Nerves carry critical information, traveling from the brain to all regions of the body. Unfortunately, when a nerve is compressed, it can be extremely painful, causing additional symptoms that can impact a person’s quality of life. People commonly seek chiropractic treatment for back pain; however, chiropractors can also handle a wide range of other conditions, including pinched nerves. At Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center, our experienced chiropractors can provide treatment to resolve nerve pain and create a treatment plan that can prevent pinched nerves in the future.
Say Goodbye to Pinched Nerves: Your Guide to Pinched Nerve Pain in Bentonville AR
The longer a compressed nerve is left untreated, the higher the risk of permanent damage. With early chiropractic treatment, the underlying cause of the nerve pain can be identified, restoring the normal function of the affected nerve and preventing chronic nerve pain in the future.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
The brain utilizes nerves to send signals throughout the body. These commands leave the brain, traveling down the spinal cord, following the path of nerves until the message has reached the correct destination. Along the way, the nerves can become trapped, pinched, or compressed.
When a nerve has been pinched, the nerve is unable to function normally, causing a wide range of symptoms resulting in pain, discomfort, limited mobility, and more.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve?
Nerve pain can be caused by damage to the protective covering of the nerve or damage to the nerve itself.
There are several possible causes of nerve compression, including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sciatic nerve syndrome (The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body)
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Diabetes
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Bone spurs
- Osteoarthritis
- Trauma
- Misalignments or subluxations of spinal bones can irritate or place pressure on spinal nerves, causing pain and muscle spasms.
- In rare cases, a pinched nerve can be caused by spondylolisthesis, infection, or a tumor.
If you’re experiencing nerve pain, you must seek chiropractic treatment as soon as possible to prevent permanent nerve damage.
What Are the Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve?
Symptoms of nerve compression often include localized severe pain in the area of the affected nerve.
Other common symptoms include:
- Decreased sensation in the affected areas of the body
- Burning pain
- Shooting pain
- Sharp pain
- Shock-like sensation
- Muscle weakness/general feeling of weakness
- Feeling as though certain body parts have fallen asleep
- Muscle stiffness
- Loss of muscle control
- Tingling
- Numbing feeling
- Pain that radiates down the legs or arms
When a nerve is pinched in the cervical spine, symptoms can be felt in the neck, fingers, hands, forearms, biceps, and shoulders.
When a nerve is pinched in the lumbar spine, the symptoms may be felt in the legs, feet, buttocks, hips, and back.
When the nerves are pinched in the thoracic spine the symptoms can be felt in the middle or upper back and can radiate into the chest or stomach.
Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve
When a patient visits a chiropractor and they’re experiencing some of the above-mentioned symptoms, the first thing a chiropractor will do is go over the patient’s medical history. Next, they will conduct a full physical examination utilizing tests to determine if the patient is experiencing nerve interference. In some cases, the chiropractor will order imaging tests.
Imaging tests can include X-rays to look for disc degeneration and to determine the locations of nerve compression. They will also search for signs of osteoarthritis, which can cause nerve compression.
Once the exam is complete, a chiropractor will create a treatment plan that can alleviate the pain, restore nerve function, and address the underlying cause.
Treatment for a Pinched Nerve
If you’re suffering from a pinched nerve, it’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible upon the onset of pain. Pinched nerves can become worse over time, leading to permanent nerve dysfunction and additional physical problems if the issue goes ignored.
There are many types of treatment options available. Physical therapy, hot and cold therapy, massage, and rest are some of the common treatments used to address chronic nerve pain.
Home Remedies for a Pinched Nerve
Over time, stress, injury, illness, or disease can affect one or more nerves in the back, neck, arms, or legs, causing nerve compression and pain. By seeking regular chiropractic treatment, exercising regularly using ice or heat packs, and correcting poor posture you can reduce the risks of nerve compression.
If you’re experiencing nerve pain, there are some home remedies you can try that can help alleviate the pain.
- Resting and limiting motion, especially to the affected area, can help calm inflamed nerves. Rest can help muscles and joints to heal, reducing swelling.
- Getting more sleep is also very important. Sleep is the body’s natural way of healing itself. If you commonly struggle with nerve pain, make sure you get a few extra hours of sleep a night.
- You can get enough rest and still perform light exercises to help keep the blood pumping. Good muscle tone and circulation can help heal a pinched nerve. Begin by following only low-impact exercises that feel comfortable. Be careful not to overdo it and risk aggravating the nerve more. Walking and swimming can help naturally move the muscles and improve circulation without placing stress on the joints.
- Pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are other home treatment options. You can take over-the-counter medications, such as anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), or prescription medication to help minimize inflammation and pain. Unfortunately, if the underlying cause of the nerve pain is not identified, over time, medication for pain management will not continue to be effective.
- Gentle stretching can help relieve pressure and tension around the pinched nerve. If you feel any discomfort when stretching, stop immediately to avoid further aggravating the nerve.
- If you’re experiencing a pinched nerve in your back, elevating your legs can help reduce the pressure placed on the spine.
- Using an ice pack can help reduce swelling and discomfort. When the joints are inflamed and the nerves are irritated, the body sends blood to the affected area to begin the healing process. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury. Applying ice three times a day for twenty minutes can help to control and minimize inflammation.
After trying these home remedies, if the nerve pain only subsides temporarily, worsens, or home treatment is no longer providing any relief from persistent nerve pain, medical care is needed. Schedule a physical exam at Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center as soon as possible.
Professional Treatments for a Pinched Nerve
One of the keys to pinched nerve treatment is a chiropractic adjustment. Adjustments are one of the most effective treatments for pinched nerves since they address the underlying cause of the pain. The cause of compressed nerves is often muscles, joints, or bones that have become misaligned in some way. An adjustment can restore the correct alignment and position, relieving pressure on the nerve. This type of treatment addresses the root cause of nerve compression, providing substantial and immediate relief for the patient.
However, while adjustments are the most important part of treatment, chiropractors often take a multi-faceted approach to fully restore health and prevent nerve compression in the future. In addition to adjustments, they may include prescribed exercises and use other treatments or methods to prevent the possibility of a recurrence.
Contact Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center to Schedule an Appointment Today
At Deep Roots Chiropractic Health Center, our team of highly trained chiropractors can meet with you to conduct a comprehensive exam and develop a personalized treatment plan that will help you on your path to a full recovery and a pain-free life. Regular treatment provided by an experienced chiropractor can keep you healthy, comfortable, and pain-free in the future. If you’re experiencing nerve pain, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
