I have long motor nerve dysfunction that does not create any type of pain. It does create problems with balance. I cannot for the life of me do a heel/toe walk without falling over. This is different than a short or sensory nerve dysfunction I'd like to point out. Spinal stenosis can also cause weakness without pain. Have you seen a neurologist for nerve testing?

Hello! (@arlengrossman)

I'm in a similar situation. I've had balance issues for years, going back maybe ten years. They began as brief and only occasional episodes (five minutes, every fourth or fifth day). As I was dealing at the time with mild hypertension, I blamed the episodes on blood pressure fluctuations. As the years passed, hypertension came under control, but my balance worsened: longer episodes, more frequent occurrences. Still, I had no pain, no tingling or numbness, either. Finally, I met with a neurologist one year ago this month (August 2022). He administered an EMG and diagnosed idiopathic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy. That's where things stand at the moment. Poor balance remains my No. 1 issue. Although the EMG revealed I had numbness in my feet, I'm not so aware of the numbness that I think about as I go about my day. I walk cautiously, carrying a cane if I'm going to unfamiliar places. I made a note of your mentioning acupuncture and an 80% improvement. That's considerable. Are you doing PT, too? Any added medications, prescriptions, or supplements? My neurologist has asked me to try EB-N5, a mega-supplement. (I've received several thoughtful posts warning me of the dangers of too much B-6.) I meet next with my neurologist on 8/8. I plan to ask him about B-6, among other things, also if he thinks I might benefit from acupuncture. Thanks for posting!

Ray (@ray666)

I have mostly numbness, not traditional "pain." I was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy--we believe it's both sensory and autonomic. (Small fiber nerves affect sensation, pressure, and temperature, and also control autonomic processes like digestion.)

Small fiber neuropathy isn't supposed to cause actual muscle weakness, but it can impair balance because of well, the numbness, and sometimes I have the sensation of weakness because of the numbness. I used to also get tingling, but it's improved that now my baseline pain is what I call "the absence of sensation."

I'm glad you found some relief with acupunture with the electro-stimulation. It sounds kind of scary, but I tried it once and it really wasn't. I didn't get relief from that specifically, but I did feel better with acupuncture. That, gentle yoga, minimizing gluten (there's some research to suggest there may be a link between gluten sensitivity and idiopathic small fiber neuropathy, but not everyone benefits), and physical therapy focused on graded motor imagery (GMI).

From what everyone is saying, I'm leaning more than ever toward giving acupuncture a try. I can't see what I've got to lose. Some years ago, before my PN diagnosis, I'd been referred to PT because of what was then thought to be the typical balance deterioration that comes with aging. The therapist gave me a series of TENS sessions. I don't remember these TENS sessions doing much to improve my balance. By the way, I can do a heel/toe walk––but slowly! And it's not a pretty sight. 😀 ––Ray (@ray666)

Lucky to avoid the pain angle. I have balance issues but I do have some pain as well as tingling . My calf muscles also cramp at times and I do get pain up my leg(s)...my right is worse than my left. Acupuncture didn't help at all. Im wondering if I should go back for more PT

@johnbishop John, I've mentioned a few times that my heel to toe ability to walk stopped like somebody hit a light switch. All of a sudden, left foot started slapping, then the right and then the tripping started. In a few months, I was prescribed AFO's which eliminate the drop foot and more so, help me with my balance. At first, I sort of resisted the idea having to wear the AFO's. Without them on, I need a cane and I walk like I have flippers on my feet lifting knees high to walk. With them on, quite different. I have all numbness and no pain with Mayo suspecting I have both small and large fiber. I just want to mention what is helping me. Ed

Where was this electoral stimulation done at? In acupuncture? Than you, Pat

@arlengrossman, you will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on neuropathy with members who also discuss not having pain. You can find your post here:
- Neuropathy: Numbness only, no pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-numbness-only-no-pain/

Since you aren't feeling pain, what improvements are you noticing from acupuncture?