Regaining feeling, balance, and confidence after chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) — one step at a time.
Many people don’t realize physical therapy can help with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) — the numbness, tingling, and balance problems it causes.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) develops when certain chemotherapy drugs — including taxanes, platinum-based agents, and vinca alkaloids — damage the nerves in the hands and feet. It affects an estimated 30–50% of patients receiving these treatments, often causing numbness, tingling, burning pain, and weakness in a stocking-and-glove pattern that can last long after treatment ends.
Because CIPN doesn’t have a standardized treatment protocol, we’ve built our own evidence-informed program — combining exercise, manual therapy, and dry needling — to address the specific pattern of symptoms each patient experiences.
We help with:
- ✓ Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- ✓ Burning or shooting nerve pain
- ✓ Balance problems and falls
- ✓ Reduced sensation and proprioception
- ✓ Muscle weakness in the hands or feet
- ✓ Difficulty with fine motor tasks (buttons, zippers, writing)
- ✓ Gait changes and foot drop
- ✓ Grip strength loss
- ✓ Cramping
- ✓ Difficulty with stairs or uneven surfaces
- ✓ Fear of falling
- ✓ Returning to daily activities and exercise
Exercise Therapy for CIPN
Exercise is one of the most well-studied tools we have for managing CIPN. Research shows that a combination of balance, strength, and aerobic exercise can meaningfully reduce numbness and tingling, ease nerve pain, and improve balance and quality of life, while also supporting nerve health during and after treatment. We build an individualized program around your specific deficits, whether that’s steadying your balance, rebuilding grip strength, or easing back into the activities you enjoy. Learn more about Exercise Oncology →
Manual Therapy for CIPN
Nerves that have been irritated by chemotherapy don’t always move the way they should. Our therapists use manual therapy and neural mobilization techniques to gently restore normal nerve gliding and reduce the tension that can contribute to pain, tightness, and altered sensation in the hands and feet.
Dry Needling
For patients who need more than exercise and manual therapy alone, we may add dry needling, a technique that uses thin filiform needles to target irritated nerves and surrounding soft tissue. Early research on this approach for CIPN is promising, with patients reporting improved sensation and reduced pain when it’s combined with nerve mobilization. We use dry needling as one part of a broader plan, never as a stand-alone fix.
Ready to get started? Contact Geaux Fight today, we’re here to help at every stage of your journey.
FAQs
CIPN is nerve damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs, most often taxanes, platinum-based agents (like oxaliplatin and cisplatin), and vinca alkaloids. It typically causes numbness, tingling, burning pain, and weakness in the hands and feet, and affects an estimated 30–50% of people receiving these treatments.
Yes. While physical therapy can’t reverse nerve damage itself, research shows that targeted exercise and manual therapy can meaningfully reduce CIPN symptoms — including numbness, tingling, and pain — while improving balance, strength, and quality of life.
Dry needling can be used safely during and after treatment for most patients, though we screen carefully for factors like low blood counts, lymphedema risk, and skin changes before including it in your plan. We always tailor treatment to where you are in your cancer journey.
As soon as symptoms appear. Early intervention tends to prevent symptoms from worsening and helps you maintain strength, balance, and independence throughout treatment.