Have you noticed a shooting pain running down your back and legs? You likely have a pinched or compressed nerve. It’s a condition that is fairly common across the United States. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it affects around 85 out of 100,000 adults yearly.
What causes this condition? Can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve? Read on to find out.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve happens when surrounding tissues or a herniated disc compresses a nerve. It’s one of the most common causes of neck and back pain. However, it can also happen in other parts of the body.
The Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
Pinched nerves always present similar symptoms regardless of where they happen in your body. Some of the most common signs of a pinched nerve include:
- Numbness
- Tingling (like with pins and needles)
- General muscle weakness
- Feeling like the affected part is in some form of hibernation
- Pain radiating from the affected area to other parts of the body
The Causes of a Pinched Nerve
Why does a pinched nerve happen in the first place? Is it natural? Firstly, it’s not natural. If you have pinched nerves, there’s an underlying cause. Some of these causes include the following.
Herniated Discs
Disc herniation happens when there’s a tear in your spinal disc’s outer layer. This will cause the gel-like cushion in the discs to protrude, compressing any surrounding nerves. The result is that signature excruciating pain and all the other common symptoms.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs form due to wear and tear on the spine. Contrary to what you might instinctively believe, the “spurs” aren’t sharp and spiky. They are usually rounded and smooth. When they grow long enough, they can squeeze your nerves.
Unfortunately, most people get these spinal spurs as they age. By age 70, 95% of men and women will have them, according to Spine-Health. However, according to Healthline, only 40% of people over 60 will develop symptoms severe enough to warrant visiting a doctor.
Spinal Stenosis
Your spinal canal can narrow as you age or after you suffer injury. It may also happen in people living with arthritis. The narrowing means less room for nerve roots and the spinal cord, which can lead to pinched nerves and all the other symptoms.
Poor Posture
Do you slouch or hunch over a desk or mobile device for long periods? That posture can cause significant pressure on your spine and the nerves around it. Do it long enough, and the misalignments will get large enough to cause pinched nerves.
Unfortunately, 75% of the world’s population hunch over their phones and other devices for hours each day, according to PubMed Central.
Repetitive Movement
You may develop pinched nerves over time if you do repetitive movement as part of your daily activities (for example, working on an assembly line).
How To Treat a Pinched Nerve
Most people suffering from a pinched nerve don’t need any form of treatment to recover. Sometimes, rest is enough to stop the irritation and inflammation. Medical practitioners may sometimes recommend painkillers, ice/heat therapy, and other such remedies.
They may also recommend physical therapy to strengthen the affected nerve.
When none of those work or in repetitive cases, your doctor may recommend surgery.
However, more people are turning to non-invasive approaches for pinched nerve treatment, such as chiropractic care.
How Can a Chiropractor Help With a Pinched Nerve?
Chiropractors understand the relationship between your nervous system and your musculoskeletal system. They treat musculoskeletal issues by correcting misalignments.
Spinal misalignments are one of the chief causes of a pinched nerve. Therefore, chiropractors are among the most qualified healthcare practitioners to see when you have pinched nerves.
Chiropractors treat pinched nerves in different ways, including the following.
Adjustments
There are different types of adjustments a chiropractor can make. They include the following:
- The lumbar side posture adjustment
- The seated diversified adjustment
- The Thompson drop-table approach
- Knee-chest adjustments
- Flexion distraction
Soft Tissue Therapy
This therapy works best when muscle tension and inflammation are the main cause of the pinched nerves. The core elements of soft tissue therapy are myofascial release and deep tissue massage.
TENS Therapy
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses low-voltage electrical current to stimulate nerves and deal with pain.
Stretching Exercises
These exercises aim to elongate any tight muscles and connective tissues that may be responsible for the pinched nerve. Your chiropractor will likely recommend dynamic or static stretches or a little bit of both, depending on what you need.
Cold Laser Therapy
During this therapy, the chiropractor will use a handheld device that emits low-level laser light to address the nerve pain.
See a Chiropractor for Long-Term Relief From a Pinched Nerve
For instant relief from your pinched nerve pain, turn to the experts at Comprehensive Healthcare Group.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Contact Comprehensive Healthcare Group at (516) 764-7760 (Oceanside clinic) or (516) 593-7990 (Valley Stream clinic) to schedule a consultation.
Experience the advantages of chiropractic treatment today.
FAQs
How Can I Avoid Getting Pinched Nerves
You can avoid a pinched nerve by getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and maintaining a good posture when sitting or lying down. You should also remind yourself to take breaks when doing repetitive tasks.
Is Chiropractic Treatment for a Pinched Nerve Painful?
Chiropractic treatment for a pinched nerve is not painful. Experienced chiropractors know how to perform adjustments without leaving you in severe pain.
Can I Start My Pinched Nerve Treatment During the First Visit?
Yes! Unless the chiropractor sees any reasons to request more diagnostic testing, you can experience your first session on your first visit to the chiropractor.
How Long Does a Pinched Nerve Last?
You can expect your pinched nerve to go away in four to six weeks. If that’s not the case, you’ll need to see your doctor.
Have questions beyond, “Can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve?” Reach out today!
