Chiropractor for Pinched Nerves
Can a Chiropractor Fix a Pinched Nerve?
Pinched nerve? Have you thought about a chiropractic clinic? Pinched nerves are painful, debilitating, and can prevent you from enjoying everyday life.
While you can do your best to avoid pinched nerves, sometimes all of the lifting, twisting, bending and other motions we do can really take their toll over time. This is especially true if you push yourself too far or use improper posture while lifting, pulling, pushing, etc.
In middle-aged adults, pinched nerves are commonly caused by spinal disc herniation. You may have a pinched nerve anywhere along your spine, from the base of your neck (cervical region) to your lower back (lumbar region).
Depending on the location and severity of the pinched nerve, untreated pain could last for a few days, several weeks, or even months.
What causes pinched nerves? How can chiropractic care help to treat this discomfort and prevent pinched nerves in the first place?
What Causes Pain From Pinched Nerves?
The body uses nerves to send signals throughout your body and sometimes, these long nerves can get compressed, pinched, or trapped. When your muscles, tendons, cartilage, bone, or body tissue between each of your vertebrae create pressure on your nerves, this can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Other factors that can lead to pinched nerves include:
- Bad Posture Habits
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Repetitive tasks
- Injuries
- Accidents
- Prolonged bed rest
- Bone spurs
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
In other words, a pinched nerve is caused by pressure surrounding body tissues that place too much pressure against it.
But what symptoms should you look out for?
What Are the Common Symptoms of Pinched Nerves?
One of the most important things about pinched nerve treatment is identifying the cause of your pain. That way, you can seek out treatment options such as chiropractic care or your family physician.
Common pinched nerve symptoms include:
- Radiating or stabbing pain
- Pain in your legs and/or arms
- Numbness
- Tingling (pins and needles)
- Sharp, burning pains
- Muscle weakness
- Loss in range of motion
More specifically, a pinched nerve in your neck can cause tingling sensations and pain which can extend to your shoulders, arms and hands.
A pinched nerve in your lower back is often associated with herniated discs that compress nerve roots in this area. If you feel a sharp pain in your lower back as well as your glutes and back of your leg, it may be your sciatica.
If you experience chronic hip pain, pinched nerves can be caused by prolonged sitting, bad posture, arthritis, obesity, and bone spurs.
Shoulder pain from a pinched nerve is usually typically caused by computer work, spending a long time on your phone or tablet, bad posture, injury, arthritis, or tendinitis.
If you frequently type for a living, pinched nerves within the wrist may occur. If untreated, this can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
One of the best ways to tell the difference between a pinched nerve and muscle strain is how sharp the pain feels.
If the pain is left untreated, chronic pain can come and go for several weeks, months, or years. This all depends on the location and severity of your pain point.
Treating a pinched nerve effectively is important to a fast recovery.
But how long does a pinched nerve take to heal?
How Long Does it Take for a Pinched Nerve to Heal?
This depends entirely on how quickly you seek out treatment. Other factors include what’s causing the pressure on the nerve and the location.
In some cases, a temporary case of a pinched nerve, such as an injury or poor posture, may only last for several days. Physical therapy may be able to help alleviate symptoms and get you feeling better quickly, or it can take a while.
Chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis may last longer. Keeping your pain at bay may require receiving a combination of regular medical treatments supplemented by chiropractic care and physiotherapy.
Chiropractic care may be able to gently realign your spine to relieve pressure. This may be able to reduce inflammation and relax your pinched nerves.
How to Prevent Pain in the Future
Once treated, a pinched nerve will most likely go away unless the same body issues aggravate the affected nerve again.
Chronic compression may lead to permanent nerve damage, so it’s important to be as preventative as possible.
Effective ways to prevent pinched nerves include:
- Improving your posture
- Losing excess weight
- Taking breaks during repetitive activities
- Taking frequent movement breaks
- Adding strength and flexibility to your workout routine
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be the best way to avoid pain from pinched nerves. Utilizing resistance bands, light free weights, and yoga stretching can help strengthen bones, joints, and muscles. The healthier you are, the faster your body can recover.
Chiropractic Care May Be Able to Help Heal Your Pinched Nerve Pains
Typically, a pinched nerve is caused by spinal misalignment related to tissues in the body.
If you do pinch a nerve, you can try these home remedies:
- Reduce inflammation with ice packs and heating pads
- Resting the affected area
- Light stretches to encourage blood flow and movement
- Adjusting your posture and sleeping position
If you are in pain, it may be time to seek out chiropractic care for treatment of your pinched nerve.
Based in Victoria, BC, Dr. Louie and her chiropractic team at Mind Body Spine may be able to help alleviate pain from pinched nerves. With our expertise, you can reduce inflammation and minimize compression.
Contact Mind Body Spine today to learn more about pinched nerves, as well as our exercise plans, nutrition counseling, and support for an expertly well-rounded plan.