Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve? This is perhaps one of the top questions chiropractors get every time they welcome a new patient. After all, having a pinched nerve can be quite an uncomfortable and nerve-wracking experience. It also causes mild to severe pain and increases risks for debilitating health issues like back pain and sciatica, especially if it involves your sciatic nerve.
If you have a pinched sciatic nerve, our quick discussion below can help you figure out if upper cervical care is a good relief option for you. This way, you can start your consultation and receive upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.
What Does a Pinched Sciatic Nerve Feel?
As the name suggests, a pinched nerve refers to a compressed or irritated nerve. It happens when tissues like bones or muscles put pressure on nerve roots. The affected nerves suffer from damages that may be temporary or long-term, depending on how fast you can relieve the stress.
On the one hand, the sciatic nerve refers to the longest bundle of nerves in the body. It runs from your lower back to the tips of your toes. When this nerve gets pinched or compressed, you will most likely experience a plethora of symptoms, including the following:
1. Pain in your lower back
People who come to upper cervical chiropractors for a pinched nerve report back pain as their symptom. And while it can be a just symptom, sometimes it’s your body’s way of telling you that you have a spinal bone misalignment, a problem your upper cervical chiropractor can fix.
2. Numbness, tingling, or weakness
Patients with a pinched sciatic nerve deal with tingling or numbing sensation. Sometimes, it only affects the back, but it can quickly radiate to the hips, thighs, legs, and toes.
3. Burning sensation
A pinched sciatic nerve often causes a burning sensation on the affected body parts. Some patients note that the feeling comes and goes, especially when they sit for long hours.
4. Difficulty controlling the urinary bladder and bowels
The sciatic nerve performs several complex functions. That’s why, when it gets compressed or irritated, you become susceptible to complications. If you struggle to control your bladder or bowel movement, then you might have developed cauda equina syndrome. We strongly recommend calling your primary doctor.
Ways to Improve a Pinched Sciatic Nerve
Before we take a deeper dive into your question, “can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?” Let’s look at other possible remedies that patients use to combat the effects of a pinched nerve:
Take NSAIDs according to your doctor’s prescription
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often the go-to remedies for patients with a pinched sciatic nerve. That’s because NSAIDs provide quick relief from the pain. However, if you opt for this option, we recommend following your doctor’s instructions to a tee. This way, you can avoid becoming drug-dependent.
Make necessary changes to your workstation
If you have transitioned to remote working, you will need to assess your workspace. Is it ergonomic? Do you have a comfortable and sturdy chair and desk? It’s critical to ensure that your neck and back get enough support. Otherwise, you put more pressure on the compressed nerve.
Try applying cold or hot compress
Hot and cold compress works well in alleviating pain and soreness. This works if you know when to use them. According to studies, an ice pack or cold compress works well for reducing soreness. Then, it would help if you used a hot compress to stimulate healing.
Include exercise in your daily routine
Engaging in low-impact exercises like swimming and walking can help loosen up muscles that may be contributing to the pinching problem. It can also strengthen your core and release your body’s natural pain relievers.
Can A Chiropractor Fix A Pinched Nerve?
Besides the pinched nerve remedies we shared above, you might also find it helpful to consult with an upper cervical chiropractor. Because chances are, you have a neck bone misalignment. Consequently, the minor changes in your neck’s curvature might have caused the pinching sensation on your sciatic nerve.
Many patients with mild to severe pinched nerve problems opt to have their neck bones checked—and most of these people have successfully rid of their pinched nerve symptoms after receiving their upper cervical adjustments.
To understand why upper chiropractic care works great for pinched nerve problems, we listed some of its benefits:
Clear focus
Upper cervical care focuses on correcting misalignments along the topmost neckbones or the C1 and C2 bones. So besides helping you restore spinal health, it can also release pressure on the brainstem, an organ that controls several functions, including processing pain and pressure stimuli.
A gentle and natural form of healing
If you are not keen on managing your symptoms with pain relievers, upper cervical care makes a perfect technique to pursue. It’s natural, gentle, and safe, so it helps your body cope better.
Precision and accuracy
Precision and accuracy play a pivotal role in restoring your cervical spine’s neutral alignment. That’s why upper cervical care doctors need to obtain exact measurements of your neck bone changes.
So, can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve? Yes, of course! It’s a proven approach to recovering from a pinched nerve. Thousands of patients have managed to get rid of their discomfort thanks to this natural and holistic pinched nerve remedy.
You can contact an upper cervical care doctor to learn more about the options to relieve a pinched sciatic nerve.
to schedule a consultation today.