An Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine Practice

An Interventional Pain & Sports
Medicine Practice

a pill tray filled with pills and capsules

A Root-Cause Approach at Barr Center in Virginia Beach

Diagram labeled Peripheral Neuropathy showing a human body silhouette with the nervous system highlighted. Red areas on the arms and legs indicate common locations where symptoms occur. Beside it, a neuron illustration shows damage along the nerve fiber. A list describes symptoms such as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, cramps, increased sensitivity, problems with urination or glands, sweating issues, gastrointestinal problems, and muscle shrinking.

If you are searching for natural supplements for neuropathy relief, research and clinical experience suggest that certain nutrients, including alpha-lipoic acid, palmitoylethanolamide, methylated B vitamins, and magnesium, may support nerve health.

At Barr Center for Innovative Pain & Regenerative Therapies in Virginia Beach, we evaluate neuropathy from a cellular and mitochondrial perspective to help personalize treatment strategies.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that affects the peripheral nervous system and commonly causes:

  • Burning pain
  • Tingling
  • Numbness
  • Electric sensations
  • Muscle weakness
  • Balance difficulty

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that causes numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness, typically in the feet and hands.

Supporting nerve repair involves more than symptom suppression. It also means improving underlying cellular health.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid for Neuropathy

Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, is an antioxidant that supports mitochondrial energy production.

Potential Benefits of ALA

  • Reduces oxidative stress
  • Improves microcirculation
  • Supports glucose metabolism
  • May reduce burning and tingling sensations

ALA has been studied extensively in diabetic neuropathy.

Alpha-lipoic acid may help reduce neuropathy symptoms by supporting mitochondrial function and decreasing oxidative stress in nerve cells.

Palmitoylethanolamide for Nerve Pain

Palmitoylethanolamide, or PEA, is a naturally occurring fatty acid amide that may help modulate neuroinflammation.

How PEA May Help

  • Calms overactive pain signaling
  • Helps regulate mast cells
  • Reduces inflammatory cascades
  • May improve chronic neuropathic pain

PEA is often well tolerated and may complement other treatment strategies.

B Vitamins and Nerve Repair

Certain B vitamins are important for nerve structure and function.

Key Nutrients

Vitamin B12

  • Essential for myelin sheath protection
  • Deficiency can directly contribute to neuropathy

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine or Benfotiamine)

  • Supports glucose metabolism in nerve cells
  • May help in diabetic neuropathy

Vitamin B6

  • Supports neurotransmitter balance
  • Must be used carefully because excessive doses can worsen neuropathy

B vitamins, especially B12 and B1, are important for nerve repair and myelin integrity and are often foundational in neuropathy support.

The Importance of Magnesium in Neuropathy

Magnesium is often overlooked, but it plays an important role in nerve health.

Why Magnesium Matters

  • Regulates nerve conduction
  • Calms excitatory neurotransmission
  • Supports muscle relaxation
  • Improves mitochondrial ATP production
  • Reduces oxidative stress
  • Helps stabilize blood sugar

Low magnesium levels may contribute to:

  • Muscle cramping
  • Nerve hyperexcitability
  • Increased pain sensitivity
  • Poor sleep
  • Fatigue

Magnesium supports nerve function by helping regulate electrical signaling, reduce nerve hyperexcitability, and support mitochondrial energy production.

Magnesium may be especially helpful in patients with:

  • Burning pain
  • Muscle cramping
  • Restless legs
  • Stress-related symptom flares
  • Insulin resistance

Forms such as magnesium glycinate, threonate, or malate are often better tolerated than magnesium oxide.

Why Mitochondrial Support Matters

Nerves are energy-demanding tissues. Mitochondrial dysfunction can contribute to:

  • Increased nerve sensitivity
  • Slower nerve repair
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Persistent neuropathic pain

Supporting mitochondrial health with nutrients such as ALA, magnesium, and B vitamins may help improve nerve resilience.

A Comprehensive Neuropathy Evaluation at Barr Center

At Barr Center, supplementation is individualized based on:

  • Laboratory evaluation
  • Metabolic health
  • Blood sugar control
  • Nerve testing
  • Thyroid function
  • Nutritional status
  • Structural contributors such as nerve entrapment or radiculopathy

Neuropathy treatment should address both systemic and mechanical causes.

Important Considerations

  • High-dose vitamin B6 can worsen neuropathy if not properly monitored.
  • ALA may affect blood sugar and should be supervised in diabetic patients.
  • Magnesium dosing should be personalized to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal side effects.
  • Supplements should complement, not replace, proper diagnosis.

Always consult your physician before starting new supplements.

Neuropathy Treatment in Virginia Beach

If you are searching for the best supplements for neuropathy, ALA for nerve pain, PEA for neuropathy, magnesium for nerve pain, or B12 deficiency neuropathy treatment, Barr Center offers a comprehensive, root-cause approach designed to support nerve function and improve quality of life.

Key Takeaway

Supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid, palmitoylethanolamide, B vitamins, and magnesium may support nerve repair by improving mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress, and calming nerve overactivity. Effective neuropathy care still requires accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.

At Barr Center for Innovative Pain & Regenerative Therapies in Virginia Beach, we integrate nutritional science, precision diagnostics, and regenerative strategies to help patients move toward better nerve health.

INNOVATIVE PAIN & REGENERATIVE THERAPIES
INNOVATIVE PAIN & REGENERATIVE THERAPIES
Expert care for spine, joint, nerve, sports injuries, and chronic pain.

Find Relief From the Conditions Holding You Back

Dr. Lisa Barr is a leading pain management physician in Virginia Beach with over 35 years of experience diagnosing and treating spine, joint, nerve, and musculoskeletal pain. As a Board Certified PM&R specialist, she focuses on whole-body, non-surgical solutions that uncover the true root cause of pain. She is also the international bestselling author of Outsmart Your Pain and one of the region’s most experienced experts in regenerative medicine, PRP, and advanced biologic therapies.

Spinal Conditions
  • Neck Pain
  • Mid Back Pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • Pelvic Pain
  • SacroiIiac Joint Pain
  • Hypermobility
  • Myofascial Pain
    • Trigger Point
      injections
    • What is Sarapin?
  • Fibromyalgia
  • EOS/Hypermobility
    Syndrome
  • Autoimmunity
    • LDN (Low dose
      Natrexone)
    • Testing
  • Prolotherapy
  • Neuroprolotherapy
  • Neural Therapy
  • Cold Laser
  • Entrapment Neuropathy
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • Radial & Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
    • Lower Extremity Entrapment
    • Occipital Neuritis
  • Scar Tissue
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
    • Fatty Acid Testing & Specialized Therapies
    • Cold Laser
    • Nutritional Support
  • Neck Pain
  • Mid Back Pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • Pelvic Pain
  • SacroiIiac Joint Pain
  • Hypermobility
  • Inner Arsenal
  • Vagus Nerve Support
  • Power over Pain Mindset
  • Breathing Practices
Resources

Chronic Pain Management Articles

Barr Center Video Playlist

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OVERVIEW

The Barr Center for Innovative Pain and Regenerative Therapies, led by Dr. Lisa Barr, is dedicated to helping people in pain. With over forty years of experience, Dr. Barr and her staff offer a range of evaluation and treatment options, including osteopathic assessment, trigger point injections, prolotherapy, and regenerative therapies. They prioritize a caring atmosphere and involve patients in their own care, ensuring they understand the recommended treatments. If necessary, they collaborate with other professionals to provide a comprehensive approach. Dr. Barr’s expertise has been recognized with the Top Doc award for thirty years.

FAQ

Pain Management and Treatment

The Barr Center for Innovative Pain & Regenerative Therapies is located at:

933 First Colonial Road, Suite 200
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Phone: 757-578-2260
Email: info@BarrCenter.com

Monday–Thursday: 8:30 am–5:00 pm

Friday: Closed (note: physician on call)

Not always. Some insurance plans—especially HMOs—require a referral before seeing a specialist. To confirm what your specific plan requires, call your insurance provider or contact our office at 757-578-2260.

We accept most major insurance plans (except Medicaid). If your plan requires a referral or pre-authorization to see a specialist, you will need one for your first visit. After your initial consultation, our office obtains any future pre-authorizations, sometimes with assistance from your referring provider. Visit our Patient Resources page for details.

Yes. We offer telemedicine visits for certain appointment types, including follow-up visits and treatment discussions. Some procedures require in-office evaluation, and our team will help determine whether a virtual visit is appropriate.

Conditions and Treatment Questions

Led by pain management specialist Lisa Barr, M.D., the Barr Center provides comprehensive musculoskeletal and pain treatments including:

• Acupuncture
• Mind-body medicine and lifestyle optimization
• Interventional spinal procedures
• Sports medicine
• Physical therapy
• Regenerative medicine (PRP, prolotherapy)

We treat a wide range of pain and musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Neck, shoulder, hip, back, and knee pain
• Sports injuries and repetitive strain conditions
• Posture, sleep, and movement-related pain
• Car accident injuries, including whiplash

Our approach provides proven alternatives to surgery and long-term medications through targeted injections, hands-on physical therapy, acupuncture, lifestyle guidance, and regenerative medicine.

If your pain is persistent, recurring, or limiting daily activities, it is time for an evaluation. We assess how your joints move, how your muscles function, and whether lifestyle factors are contributing to your symptoms.

We offer a comprehensive, root-cause approach to pain in a boutique practice setting.

Our team is highly specialized, and we combine interventional pain medicine, regenerative therapies, physical therapy, and whole-person care—all under one roof.

Our team includes board-certified physicians, licensed physical therapists, regenerative medicine specialists, acupuncture providers, and experienced clinical support staff with focused expertise in musculoskeletal medicine and pain management.

Preparing for your First Appointment

To help make your first visit efficient, please bring:

• Photo ID
• Insurance card
• Referral (if required by your insurance)
• Completed new-patient paperwork
• Co-pay, if applicable

If you have MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or lab results, please have your referring provider fax them to our office. You may also download our Medical Records Request Form to expedite the process.

Experiencing Pain? Reach Out For Medication-Free Treatment