Pinched nerves are a common condition and cause of acute or chronic pain for many people. They can come from a wide range of causes, most frequently from overexerting the neck or back, numerous sports injuries, or recurring motions. They likewise tend to happen more frequently as we age, due to the general wear and tear of time on our bodies.
Though the specific cause continues to be unclear, it’s thought that pinched nerves may happen when there’s a misalignment in the spinal column.
The consequences may be acute pain, tingling feelings, shooting pains, decreased range of motion and muscle weakness in the arms or hands on one half of your body. In this five minute post, we look at just what a pinched nerve is and how you can enjoy relief from pain with chiropractic care.
Pinched Nerves: What Are They?
A pinched nerve happens when a nerve root comes to be compressed as it travels through a tight space, generally in the shoulder, neck, or upper back. This pinching can cause irritation, inflammation, and pain in the area served by that nerve.
A number of activities have been proven to increase your chances of a pinched nerves, such as prolonged static postures (like being seated at a desk for extended periods), repetitive movements (such as golf or tennis) and activities that include repeated lifting (such as working in a warehouse).
Pinched nerves can also be triggered by muscle spasms, tight muscle tissues, bone spurs, or a herniated disc that compresses a nerve. Generally, pinched nerves can result in any part of the body where nerves travel through a little 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 differ depending upon the area of the nerve. The most typical place for a pinched nerve is the neck.
When the neck is compacted, the signs and symptoms can range from moderate to extreme and may include pain, weakness, stiffness, headaches, or pins and needles in the arms or hands.
If the pinched nerve is in the shoulders or lower back, the signs and symptoms can range from moderate to severe and may also include discomfort, weakness, stiffness, or pins and needles.
These locations are the most susceptible to pinched nerves. If you feel even one of these indicators, your Physician, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist might want to take a look at you to figure out if a pinched nerve is the source.
How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Alleviate Pinched Nerves?
Chiropractic care aims to straighten the vertebrae in your spinal column to ensure that they are in proper position, fixing any misalignments that might create pinched nerves.
This can be accomplished in several distinct ways, but most frequently through spine manipulation, modifications, or mobilization. Spinal manipulation is a manual or mechanical correction of a joint that may have been crooked or out of place.
Manual adjustments are passive motions used on a joint that are typically performed with the hands, while mobilization is a more gentle and controlled motion utilized to flex and stimulate the joint and surrounding tissues. Depending upon your unique condition, your chiropractor might make use of a fusion of these methods.
Other Treatments for Pinched Nerves
Over-the-counter medications: If you have a moderate case of a pinched nerve, over-the-counter pain relievers might be an effective first step to minimize any common pains you’re experiencing.
Heat/cold packs: Delivering heat or cold packs to the afflicted area can help with swelling and pain, especially if the pinched nerve is found in your neck.
Active Movement: Gentle muscle extensions can help increase overall flexibility, stretch those tight muscles, and enable you to manage the discomfort of a pinched nerve.
Stretching is vital when coping with a pinched nerve, not just because it can assist with overall flexibility in soft tissues but also since it may help you discover the source of your discomfort.
Closing Thoughts
There’s no doubt that pinched nerves can be exceptionally agonizing and debilitating. Thankfully, there are treatment options that can really help ease your pain and get you back to living pain-free.
If you think you might have a pinched nerve, the best thing you can do is stop whatever you’re doing that’s causing you pain and see a physician or therapist. The faster you get treated, the quicker you can get back to living your life free from pain.
Contact the caring professionals at Aspire Physiotherapy right away and we can schedule relieving your pinched nerve pain. Now scheduling new appointments!
