When people suspect having nerve pinching, they often key in two questions in the search engine. The first one goes something like, “why do nerve pinching cause pain and numbing sensation?”. Meanwhile, the second one focuses on asking specifics on remedies, so they type, “can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?”
If you have a similar experience or have questions that somehow relate to these things, our guide on the hallmark symptoms of nerve pinching and its best remedies might help you navigate through daily challenges.
Table of Contents
A compressed nerve can cause burning or searing pain in the innervated tissue. Studies explain this mostly happens because of the overstimulation of the nerves and increased brain sensitivity.
When the nerves get irritated or compressed for a long time, they fail to communicate with the brain and nearby tissues. This causes a numbing sensation that can come and go, depending on the severity of your nerve damage.
Besides numbness, muscle weakness is also among the key complaints of patients looking for information on questions like “can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?”. Studies explain that the problem occurs because of the signal interferences between the compressed nerve and the tissues it innervates.
Nerve compression, especially along the cervical spine and vestibular system, can lead to coordination and balance problems.
Nerve compression can happen anywhere in the spine. That’s why you might notice difficulties in moving body parts like the wrist, hands, shoulders, neck, and arms.
Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves located outside the central nervous system. It mainly develops because of severe tissue damage and causes varying effects to the body, including changes in sensory perception, muscle spasms, and abnormal heart rate.
Case studies have yet to find the ultimate cause of nerve pinching. However, some researchers theorize that it happens or get worse because of various triggers, including:
Excess body weight can alter the spine’s natural curvature and force several neck bones to shift away from their original positions. Additionally, a 2017 study notes that obesity can trigger the release of nerve-damaging chemicals such as triglyceride and free fatty acids (FFA).
It becomes harder to evade health problems that compromise the spinal curvature as the body ages. Notably, around 80 percent of older people have degenerative disc diseases and weakened bones and joints. These individuals also develop nerve compression in several body parts like the neck, shoulders, hips, and legs.
Accidents or injuries that force the spinal bones to shift away from their original places can also cause nerve compression and damage. Sadly, sometimes patients aren’t aware that they have vertebral subluxation until they seek an upper cervical doctor.
RA or rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most significant contributors to the onset of nerve irritation or compression. It causes swelling in several joints – even those attached to the spinal column. And because it’s an autoimmune disorder, it’s harder to manage than other nerve compression triggers.
Nerve compression, especially along the pelvic area, worsens as the pregnancy progresses. The growing fetus can cause the vertebral bones to adjust and shift away from their natural position and impinge on nearby tissues like the sciatic nerve.
Seemingly simple activities like clicking or typing can quickly worsen nerve compression if you do them regularly. This is because they can wear out your joints and irritate nerve roots.
Pinched nerves can trigger alarming pain and impact mobility. Some cases can even lead to significant and irreversible nerve damage. However, it rarely warrants a visit to the emergency room. They can also heal quickly if they don’t’ arise from degenerative disc diseases like osteoarthritis and bulging discs.
Notably, there are only a few instances when you might need to call a doctor for help:
Nerves innervating your bladder and bowels can malfunction because of severe nerve compression in the pelvic region.
Progressive neuropathic pain often indicates nerve damage. So, if your pain doesn’t improve even after seeking every possible nerve compression remedy, we suggest calling for urgent medical assistance.
Are you among the millions of Americans who experience nerve pinching symptoms? While there isn’t a standard procedure used to address nerve compression, you might find the following remedies helpful:
Gentle and low-impact physical activities like yoga and stretching make an excellent addition to your everyday routine. They can improve your spinal structure and relieve pressure on the affected nerve roots.
Long, restful sleep at night can stimulate cell repair, especially in damaged or irritated body parts. Likewise, if you are well-rested, you have a greater chance of dealing with nerve pain effectively.
Focus on making lifestyle changes that address possible triggers of nerve pain, such as doing repetitive movements and stimulating inflammatory responses.
Upper cervical care remains one of the most sought-after remedies for nerve compression. It works wonders for patients – regardless of occupation, sex, and age because it provides holistic healing and fixes postural imbalances.
Many people wonder about the question, “can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve? The short answer to this is yes. Thousands of patients can attest to the procedure’s impressive benefits to those who used to suffer from nerve-related pain and symptoms.
If you hope to understand how the process works, we suggest consulting with a neck chiropractor. This will help you gauge the severity of your nerve compression issue and determine if misaligned neck bones are to blame for your symptoms. So search for a nearby upper cervical chiropractic doctor and get your atlas and axis checked and adjusted today!
to schedule a consultation today.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
