One million people receive chemotherapy annually in America. And it's estimated that around 300,000 of those who are newly treated end up with chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy that lasts six months or more.

That means people experience nerve damage that can cause tingling, persistent numbness, and/or sharp nerve pain that inhibits walking. It can also cause life-threatening falls.

Fortunately, new information suggests that getting neuromuscular training while undergoing chemotherapy can reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy by 50% to 70%.

A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at the benefits of 15 to 30 minutes of whole-body vibration (WBV) — which has you stand, sit, or lie on a vibrating platform that forces your muscles to contract and relax dozens of times a second — and sensorimotor training (SMT), a form of core-specific stability exercises.

Among those undergoing WBV, 14 of 34 experienced peripheral neuropathy. In the SMT group, it was 12 of 40. But in the usual-care group, 24 of 34 developed peripheral neuropathy.

SMT was especially effective for maintaining balance, sense of touch, lower leg strength, and for pain reduction. Patients receiving chemo with vinca alkaloids and SMT benefited the most.

If you're headed for or already getting chemotherapy, ask your oncologist about SMT or WBV. Using a stationary bike, treadmill, or elliptical leg exerciser at home may also prove beneficial.

When you walk away from cancer — along with the other 20 million survivors in the U.S. — you want to have every step be as comfortable and safe as possible.