A pinched nerve is a common source of chronic pain for lots of folks. They can come from a wide variety of causes, most commonly from overexerting the soft tissues in the back or neck, various sports injuries, or repeated movements. They also tend to occur more regularly as we age, due to the general wear and tear of time on our bodies of daily activities.
While the exact root cause continues to be unclear, it is thought that pinched nerves might occur when there’s a misalignment in the spinal column. The effects can be discomfort, tingling feelings, sharp, shooting pains, decreased range of motion and loss of muscle strength in the arms or hands on one half of your body. In this short article, we take a look at just what a pinched nerve is and ways you can get pain relief with chiropractic care.
A Pinched Nerve: What Is It?
A pinched nerve happens when a nerve root comes to be compressed as it travels through a tight spot, commonly in the neck, shoulder, or upper back. This pinching can cause tenderness, swelling, and pain in the local area served by that nerve. A large number of activities have been proven to increase your danger of developing pinched nerves, including extended static postures (like working at a desk for extended periods), repetitive movements (such as golf or tennis) and activities that include repetitive lifting (such as doing work in a warehouse).
Pinched nerves can likewise be brought on by muscle spasms, tight muscle tissues, bone growths, or a herniated disc that presses on a nerve. Basically, pinched nerves can appear 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 and signs of a pinched nerve differ depending on the location of the nerve. The most typical location for a pinched nerve is the neck. When the neck is compacted, the indicators can range from moderate to intense and may include neck pain, weakness, tightness, headaches, or pins and needles in the arms or hands. If the pinched nerve is in the lower back or shoulders, the signs and symptoms can range from mild to intense and may also include discomfort, weakness, tightness, or pins and needles.
These locations are the most susceptible to pinched nerves. If you feel even one of these symptoms, your doctor or therapist might wish to examine you to determine if a pinched nerve is the cause.
How Does Chiropractic Treatment Address Pinched Nerves?
Chiropractic therapy strives to adjust the vertebrae in your spinal column to ensure that they are in proper alignment, correcting any misalignments that could create pinched nerves. This can be achieved in a number of distinct ways, but most commonly via spine control, changes, or mobilization.
Spinal manipulation is a hands-on or mechanical correction of a joint that might have been crooked or out of place. Adjustments are passive motions used on a joint that are generally done with the hands, while mobilization is a more gentle and measured motion employed to flex and energize the joint and surrounding tissues. Depending on your unique circumstance, your chiropractor might utilize a blend of these techniques.
There Are Other Treatment Options for Pinched Nerves
1. Non-prescription medications: If you have a mild case of a pinched nerve, non-prescription painkillers may be a helpful first step to alleviate any pain you’re feeling.
2. Heat/cold packs: Delivering heat or cold packs to the affected area can help with inflammation and pain, especially if the pinched nerve is found in your neck.
3. Exercises: Mild stretching can really help to increase flexibility, stretch those tight muscles, and enable you to handle the pain of a pinched nerve. Flexing is vital when coping with a pinched nerve, not just due to the fact that it can help with flexibility but also due to the fact that it can help you discover the root cause of your pain.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question that pinched nerves can be exceptionally unpleasant and devastating. Thankfully, there are treatment options that can help relieve your discomfort and get you back on your feet. If you suspect you may have a pinched nerve, the very best thing you can do is stop the activity you’re doing that’s triggering your pain and see a medical professional or therapist. The earlier you get treatment, the sooner you can return to living your life pain-free.
Call the experienced team at Niagara Health & Rehab Centre today and we can begin eliminating your pinched nerve discomfort and improving your quality of life. Now scheduling new clients!