Burning, tingling, numb feet after chemo? There's real hope.
Chemo can leave your hands and feet burning, tingling, and numb long after treatment ends. Most doctors tell you to just live with it. I see it differently. Chemo-induced neuropathy is one of the conditions I have the most success helping, and many of my patients feel a difference within the first few weeks.
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What is chemo-induced neuropathy?
Chemotherapy is designed to attack fast-growing cells, but along the way it can also damage the small peripheral nerves in your hands and feet. That nerve damage is called chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN.
It often shows up during or after treatment as numbness, tingling, or burning that starts in the toes and fingertips and creeps inward, sometimes described as a "stocking and glove" pattern. Certain chemo drugs are especially likely to cause it, and for many people the symptoms linger long after chemo is finished.
Conventional medicine usually offers little beyond medications that dull the feeling without addressing what's driving it. That's where I come in. I work directly with those affected nerves, and chemo-induced neuropathy is the type I have the most success helping.
What you're feeling
If any of this sounds like you, you're in the right place.
Numbness
Hard to feel the floor, the gas pedal, or the things in your hands.
Burning
A hot, raw feeling in the feet or hands that won't cool down.
Tingling
Constant "pins and needles" that never quite goes away.
Sharp Pain
Sudden stabbing or shooting pain, sometimes severe.
Balance Trouble
Feeling unsteady on your feet, gripping rails, afraid of falling.
Poor Sleep
Burning and tingling that flares at night and keeps you awake.
How neuropathy progresses
Nerve symptoms rarely stay still. The sooner you address them, the more we can do.
Early & Occasional
Tingling, numbness, or burning that comes and goes, often in the toes and fingertips.
More Constant
The sensations stick around and start to interfere with everyday tasks and sleep.
Daily Interference
Pain and numbness affect balance, walking, and quality of life most of the day.
Advanced
Significant loss of feeling and control. Harder to reverse, but still worth addressing.
Wherever you are on this scale, the best time to start is now. Waiting rarely makes it easier.
Chemo neuropathy is one I can actually help resolve
Here's the good news, and it's the reason this page exists. Of all the neuropathies I treat, chemo-induced neuropathy is the one I have the most success with, often completely.
What my patients tell me happens:
- The burning and tingling start easing, often within the first few weeks
- They finally sleep through the night again
- Feeling and confidence come back to their hands and feet
- They get back to the things they'd given up on
This is what I do, and I'm good at it. Come in and let's see what's possible for you.
You Beat Cancer. You Shouldn't Have to Live With This.
If a doctor has told you "there's nothing you can do" about the burning, tingling, and numbness in your hands and feet, I want you to hear me clearly. That is not true. There are options, and chemo-induced neuropathy is not something you simply have to accept. You already fought the hardest fight of your life. This should not be what you're left with.
I understand this journey personally, because I'm a cancer survivor myself. I know what treatment takes out of you, and how much it means to get your whole life back afterward. I'm Dr. Pamela Kososki, L.Ac., and for more than 14 years here in Appleton I've helped people across the Fox Valley do exactly that. You may have seen me on FOX 11 or WBAY-TV, and our community has voted us best acupuncture clinic year after year. What matters most to me, though, is what happens for you.
Here's the honest truth from my experience: of all the neuropathies I treat, chemo-induced neuropathy is by far the easiest and most responsive. My patients often respond quickly, and many experience a real reversal of their symptoms. That's why area physicians, who are often baffled by chemo neuropathy, refer their patients to me. Results vary, and my care supports your oncology team rather than replacing it, but I will sit down with you and tell you honestly what I believe is possible for your case.
And if you're going through chemo right now, please don't wait. I offer supportive care to help your body stay strong during treatment. Whether it's for you or someone you love, my door is open, and I would be honored to walk this part of the road with you.
Common questions
How soon will I feel a difference?
Everyone is different, but many of my chemo neuropathy patients notice the burning and tingling starting to ease within the first few weeks, along with better sleep.
Can chemo neuropathy really go away?
Of all the neuropathies I treat, chemo-induced neuropathy is the one I have the most success helping resolve, often completely. I'll be honest with you at your first visit about what I think is possible for your case.
Is this safe after chemo?
Yes. My approach is gentle and drug-free. I'll review your history and tailor everything to where you are in your recovery.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can schedule your first visit directly, online or by calling the office.
Where are you located?
2000 S Memorial Drive, Suite 103, Appleton, WI, serving the Fox Valley, Green Bay, Fond du Lac and beyond.
Not ready to call? Send me a message.
Tell me what you're experiencing and I'll personally follow up.
Don't spend another year numb.
Come sit down with me and find out what's possible for your hands and feet. Consultations each week are limited, so reach out today.
Individual results vary. Dr. Kososki provides supportive care for neuropathy symptoms and does not treat, cure, or replace oncology care. Always consult your physician about your treatment.