A pinched nerve is a common source of pain for many people. It can start due to several reasons, most commonly from overexerting the neck or back, different sports injuries, or repetitive movements. They also tend to happen more regularly as we age, because of the natural wear and tear on our bodies.
Though the specific root cause continues to be unclear, it’s believed that pinched nerves might happen when there’s a misalignment in the spine. The consequences can be pain, tingling sensations, sharp, shooting pains, decreased range of motion, and muscle weakness in the arms or hands on one side of your body.
In this brief article, we take a look at exactly what a pinched nerve is and ways you can alleviate it with chiropractic treatment
Pinched Nerves: What Are They?
A pinched nerve occurs when a nerve root becomes compressed as it travels through a tight place, typically in the shoulder, neck, or upper back. This squeezing can create irritation, swelling, and discomfort in the area served by that nerve.
Many activities have been proven to increase the risk of pinched nerves, such as prolonged static postures (like working at a desk for long periods), repetitive movements (like golf or tennis), and activities that involve repeated lifting (such as working in retail).
Pinched nerves can likewise be brought on by muscle spasms, tight muscle tissues, bone spurs, or a herniated disc that presses on a nerve. Basically, pinched nerves can happen in any part of the body where nerves travel through a small place, such as the lower back, shoulders, or neck.
How Do You Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve?
The symptoms of a pinched nerve vary depending on the place of the nerve. The most typical location for a pinched nerve is the neck. When the neck is compressed, the symptoms can vary from moderate to intense and might include pain, weakness, tightness, headaches, or tingling in the hands or arms.
Some common symptoms include joint pain, neck pain, spinal stenosis, leg pain, muscle pain, sciatic pain, poor joint motion, wrist pain, disc pain, etc. If the pinched nerve is in the shoulders or lower back, the symptoms can range from moderate to intense and might likewise consist of discomfort, weakness, stiffness, or tingling.
These locations are the most susceptible to pinched nerves. If you feel even one of these indicators, your physician or therapist may want to take a look at you to determine if a pinched nerve is a source.
How Does Chiropractic Adjustment Alleviate Pinched Nerves?
Chiropractic care strives to realign the vertebrae in your spinal column to ensure that they are in the proper position, fixing any misalignments that might trigger pinched nerves. This may be achieved in several assorted ways, but most frequently via spinal manipulation, adjustments, or mobilization.
Back manipulation is a manual or mechanical correction of a joint that might have been crooked or out of place. Adjustments are passive movements applied to a joint that is typically made with the hands, while mobilization is a more gentle and controlled motion employed to stretch and revitalize the joint and surrounding tissues. Depending on your unique health condition, your chiropractor might use a combination of these approaches.
Adjunctive Therapy For Pinched Nerves
Non-prescription medications: If you have a moderate case of a pinched nerve, over-the-counter pain relievers might be an effective first step to relieve any discomfort you’re feeling.
Hot/Cold therapies: Making use of hot or cold packs to the affected area can help with swelling and pain, especially if the pinched nerve is in your neck.
Active Movement: Gentle muscle extensions can really help increase flexibility: stretch those tight muscles to deal with the discomfort of a pinched nerve. Stretching is essential when taking care of a pinched nerve, not only because it can assist with flexibility but additionally because it can help you discover the cause of your discomfort.
Final Verdict
There’s no question that pinched nerves can be very uncomfortable and incapacitating. Thankfully, there are treatment plans that can help to reduce your discomfort and get you back to living pain-free. If you suspect you might have a pinched nerve, the best thing you can do is quit the activity you’re doing that’s triggering your discomfort and see a qualified chiropractor. The faster you get treatment, the faster you can return to living your life free from pain.
Contact Full Function Rehab & Wellness serving Vaughan and Woodbridge area right away and start alleviating your pinched nerve discomfort. Now booking new appointments!
