Chiropractic Therapy for A Pinched Nerve: Everything You Need to Know
Pinched nerves are a frequent source of pain for many people. They can begin from various causes, most commonly from overexerting the back or neck, different sports injuries, or recurring motions. They also tend to take place more often as we age, because of the natural wear and tear on our bodies.
Though the precise reason remains uncertain, it's thought that pinched nerves may occur when there's a misalignment in the spinal column. The end results may be pain, tingling feelings, sharp, shooting pains, decreased range of motion, and muscle frailty in the arms or hands on one side of your body. In this five-minute post, we take a look at exactly what a pinched nerve is and ways you can eliminate it with chiropractic care.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve develops when a nerve root comes to be compressed as it travels through a tight spot, commonly in the neck, shoulder, or upper back. This pinching can create tenderness, swelling, and discomfort in the local area served by that nerve.
A large number of activities have been proven to increase your danger of developing pinched nerves, including extended static postures (like being seated at a desk for extended periods), repeated movements (such as golf or tennis), and activities that include recurring lifting (such as working in a warehouse). Essentially, pinched nerves can happen in any part of the body where nerves travel through a small place, such as the lower back, neck, or shoulders.
Other Reasons for Pinched Nerves:
- Tight muscles due to lack of exercise
- Nerve roots passing through narrow spaces in the spine
- Arthritis
- Pain
- Repetitive motion
- Muscle strains
- Muscle spasms
- Bone spurs
- Herniated disc
- Stiff muscles
- Nerve irritation
- Spinal stenosis
- Minor injuries
- Frozen shoulder
- Disc-related neck pain
- Out of alignment muscles
- Misaligned vertebrae
- Broken vertebrae
- Cervical spine disorders
How Do You Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve?
The symptoms and signs of a pinched nerve differ depending on the location of the nerve. The most common area for a pinched nerve is the neck. When the neck is compressed, the indicators can vary from moderate to severe and may consist of discomfort, weakness, tightness, headaches, or tingling in the hands or arms. If the pinched nerve is in the shoulders or lower back, the signs and symptoms can vary from mild to intense and might also include discomfort, weakness, tightness, or tingling.
These locations are the most vulnerable to pinched nerves. If you feel any of these indicators, your medical professional or therapist might wish to take a look at you to figure out if a pinched nerve is the cause.
How Does Chiropractic Adjustment Deal With Pinched Nerves?
A chiropractic treatment plan aims to straighten the vertebrae in your spine so that they are in an ideal position, correcting any misalignments that could cause pinched nerves. This may be achieved in a number of distinct ways, but most typically via back control, spinal adjustment, or mobilization.
Back adjustment is a manual therapy technique or mechanical correction of a joint that may have been crooked or out of place. Modifications are passive motions used on a joint that is typically done with the hands, while mobilization is a more gentle and measured movement used to stretch and revitalize the joint and surrounding tissues. Depending upon your unique circumstance, your chiropractor may make use of a mix of these approaches.
Other Treatments for Pinched Nerves
Over-the-counter painkillers: If you have a mild case of a pinched nerve, non-prescription pain relievers might be a beneficial first step to ease any discomfort you're feeling.
Heat/cold packs: Delivering heat or cold packs to the afflicted area can improve swelling and discomfort, especially if the pinched nerve is in your neck.
Active Movement: Gentle muscle extensions can really help to increase flexibleness, stretch those tight muscles, and enable you to manage the discomfort of a pinched nerve. Stretching is essential when managing a pinched nerve, not only since it can help with overall flexibility but additionally because it can help you discover the cause of your discomfort.
Final Thoughts
There's no doubt that pinched nerves can be very uncomfortable and debilitating. Thankfully, there are therapies that can help relieve your discomfort and get you back to living pain-free. If you suspect you might have a pinched nerve, the smartest thing you can do is quit the activity you're doing that's causing you pain and see a physician or therapist. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can return to living your life pain-free.
Contact Country Hills Physiotherapy in Calgary NW right away and we can begin relieving your pinched nerve discomfort. Now scheduling new appointments!