Besides asking questions like "can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve?", it's equally important to look into the complications of a compressed nerve. One example of this is peripheral neuropathy. Simply put, peripheral neuropathy is a clinical term describing damage to the nerve tissues that branch out from the brain. Patients with this condition experience stabbing, burning, or shocking nerve pain on the body parts innervated by the affected tissues.

A Closer Look at Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy affects about 20 million people in the country. However, it's quite likely that the total number is a bit higher, given that some people are unaware that they have the condition. If you are among these individuals, it might help to familiarize yourself with the most commonly diagnosed types of neuropathy:

• Motor Neuropathy – This refers to nerve damage that impacts movements like walking, running, and talking. 
• Autonomic Nerve Neuropathy – It affects physiological functions you aren't aware of, including breathing and heartbeat. 
• Sensory Neuropathy – This affects what you feel, such as pain, pressure, and temperature changes. 
• Combination Neuropathy – Sometimes, patients experience a combination of two or more neuropathies. 

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend on the specific body parts affected. In most cases, the condition causes stabbing or burning pain, cramps, sleep disruptions, and numbness. Others also experience additional symptoms such as:

• Loss of balance
• Loss of sensation
• Inability to sweat
• Muscle twitching
• Poor bladder control
• Diarrhea and constipation

Because the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can indicate other health conditions, it would be best to seek a comprehensive diagnosis from your doctor. The more you understand the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, the better and more effective patient care plan you can develop.

Traumatic Injuries: A Common Cause of Peripheral Neuropathy

The root cause of peripheral neuropathy can significantly vary from one person to another. In some cases, it occurs because of the following: 

• Tumor growth
• Inherited conditions (such as the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease)
• Infections (Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, leprosy, etc.)
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Bone marrow disorders

Besides these factors, studies note that it can also develop due to traumatic injuries that force the spinal column to misalign. For example, when one suffers from neck or head trauma, the C1 and C2 bones can shift out of place. The misaligned bones tend to compress certain nerve roots that extend away from the spinal cord.

Over time, the mechanical burden caused by the postural mishap can lead to nerve damage and its highly debilitating symptoms. Thankfully, you can potentially rectify the situation with the help of gentle neck bone adjustments from an upper cervical chiropractor.

Why is Neck Posture Important in Relieving Neuropathy

Most people who wonder about questions like "can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve" aren't aware of the importance of the C1 and C2 bones in maintaining optimal health. That's because they aren't familiar with the upper cervical bones' shape, structure, and function. Let's help you address this issue with our list of facts on the cervical spine:

• The C1 and C2 bones sit directly under the skull and have a unique shape compared to other vertebral bones because they permit maximum head movements. 
• The topmost neck bones are highly susceptible to shifting after injuries like whiplash, head concussion during a sports event, rear-end car collision and physical abuse. 
• A postural misalignment along the spine can worsen due to poor posture because of the head's weight and the earth's gravitational force.
• Neck misalignments can set off additional postural problems in other sections of the spine and certain body parts because the spine has to make compromises to keep the head upright. This increases the risks of nerve pinching or compression on various body parts.
• Naturally, correcting the posture problem in the C1 and C2 bones can potentially resolve the nerve pinching issue and help the body recover from the damage. 
• Anyone can have a cervical subluxation, so it would be wise to seek an upper cervical chiropractic doctor for a comprehensive assessment of your posture. 

Can a Chiropractor Help a Pinched Nerve? 

The short answer to this question is yes. Unknown to you, the topmost bones of your cervical spine might have shifted by a tiny fraction due to previous accidents, traumatic injuries, poor posture, repetitive motion injuries, and other factors. The problem might not be that apparent until the first few signs of peripheral neuropathies appear and impact your daily life. 

If you suspect having a posture problem along your neck or notice uneven shoulders, legs, or hips, it may be time to call an Upper Cervical doctor for help. It would help to undergo the diagnostic procedure of an Upper Cervical Chiropractic doctor to know how far the bones have shifted and how badly they might have affected your nerve roots and other nearby tissues. 

A quick consultation will also help you appreciate the value of practicing proper posture techniques and caring for your spinal column. If you have never explored upper cervical chiropractic, we suggest scheduling a visit to a nearby practice. Who knows, it might just be what you need to finally resolve your postural imbalances and unlock the natural healing powers of your body. 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic has proven to be a promising remedy for various health concerns. Its natural and holistic approach is also highly revered by many, especially those who aren't keen on taking medications or undergoing invasive procedures. 

Contact a board-certified Upper Cervical doctor near you and see if you need to undergo neck bone adjustments through specific protocols like Blair, Atlas Orthogonal, NUCCA, and Knee-Chest chiropractic.

to schedule a consultation today.