Shooting pain in the hands or feet or tingling in hands and feet may be signs of nerve  interference known as peripheral neuropathy. 

The treatment options and prognosis of peripheral neuopathies relies heavily on the origin of the nerve damage.   For example, vitamin deficiencies can be stopped or even reversed if early intervention takes place.   Nerve damage can be induced by trauma, aluminum toxicity, diabetes and alcohol abuse.   

Statin drugs are prescribed for millions of Americans to lower cholesterol.   Like all dugs, they have their negative side effects.   In this case, these side effects can be debilitating.   According to a report in a recent issue of  The Scientific Journal of Neurology, statins can increase the risk of damage to the peripheral nerves, causing weakness, numbness and pain in the hands and feet leading to peripheral neuropathy. 

Early diagnosis and treatment of perhiperal neuropathy is important because the peripheral nerves have a limited capacity to regenerate.  

There is a new therapy technique available that uses light to bring energy to the nerve tissue and speeds healing and encourages nerve regeneration.   This therapy is cold laser. 

The results of a study in 2004 which is detailed in the Journal of Endocrine Practice, demonstrated reduced sensory impairment in patients with peripheral neuropathies after the use of cold laser.     Symptomatic reversal of peripheral neuropathies were  demonstrated in patients with diabetes in another article in the Journal of American Podiatry Medical Association in 2002 with use of the low level laser.