If you’ve heard of pinched nerves, you likely have an idea how they can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, it’s a pain that can be difficult to ignore. Sometimes you have to stop your activities as the ache becomes unbearable. Upper Cervical Care is one pain relief option for patients with pinched nerves to manage their condition.
Recently, English actress, author, and columnist Joan Collins appeared on news sites when she was airlifted to the hospital because of pinched nerves. Her representatives described her pain as brutal and excruciating. Luckily, according to reports, the 89-year-old icon is now on the mend. She is back home, walking around, and recovering.
Reports like this sometimes rattle and cause confusion and panic to many people, especially those unfamiliar with pinched nerves. If you find yourself in the same situation, knowing how you should react and your next steps will be ideal. It will be especially helpful to know beyond the basics about pinched nerves.
We’ve summarized important information worth knowing and understanding about pinched nerves to ease your worries and help you plan an appropriate response should the need arises.
Pinched nerves can occur in different areas of your body, such as:
This can happen because of compression and inflammation of the nerve roots in your cervical spine area. A compressed nerve in the neck can trigger a stiff neck, which can eventually cause pain and numbness in the shoulder and arm.
A pinched nerve in this part causes numbness and pain that wraps around the front side of your body. This is also the least expected area for pinched nerves.
Pinched nerves in the lower back usually trigger pain in your lower back that radiates down to your hips, buttocks, and legs. Many people experience this because of the narrowing of the area where the nerve roots of your spine end due to bone spurs, disc herniation, or stenosis, among other conditions.
This might be a cause for concern to many as it may raise fears of other severe health concerns. A pinched nerve in your chest usually causes pain in your chest area accompanied by sharp, aching, or burning pain that can radiate outwards. There may also be the presence of tingling, pins and needles sensations, and muscle weakness in the affected area.
Pinch nerves in these areas are usually due to carpal tunnel syndrome. You will notice numbness, tingling sensation, and weakness in the affected hand and fingers because of the pressure on the nerve and its surrounding issues.
A pinched nerve is usually painful and bothersome. However, this is usually manageable with proper care, and most people who complain of pinched nerves can fully recover. Most pinched nerve cases last a few days but can also linger between four (4) to six (6) weeks. If, in any case, it’s been bothering you for a lot longer than that, it’s time to call your doctor or explore alternative care such as Upper Cervical Care before your condition gets worse.
A pinched nerve happens when the surrounding tissues, bone spurs, or misalignment in certain areas surrounding the nerve is compressed and endures excessive pressure. As a result, you may feel numbness, weakness, or tingling in the affected part that can be debilitating and even affect your mobility.
If you have been enduring the pain and discomfort for over six weeks, you will need to pay closer attention to your pinched nerves. Ignored or unaddressed pinched nerves can progress and trigger chronic pain, eventually leading to permanent damage to the affected nerves. If you notice that your pinched nerves have not improved and might get worse, bring it up with your healthcare provider.
Anyone is at risk of pinched nerves, but most adults aged 50 or older are more susceptible to this condition due to different health conditions such as spine degeneration, arthritis, and other conditions.
Your body has a natural capability of healing on its own. In the case of pinched nerves, sometimes it can heal on its own with proper rest, but there are instances that a pinched nerve will require medical intervention or an alternative option such as Upper Cervical Chiropractic care.
The only sure way to know the proper care is through a thorough examination and diagnosis from a healthcare provider. Depending on your condition, below are some remedy options that can work for you:
An upper cervical spine misalignment has been linked to numerous pinched nerve cases. This may be due to an injury or trauma in the neck or head. In addition, a series of repetitive stress endured by this part of your spine can also cause misalignments and pinched nerves.
A chiropractic doctor can help determine if a misalignment is linked to your pinched nerve through physical examinations, x-ray, and other measuring tools if necessary. If they confirm that misalignment is present, you will be presented with a specific recommendation to manage your condition.
Usually, it will involve moving your upper cervical bones using a gentle and safe technique to help your body heal naturally. This manipulation will also relieve your nerves from stress and pressure by correcting your bone’s alignment, eventually removing any interference in your blood flow. Once your nerve pressure is relieved, your muscles, tissues, joints, and ligaments will slowly return to their normal function, and your symptoms will slowly disappear.
You can efficiently manage your pinched nerves to avoid extreme circumstances such as the need to be airlifted for emergency care. With the help of a trusted Upper Cervical Care doctor, you can relieve your nerves from excessive stress and pressure and free yourself from pain and discomfort.
Experienced Upper Cervical Chiropractic doctors are passionate about providing precise and gentle adjustments for patients of all ages. To find a licensed Upper Cervical chiropractor, you can visit our doctors' directory who practice unique Upper Cervical Chiropractic techniques, including NUCCA, Blair, Orthospinology, Atlas Orthogonal, EPIC, Knee Chest, and more.
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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.
