What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is progressive nerve damage caused by years of insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar. Roughly half of all people with diabetes develop it, and untreated it leads to chronic pain, loss of balance, non-healing wounds, and in advanced cases amputation. The most common form — distal symmetric polyneuropathy — begins in the toes and works its way up the legs, eventually affecting the hands.
Why blood sugar control isn't enough
A1C control slows nerve damage but rarely reverses it. The reason is metabolic: insulin-resistant nerve cells still cannot pull glucose across the cell membrane, so they remain starved of energy even when blood sugar looks normal on a lab report. This is why so many patients with "well-controlled" diabetes continue to lose sensation year after year.
Medications like gabapentin, pregabalin, and duloxetine numb the pain signal — they do nothing to repair the nerve. Symptoms come back the moment the dose wears off.
How PIR therapy reverses the damage
Physiologic Insulin Resensitization (PIR) delivers insulin in physiologic pulses through a precision IV infusion, mimicking how a healthy pancreas releases it. Over weeks of treatment this re-trains cells to respond to insulin, restoring the metabolism nerves need to repair themselves.
Peer-reviewed case series have documented reversal of pain, numbness, and tingling, along with reduced reliance on neuropathy medications and improved A1C — all without significant side effects.
What to expect from your treatment plan
After a thorough intake, baseline labs, and a nerve function exam, most patients begin a 2–3 visit-per-week protocol for 8–12 weeks. Each session takes about an hour. We pair PIR with Class IV laser, shockwave, red light, and vibration therapy to maximize nerve regeneration and circulation.
Frequently asked questions
What is diabetic neuropathy?+
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by chronically elevated blood sugar and insulin resistance. It most often affects the feet and legs (peripheral neuropathy) but can also impact the hands, digestive tract, bladder, heart, and sexual function (autonomic neuropathy).
What are the early warning signs of diabetic neuropathy?+
Early symptoms include tingling, burning, numbness, or a 'pins and needles' feeling in the feet, sharp shooting pains at night, loss of balance, sensitivity to touch, and slow-healing wounds. Many patients also report cold or 'wooden' feeling feet before pain begins.
Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?+
Conventional medications like gabapentin and pregabalin only mask symptoms. Physiologic Insulin Resensitization (PIR) targets the underlying metabolic cause — insulin resistance — and has been shown in peer-reviewed case series to reverse symptoms and restore nerve function in a majority of patients who complete the program.
How long does it take to see results from PIR?+
Most patients notice reduced pain and improved sensation within 4–6 weeks. A full course runs 8–12 weeks with treatment 2–3 times per week. Patients with longer-standing nerve damage may need extended maintenance therapy.
Is PIR covered by Medicare or insurance?+
Medicare and most major insurance plans cover PIR therapy when it is medically necessary. Our team verifies benefits before you start treatment so you know your exact out-of-pocket cost in advance.
What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic neuropathy?+
Both types cause nerve damage through the same metabolic mechanism — cells cannot use glucose efficiently. PIR is effective for both, though treatment protocols differ. Type 1 patients still produce no insulin, but PIR restores their cells' ability to respond to it.
Can I do PIR if I'm on insulin already?+
Yes. PIR is delivered through a precise IV infusion that mimics natural pancreatic insulin pulses — it complements, not replaces, your existing insulin regimen. As insulin sensitivity returns, many patients are able to reduce their insulin and oral diabetes medications under physician supervision.
What complementary therapies help diabetic neuropathy?+
Alongside PIR, we use Class IV laser therapy, shockwave therapy, red light therapy, vibration plates, and nerve-supportive nutraceuticals. Together they accelerate nerve regeneration, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation in damaged tissue.