuropathy program is not covered by insurance. Because the coverage of many of our other services that may be used varies by plan and by the specific services rendered. We encourage patients to contact our office directly so we can assist with a benefits inquiry. MSI also offers in-house financing and membership-based maintenance programs for patients who want to continue care beyond their initial plan.
Do I need a referral to be seen at MSI for neuropathy?
No referral is required. You can contact either our Bel Air or White Marsh/Overlea location directly to schedule an initial neuropathy evaluation. Our team will review your health history, perform appropriate assessments and comprehensive evaluation during your first visit. On the following visit, we will walk you through our findings and next step options.
How do I know if my balance problems are related to neuropathy?
Balance issues related to peripheral neuropathy typically develop gradually and are often linked to reduced sensation in the feet and legs. If you notice difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, increased reliance on handrails, or a general sense of unsteadiness — particularly if you also experience tingling or numbness in your lower extremities — a neuropathy and balance evaluation may provide important answers. MSI includes fall risk screening as part of our neuropathy assessment process.
Does MSI treat neuropathy with medication?
MSI's approach to neuropathy care does not center on prescription medication. Our clinical team uses integrative methods including shockwave therapy, clinical nutrition, and at-home care protocols alongside regular sensory evaluations. We work alongside your existing medical care team and are not a replacement for your primary care physician, neurologist, or podiatrist.
Neuropathy Evaluation Near You — Serving Harford County and Baltimore County
MSI Integrative Healthcare has two convenient locations serving patients across the greater Baltimore and Harford County region. If you live or work within 10–15 miles of either office, we may be the closest integrative neuropathy care option in your area.
MSI Integrative Healthcare — Bel Air, MD
Winters Run Professional Center 1131 Baltimore Pike, Suite 202 Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 877-8077
Serving: Bel Air, Abingdon, Fallston, Forest Hill, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Churchville, Aberdeen, Joppa, Edgewood and surrounding Harford County communities.
MSI Integrative Healthcare — Overlea / Baltimore County
7640 Belair Road Baltimore, MD 21236
Phone: (410) 882-8955
Serving: Overlea, Towson, Parkville, Nottingham, White Marsh, Rosedale, Rossville, Perry Hall, and surrounding Baltimore County communities.
Bel Air: (410) 877-8077 | White Marsh/ Overlea: (410) 882-8955