If you’re experiencing pain that radiates from a joint, perhaps somewhere in your neck or back, there’s a good chance that you’re suffering from a pinched or compressed nerve. One of the first questions you might ask, therefore, is whether your local chiropractor can aid in relief. After all, they specialize in pain relief, so can a chiropractor help with pinched nerves?
Absolutely! Not only can a chiropractor help with pinched nerves, but they can help restore your body’s overall health as they also work on getting you relief from the pain as quickly as possible.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
You may not be familiar with the term, but you won’t be in any doubt of its effect! A pinched nerve’s primary symptom is pain, ranging from a mild, niggling pain to excruciating agony.
Nerves are the bundles of fibers that transmit messages between the body and the brain. In the spine, there are 31 pairs of nerves, all but one of which send information to the central nervous system. They’re highly sensitive, and without them, we wouldn’t be able to move our arms and legs, feel anything below the neck, or even breathe!
While the spinal column protects those nerves, sometimes it pinches them, causing pain. This happens when one of the vertebrae, or bones in the back, become misaligned, and press onto or pinch the nerves.
What Causes Pinched Nerves?
The spinal column goes through plenty of wear and tear throughout our lives. Sometimes just sitting with poor posture or having to work in a job where we put a lot of strain on our backs can cause weakness over time, resulting in a degeneration of the vertebrae, which then pinches the nerve.
It could also be something as quick as a car accident or lifting something without the correct technique or doing some exercise without warming up first. Some people have been known to put one of their vertebrae out of joint simply by sneezing!
Another reason for nerve pinching could be a herniated disc, which occurs when one of the spinal discs, which act as shock absorbers protecting the nerves, leak out of alignment or tears. Then, the nerves can become exposed, and at risk of being pinched or trapped between the non-protective surface of the spine.
Herniated, or ‘slipped’ discs, are one of the leading causes of sciatica. This is when the nerves in the spine are pinched to the extent where the pain can travel right down the back and down one or both legs. Sciatica can be debilitating and requires immediate care. And this is where a chiropractor comes into play, as you sit and wonder, how can a chiropractor help with pinched nerves?
As the quality of your whole life is no doubt greatly affected by the pain caused by pinched nerves, it’s important that you get help straight away.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with Pinched Nerves?
Treatments for pinched nerves are absolutely a chiropractor’s forte. The theory behind treating a pinched nerve is rooted in the knowledge that if the spine, and in fact all the body’s joints, are correctly aligned, then the nerves too will sit back in their correct places and the rest of the body will be able to heal.
With gentle but assured force, a chiropractor will manipulate the affected joint or bone until it pops back into its correct position, thus offering not only immediate relief but a long-term solution to your pain. After all, if the nerve is no longer compressed by a misaligned joint, then there’s no reason for it to cause any more agony for you.
These misalignments are known as subluxations. Wherever the subluxation has occurred, this is the site at which a chiropractor will perform the hands-on manipulation, where they move the joint back into alignment, thus restoring any loss of sensation or providing relief from the pain of the pinched nerve. Wearing specialized support braces can also help reduce immediate pain. Don’t wait to get relief!
You’d be amazed at how a joint alignment, particularly in the back and spine, can vastly improve your overall health. Relief from pinched nerves will result in you getting a better night’s sleep, in relief from headaches and migraines, and may even help lift any depression that’s been caused by life in chronic pain.
If you’re in any further doubt, then take a look at the benefits of visiting a chiropractor – the results may just surprise you!
Can a Chiropractor Help with Pinched Nerves in a Safe Way?
One of the reasons people may worry about visiting a chiropractor is that they wonder whether the procedure is safe. We understand this completely. After all, when you’re in pain, especially when you’re not sure of the cause, then the thought of someone applying any kind of hands-on technique will leave you concerned they could make the problem worse.
Here are some ways to be sure that not only can a chiropractor help with pinched nerves but that you’ll be completely safe in their care:
- Only ever book to see a qualified chiropractor and ask to see evidence of their credentials if you’re dubious. Any chiropractor worth their salt will always be happy to show you proof of their qualifications.
- Run through the history of the pain and any previous issues you’ve had with your health, including your mental health. Chiropractors can assist in helping you recover in several areas, even ones you may never have thought about before.
- Be clear about the amount of pressure you can take in your treatment. We’re especially mindful of more sensitive bodies with more delicate conditions and we like to use the gentle force approach whenever it’s necessary, so as to cause no further pain.
- Be honest about both your expectations and your results. Explain exactly what’s causing your pain, discomfort, or problem, and how you’d like to see improvements. You’re sure to find that sessions with a chiropractor surpass your expectations!
Don’t Just Take Our Word for It!
Now you know that not only can a chiropractor help with pinched nerves, but they can aid in other areas, too. But in case you’re still not sure, check out our testimonials page and hear how our previous patients have benefited.