A pinched nerve is caused when an object presses down on one or more nerve sections, then passes through an opening to connect with another area. The pressure on the nerve causes pain, numbness, tingling sensations in hands or feet, weakness in an arm or leg, or loss of balance. Nerves perform many functions that control movements and stimuli. The sensation of pain and emotional responses such as anxiety or excitement are controlled by signals sent from the brain. Over 100 million nerve fibers in the human body make up the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Nerves carry signals from the body to the brain, where they are interpreted. Through nerve fibers, fingers and toes can sense temperature, pressure, texture, and pain. A chiropractor’s role is to release the pressure on the nerves and restore natural neural function. Chiropractic care can improve your work-life balance, prevent mental and physical pain, reduce tension, and improve your immune system. A pinched nerve is a problem that occurs in the central nervous system when pressure is applied to the nerve which causes an injury leading to a loss of function in one or more areas. A pinched nerve can be caused by repetitive stress or by a single trauma such as fractures or dislocations.
How A Chiropractor Treats A Pinched Nerve
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
A doctor of chiropractic will begin by asking a patient about their condition and history. The doctor will also ask about any current medications the patient is taking. The doctor will then perform a physical exam to check for signs and symptoms that may be causing the problem. The doctor may also conduct orthopedic, neurological, and other exams. Laboratory tests ensure that the problem is not caused by illness or disease. It is important for a doctor of chiropractic to have a complete understanding of the patient’s health history, symptoms, and physical findings. By doing so, the examination will be more focused, and treatment will be more effective.
Specific Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors adjust patients’ spine, neck, and extremities. It is achieved through spinal manipulation, adjusted postural muscles, and soft tissue techniques. Chiropractors use a variety of chiropractic techniques. To help reduce and prevent muscle spasms, smooth muscle relaxants are used to stop unwanted contractions in the muscle. Music therapy and therapeutic massage help lower stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and fatigue. It is important to treat the cause of the nerve pinch while not neglecting the other symptoms. In addition to chiropractic care, nutrition and exercise may also be a part of a patient’s treatment plan. It is important to know that not all health problems require medical care.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Chiropractic goes beyond clinical skills and examines the patient’s physiology. Chiropractors have developed a set of safe, simple, and effective treatment protocols that help patients understand their bodies, improve posture, and correct muscle imbalances. It contours the patient to restore health and quality of life. It follows the philosophy that healing and restoration of health occur naturally when body systems are functioning optimally. Chiropractic Adjustments help restore the spine’s normal motion, thus reducing pain and enhancing the healing process. It helps to improve overall well-being and energy levels in the body. Chiropractic care is effective in treating many conditions, including arthritis, asthma, allergies, headaches, back pain, chest pains, stress, depression, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, and chronic pain.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal Decompression is using an instrument to realign or decompress the spinal column. The spine is in constant motion, and during regular daily activities, if the nerves and fluid are compressed, they may become irritated. The decompression process allows this fluid to escape from within the spinal column. Each vertebra is sandwiched between two bones called laminae. When one vertebra becomes compressed because of a nerve inflammation or injury, pressure begins to build up on nearby nerves. When the soft tissue relaxes, it can be more easily stretched out. This process can be aided by a Chiropractor who uses a special instrument known as an inverse kinematic spinal decompression device. It consists of a circular disc located in the middle of the spine. The disc has a series of depressions that allow it to grip the vertebrae. A progressively larger adjustment are then made until a greater degree of relief is achieved.
Deep Tissue Laser and Massage
It can be a treatment used to relax trigger points and tight muscles. Trigger points are areas of muscle that throb when pressure is applied. Trigger points may feel like knots or sharp joints, while they appear as small bumps. These trigger points often cause pain and interfere with normal body functions, especially in the back and shoulder muscles. A Chiropractic doctor performs it with a high-tech laser and a massage therapist. The deep tissue laser has been used since the 1990s in chiropractic practice. It is used to increase blood flow and joint mobility and to ease muscle spasms. A combination of treatments involving massage, stretching, deep tissue massage, and dry needling is helpful in the healing process.
What Causes A Pinched Nerve
Subluxation
An abnormal movement of the spinal bones, it may cause some ligaments to be stretched and some to be compressed. The center of the nerve is compressed, which may cause pinched nerve symptoms. When the body is misaligned, the vertebrae may rub together. The resulting friction causes a minor injury to the vertebral disc, producing a pinched nerve or spinal cord that produces pain. The subluxation can damage nerves, membranes, or muscles around it. It may also cause the spine to curve or twist abnormally. It may eventually lead to arthritis or other chronic conditions.
Disc bulge/herniation
A herniated disc is common in people over 40 years of age. In a herniated disc, the soft center of the intervertebral disc pushes out through a tear in the outer portion of an intervertebral disc. The outer layer is called the annulus fibrosis, while the soft inner layer is called the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus contains water that cushions and acts as a shock absorber between vertebrae and joints. Various studies suggest a causal relationship between mortality and neck pain or headaches, especially low back pain. It has been reported that intervertebral disc herniation may be used as a cause of pinched nerve symptoms.
Arthritis
When damaged joints are more susceptible to injury, especially when they have lost cartilage and lubrication, in addition to causing joint pain, arthritis can cause pinched nerve symptoms and back pain. When the spine is damaged due to arthritis or injuries, the vertebrae can rub together and cause a pinched nerve. It can also cause abnormal curvature of the spine, leading to pinched nerves.
Muscle
Muscle spasms can occur from overexertion or trauma. When muscles contract and the nerve is compressed, it is called a “trigger point.” A muscle spasm may feel like an itchy, painful knot in a muscle. Muscles can also become tight when nerves are irritated by injury or disease. Tight muscles may compress nerves and cause pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in the hands and feet. It is common for individuals who lead a sedentary life, are older, or have existing back and joint problems to experience muscle spasms. It can also be caused by poor posture and stress. Muscle spasms can be triggered by sleeping in an awkward position, overuse of muscles, or a traumatic injury to the affected area.
FAQs
Is a chiropractor good for a pinched nerve?
Yes, a chiropractor will be able to help you. A chiropractor can perform simple treatments such as massage and mobilization to relieve your pain and other symptoms immediately. They will be able to diagnose the cause of your problems. A chiropractor can also recommend exercises and other treatments to help you recover from pain. Returning to normal will take some time, but you can expect a complete recovery.
Can a chiropractor make nerve pain worse?
No. A chiropractor is trained to work with your medical condition and will always consider this when performing treatment. The treatment that has been found to cause the most pain is manipulation. However, proper consultation and examination by a chiropractor should eliminate this risk. It is important to remember that even after the accomplishment of your initial chiropractic consultation, your pain may return periodically.
How do chiropractors know where to adjust?
When performing the procedure the spine is aligned first, then the adjusted muscles are aligned. A chiropractor will always move gently and ask you if there is any pain. A chiropractor may also use heat, cold, or massage to loosen up and relax muscles for easier adjustment. You must let your chiropractor know of any pain so they can adjust you gently.
How long does it take for a pinched nerve to heal?
It can take a few weeks or months. The amount of time it takes to heal will depend on the cause. If your doctor decides to diagnose you with some sort of infection or ulcer that has worsened the injury, then you may need to be admitted for treatment. It is important to treat the injury correctly so that it does not become a chronic problem.
How often should you see a chiropractor?
You should see a chiropractor as often as needed, ideally once a year. It helps to keep your spine, body, and nervous system in good working order. Your chiropractor will want to see you every two weeks if you suffer from pain. It is important to be seen regularly to keep the spine healthy. If you feel pain after a specific incident, you should visit your chiropractor immediately. It is essential that you continue a regular schedule of hygiene, exercise, and nutrition when visiting the chiropractor. It is well worth it to give your back a break from regular stress or strain, allowing your body to begin functioning at its full capacity again.
What does it feel like to pinch a nerve?
When the nerve is pinched, it should feel like pinching a wire. For some individuals, this may feel worse than others. The pain won’t be constant but more of an intermittent ache that can occur at any time. It can be very uncomfortable and feel like your nerve will pop or hurt. It can be very painful and make the muscles tense up, causing the pain to spread. An ache will be felt in the hands, feet, or arms and could even affect your legs or back. Many people may have numbness in their hands or feet when they are suffering from a pinched nerve. It is caused by damage to nerves caused by a pinched nerve.
What happens if you let a pinched nerve go untreated?
When a pinched nerve goes untreated or isn’t treated properly, it can lead to more serious pain and problems. If you experience any of the symptoms that resulted from your pinched nerve, then it is important to consult your doctor. If you are experiencing pain in your arm, leg, or neck and suspect a pinched nerve, then it is important not to ignore the problem. Often times the pain will worsen over time if you wait too long to get help. Treating a pinched nerve as soon as you suspect it is usually more painless.
There are several natural treatments available to help people with many different conditions. The chiropractic healing treatment is safe and it can bring long-term results. Chiropractic care addresses the physical, mental, and emotional factors contributing to pain and illness. Chiropractors do not offer diagnostic tests or treatments for the disease but rather focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system and its function within overall health. Chiropractic care has numerous benefits and can be used alone or in conjunction with other medical practices.
