Pinched Nerve Relief
Chiropractic Care for a Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve can occur in any part of the body, but it is most often found in the back. In the chiropractic profession, the term for a pinched nerve is called subluxation.
A subluxation (or pinched nerve) is a misalignment that causes the nerves to be irritated. Subluxation can occur from the everyday stress of life. Simple acts of bending, turning, and twisting can all contribute to the condition of subluxation.
When there is too much pressure on a nerve it becomes pinched. This pressure could come from a person's tendons, bones, muscles, or cartilage. When the nerve is crushed by something in the body it is considered a pinched nerve.
The pressure causes the pinched nerve to become irritated resulting in numbness, tingling or pain. When a nerve is pinched, there is a reduction or blockage to the nutrients needed to keep the nerve healthy.
There are many reasons that a pinched nerve can develop. A good chiropractor can give a careful examination that will ensure the patient is informed about the underlying cause of the pinched nerve. It should also be noted that a very low percentage of people who experience back pain have a pinched nerve.
Causes of a Pinched Nerve
There can be many conditions that contribute to a pinched nerve such as the back being traumatized in a way that causes the muscles to tighten, which can result in a pinched nerve.
The goal of a chiropractor is to find out why the nerve is being pinched. Pinched nerves are typically caused by bulging discs in the spine, prolonged bad posture, or repetitive motion that can occur at a job or other activity. Some pinched nerves are caused by rather severe medical issues such as arthritis, abnormal bone growth, or a tumor.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
Some of the symptoms of a pinched nerve include pain, weakness, muscle spasm, and numbness or sciatica or even headaches. In some cases a patient may experience burning, tingling, or an electric sensation. The person might feel as if electrical currents are running through their body due to the pinched nerve.
Sometimes the symptoms of a pinched nerve can be so severe they have the same intensity of problems that are associated with a heart attack or stroke or carpal tunnel.
Home remedies abound for attempting to treat a pinched nerve, but even home-treatments should be done under the supervision of a medical doctor or chiropractor. Some patients reported that taking a hot shower, applying heat or ice, and getting a massage all helped to relieve some of the pain from the pinched nerve.
There are long-term measures that an individual can take to relieve the impact of a pinched nerve. Some of those methods include exercise, gentle stretching, proper diet, and maintaing good posture to avoid a pinched nerve.
A Chiropractor Can Help Treat a Pinched Nerve
The primary focus of a chiropractor is on the muscles, skeletal system and nerves. When it comes to the issue of a pinched nerve, the chiropractor helps to reduce the pressure and restriction that is occurring around the pinched nerve.
The goal to treating a pinched nerve is to use methods that will take pressure off of the nerve. Reducing compression of the nerve through therapy can alleviate pain and help the pinched nerve to recover. A chiropractor can give an individual a variety of exercises and stretches to facilitate healing for the pinched nerve. Stretching the area where the nerve is pinched helps to release biological chemicals that can trigger pain relief.
Some of the ways that chiropractors deals with a pinched nerve is through conservative treatments and rest. A good chiropractor will ensure that there is a normal flow of nutrients to all of the nerves.
In some cases, a person might need to undergo surgery in order to be relieved from the pain of a pinched nerve.
Fortunately, the chances of needing surgery for a pinched nerve are slim. Many individuals are able to stop the pain of a pinched nerve through non-surgical treatments.
