A pinched nerve is a form of nerve injury that often results in numbness, pins and needles sensation, and radiating pain. It can occur in specific regions in the spinal column, including the lower back. Lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica, or a pinched nerve in the lower back affects about 3 to 5 percent of the population. This condition can easily cause severe disability and discomfort. If left unresolved, it can lead to long-term problems like permanent nerve damage.
Learn about how you can cope with a pinched nerve in the lower back in our discussion below. Check out the top options that patients use and how each remedy can help you manage your symptoms.
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The lumbar or lower back spine consists of five pairs of nerves. Each pair innervates or supplies sensation to specific parts of the lower extremities. Here’s a quick overview of the five lumbar spinal nerves:
In some cases of lumbar pain, the nerve pinching occurs at the sciatic nerve, which comprises five nerves, namely L4, L5, and S1 to S4.
Unfortunately, when bones, muscles, and blood vessels compress or pinch any of the nerve pairs, you experience searing pain and other notable symptoms such as:
If you have a rare case of sciatica pain or if your condition has significantly progressed into nerve damage, you might experience additional symptoms. Two examples include urinary incontinence and pain on both sides of the lower body.
If you observe such symptoms, we recommend calling your doctor and receiving emergency assistance right away.
Sometimes, lower back pain can go away on its own. This is common primarily if the pain stems from physical overexertion at work. However, if the problem arises from other conditions such as a previous injury, herniated discs, bone spurs, neck misalignment, and spinal stenosis, you may need medical attention.
Below are some of the usual remedies that patients seek when they experience mild to severe lower back pain:
The simple answer to the question is yes. Studies on lower back pain show that upper cervical care can help patients experience lasting and sustainable relief. But how exactly can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve along the lower back?
The answer lies in the design and function of your neck. The neck is a specialized structure that balances and supports the head. More importantly, it houses the brainstem and several nerve roots. Unfortunately, if the neck bones shift from their original alignment, they can press on the nerves and spinal column. The rest of the spine might also need to adjust, resulting in nerve pinching or compression in areas such as the lower back.
If your lower back pain doesn’t improve after trying home remedies or medication, you can check out upper cervical chiropractic. It’s a practical and holistic procedure that fixes faulty neck alignment. Gradually and carefully, an upper cervical doctor adjusts the neck bones. Once your bones ease back in place, you can relieve the pressure on the nerve roots and restore balance along the spinal column.
Overall, the procedure aims to help you manage lower back pain and other symptoms. It’s an excellent option to try, especially if you suspect neck bone misalignment due to an injury, physical trauma, obesity, and poor sitting or standing posture.
Want to see more evidence on your question, “can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve in the lower back?” Find a nearby upper cervical chiropractor for your pinched nerve in the lower back today and start seeing results!
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.