The nerves are the way the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Nerves are responsible for sending signals and impulses to other areas of the body. Therefore, all of the nerve impulses originate in the brain and follow through the spinal cord and out of the spine. The body is filled with many nerves in every area of it. The nerves located in your spinal cord are the ones that speak to the nerves in your arms and legs, telling them what to do. Chiropractic is based on making sure the brain can communicate with all the nerves in your body by having a corrected and open spinal column. So it’s not a surprise that chiropractors are experts in diagnosing and treating pinched nerves.
They can also treat a number of other conditions besides pinched nerves.
What Are Pinched/Compressed Nerves?
Pinched nerves happen when there is too much pressure placed on a nerve. It causes the nerve to not work properly. There are many different factors that can cause pinched nerves. We will go over them below.
What Are The Causes Of Pinched Nerves?
There are many causes of pinched nerves. Any time undue pressure is placed on a nerve within the body, or the nerve covering, the nerve may become unable to conduct nerve impulses as it normally does. So what causes pressure on a nerve? Any of the following:
- Quick sudden movements that cause the body to move in an unnatural way
- Repetitive motions such as typing or mousing
- Injury caused by an accident or fall
- Blunt force trauma
- Compressions – such as when you fall asleep in a strange position and wake up with pins and needles in your arm or hand
- Inflammation related to conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.
Pinched nerves usually happen in parts of our bodies where the nerves travel through narrow spaces. A perfect example of this is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If you look at your wrists you can see there is a relatively small space through where all the bones, ligaments, and nerves must go through so our hands and fingers work the right way. It is because of this small space that the nerves can get compressed or swollen when we make repetitive movements, like typing or texting.
A herniated disc is another leading cause of pinched nerves. If you have a herniated disc this definitely will cause pressure and compression of your spinal nerves.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pinched Nerves?
Pinched nerves can occur wherever your body has nerves. The most common symptoms include the following:
- Shooting pains
- Throbbing
- Swelling and inflammation
- Burning
- Tingling on your arm or leg
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Reduced ROM (range of motion)
Common Places You Can Suffer From A Pinched Nerve
Based on the location of the nerves being affected you can have pinched nerves everywhere in your body. The most common pinched nerves where you will be feeling pain are:
- A pinched nerve in the neck
- A pinched nerve in the shoulder
- A pinched nerve in the back and upper chest
- A pinched nerve in the arm and elbow
- A pinched nerve in the wrist and hand
- A pinched nerve in the hip
The most common one we treat the most is a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine. This area is the most flexible and carries a lot of stress and weight. This is also an area that tends to degenerate quicker than in other areas.
What Are The Risk Factors For Pinched Nerves?
As noted, any time repetitive motion is involved, you could be at risk of developing it. People that use computers for work are at a high rise, as well as people who do sports for a living.
The following are factors that can also make you develop pinched nerves:
- Posture issues
- Inflammation due to Osteo or Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gender – women are more likely than men to develop this condition
- Bone spurs and/or osteoarthritis
- Thyroid disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heredity
- Pregnancy
How Are Pinched Nerves Diagnosed?
While many health care providers can make a diagnosis of it based on the patient’s description of symptoms, other tests may need to be performed to confirm a case of pinched nerves.
For example, these tests may include evaluating electrical activity inside of your muscles, a conduction study, and MRI.
Chiropractic And Physical Therapy
At Mauricio Chiropractic, we prefer to take a natural drug-free approach to treat pinched nerves. In general, the chiropractic approach to health and wellness is to treat the whole body, rather than just treating the symptoms.
Our Florida chiropractors will ensure that there is not a spinal compromise to the nerve first thing. Then we look at the rehabilitation of the muscle component by stretching or strengthening exercises. Our chiropractors will have you perform a series of stretches during your appointment. We will send you home with a list of the appropriate stretches you can perform at home to enhance the treatment you receive in our clinic.
If you think you suffer from pinched nerves, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. Our chiropractors will work wonders for you. Our chiropractic care group has 9 locations spread across Orlando, Poinciana, and Melbourne, FL.
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We provide advanced spinal correction utilizing “state of the art” chiropractic techniques. Never in the history of chiropractic have we been able to provide the level of help and expertise that now exists. These newer correction methods are even safer, more comfortable and more effective than ever before. As Doctors of Chiropractic,Our Team has years of training and experience in spinal adjustment.