What Can a Chiropractor Do For a Pinched Nerve?

Defining a Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve occurs when body tissues compress a nerve. Muscles, bones, and tendons can all cause this compression, with pain resulting from nerve inflammation. Most pinched nerves develop in the neck, upper middle back, or lower back regions. Herniated discs commonly cause pinching of the sciatic nerve, the central nerve running through the spinal cord that splits into two nerves extending down each leg.

How does a pinched nerve feel?

A pinched nerve may produce electrical shock sensations along the nerve pathway, muscle weakness, and tingling in the affected area.

What are the Causes of a Pinched Nerve?

1) Lifting of heavy objects

Straining body tissues through heavy lifting can compress nearby nerves.

2) Playing high-impact sports

Jumping and running pressure can cause sudden spinal and joint adjustments that compress nerves.

3) Doing high-intensity exercise

Muscular strain from weightlifting and similar activities can cause muscle constriction and bone adjustment, leading to nerve compression.

4) Doing high-speed exercise

Rapid activities provide insufficient time for body tissue relaxation, potentially causing nerve pinching.

5) Going through repetitive motions

Repetitive activities cause tissue inflammation, which can subsequently pinch nerves.

6) Making sudden movements

Quick movements strain muscles and tendons, and cause bones to adjust rapidly, potentially resulting in pinched nerves.

7) Staying stationary or sedentary

Remaining in one position while laying, sitting, or standing can adversely affect nerves.

8) Enjoying Amusement park rides

Jerking motions from rides strain muscles, tendons, and bones, causing pinched nerves.

9) Not sleeping well

Insufficient sleep can worsen existing pinched nerve conditions.

Ways To Treat A Pinched Nerve

1. Resting and relaxing the affected area

Rest allows muscles and body tissues to decompress, often releasing pinched nerves. Balance rest with avoiding excessive sedentary behavior.

2. Stretching

Muscle stretching releases constricted muscles and tendons, potentially freeing pinched nerves.

3. The Application of ice and heat

Both ice and heat can release pinched nerves when applied for approximately 20 minutes at a time.

4. Standing while working

Standing during work allows the spine to stretch naturally, helping avoid or release pinched nerves in the lower back.

5. Use a stabilizing device like a splint or a brace

Splints and braces stabilize weakened body parts affected by pinched nerves.

6. Seeking chiropractic care

When self-remedies prove ineffective, chiropractic care offers spine and bone adjustment techniques that improve body alignment and release pinched nerves.

7. Going through physical therapy

Physical therapists prescribe exercises that stretch injured body parts, potentially releasing pinched nerves.

8. Going through massage therapy

Therapeutic massage relaxes strained or constricted muscles causing pinched nerves. Many chiropractors provide therapeutic massage services.

9. Taking over-the-counter pain medications

Anti-inflammatory medication reduces nerve or tendon inflammation.

Areas of the Body Where Pinched Nerves Occur

Shoulder Pinched Nerve

Cervical nerve compression causes shoulder pinched nerves.

Symptoms of a shoulder pinched nerve

• Muscle weakness in the arm, wrist, or hand
• Neck pain with side-to-side movements
• Tingling sensation in the affected hand and fingers

Causes of a shoulder pinched nerve

Body tissue inflammation affecting nerves from neck vertebrae causes shoulder pinched nerves.

Ways to relieve a shoulder pinched nerve

Treatment options include anti-inflammatory drugs, neck stabilization, corticosteroid injections, chiropractic adjustments, and physical therapy.

Neck Pinched Nerve

Cervical nerve compression also causes neck pinched nerves.

Symptoms of a neck pinched nerve

• Numbness in the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Sharp pain on one side of the neck

Causes of a neck pinched nerve

Disc degeneration is the primary cause, with sudden neck movements or strain as contributing factors.

Ways to relieve a neck pinched nerve

Treatment options include neck stabilization, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and surgery if conservative approaches fail.

Lower back pinched nerve

Lumbar nerve compression causes lower back pinched nerves.

Symptoms of a lower back pinched nerve

Sciatica, pinching of the sciatic nerve, typically results in:

• Tingling in one or both legs
• Muscle weakness in one or both legs
• Pain radiating through one or both legs and feet

Causes of a lower back pinched nerve

Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, bone spurs, and infections cause lower back pinched nerves.

Ways to relieve a lower back pinched nerve

Treatment options are more limited and include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and surgery when conservative treatments fail.

Why Chiropractic Care is the Best Option for Treating Pinched Nerve Pain

Most self-remedy options produce inconsistent results. Chiropractic care offers the most efficient approach to addressing pinched nerve problems.

Chiropractors have expertise in treating pinched nerves

Treating pinched nerves represents the primary focus of chiropractic practice.

Chiropractors address the root causes of pain

As spine experts, chiropractors understand neuromuscular skeletal system function, enabling them to trace nerve pain back to its source.

Chiropractors perform adjustments and more

Since chiropractic adjustments and massage therapies effectively relieve pinched nerve pain, licensed chiropractors can provide both treatment options.

Chiropractic care can be used as preventative care

Chiropractors employ maintenance adjustment techniques to promote spine health and prevent future pinched nerve issues.

Chiropractors will rule out serious injuries

Using imaging and pressure point testing, chiropractors rule out significant spinal injuries before beginning treatment.

Questions

How does a chiropractor release a pinched nerve?

Chiropractors employ spinal and joint adjustments or utilize specific massage therapy techniques.

How long does it take a chiropractor to fix a pinched nerve?

Temporary relief typically occurs within one or two treatments, though lasting results may require three to five visits.

Should you go to a chiropractor for a pinched nerve?

Yes. Chiropractic care provides the most efficient approach to addressing pinched nerve issues.

Can a chiropractor make a pinched nerve worse?

While rare, hidden nerve issues may emerge during chiropractic treatment.

Can a chiropractor help pinched nerve in the shoulder?

Yes. Chiropractors employ spinal adjustments or massage techniques for shoulder pinched nerves.

Can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve in the leg?

Since leg pinched nerve issues typically originate in the lower back affecting the sciatic nerve, chiropractors address leg pain through spinal adjustments.