What Exactly is the Peripheral Nervous System?
The nervous system of the body comprises of two parts: the central nervous system, or the CNS, which includes the spinal cord and the brain. The peripheral nervous system comprises of the nerves that run from the spinal cord and the brain to the rest of the body, such as the hands and arms, the feet and legs, the joints, the internal organs and also the skin, nose, ears, eyes, and mouth. When these nerves are destroyed or damaged and lose their ability of sending messages from the brain and the spinal cord to the other parts of the body, it results in peripheral neuropathy. Since the peripheral nerves run from the brain and the spinal cord to the hands, arms, feet and legs, when they are damaged it leads to pain and numbness to these areas. Peripheral neuropathy generally begins with tingling, prickling, or numbness in the fingers or toes. It can spread to the hands or feet and cause shooting pain, throbbing, freezing, or burning sensations, which often worsen at night. These symptoms
