What’s a Pinched Nerve, Anyway?
By Sara Butler
You’ve probably heard people talking about pinched nerves, but what does that mean? Is the nerve actually pinched (ouch!) or is this just an idea that has snuck into people’s heads and taken up residence there? Here’s what you need to know about pinched nerves and how your chiropractor may be able to help you find relief should you ever experience it.
A Pinched Nerve Defined
The nerves that branch off of your spinal cord are delicate structures. If everything isn’t in the correct place, even just a little bit of pressure on the nerve root can cause some pretty significant pain. Any structure around the nerve, even soft tissue, if pressing on the nerve can cause symptoms of a pinched nerve. These symptoms include:
- Numbness
- Decreased sensation
- Sharp or burning pain
- Tingling sensation
- Muscle weakness
- Feeling as if your foot or hand has fallen asleep
Quite often these symptoms are worse at night when you’re trying to sleep, and that can make for a miserable experience. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms it’s important to get in to see your chiropractor as soon as you can.
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
Part of a chiropractor’s job is to keep your spine in alignment. If the cause of your pinched nerve stems from a misalignment in your spine or a muscle imbalance, your chiropractor is here to seek out the underlying cause of your pain and treat it. Once they have restored the alignment of your spine and taken the pressure off of the nerve, they will advise you on techniques you can use to hopefully improve your pain further and keep the pinched nerve from reoccurring. Your chiropractor may suggest:
- Ice
- Massage
- Rest
- Continued chiropractic adjustments
All of these things can help you to fully recover from a pinched nerve. Remember, your chiropractor wants to keep you out of surgery and off pain medication through using these natural treatment methods to help set things straight.
If you’re dealing with pain from a pinched nerve you need to know it’s not something you just have to suffer through. The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want to help you to live your life to its fullest, free of pain and unlimited by painful conditions of your body. By achieving balance through chiropractic adjustments you can restore full function to your spine, your health, and your life. So what are you waiting for? Come into The Joint today!