Can a Fairfax chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve (radiculopathy) is a term that refers to a wide range of symptoms produced by pinching of a nerve root in a spinal column. The uncomfortable condition is associated with a great deal of pain and discomfort that affect your quality of life. While sometimes unbearable, the pinched nerve is manageable, and a chiropractic care center in Fairfax, VA, can help.
How can chiropractic care help pinched nerves?
Professional chiropractors have extensive knowledge or understanding of the body and all the nerves. For that reason, they know where to apply pressure to alleviate tension, decrease pain, and speed up recovery.
Chiropractic care for a pinched nerve revolves around re-aligning the spine to restore optimal health. This approach is particularly useful if the bone causes the pinched nerve. In this case, chiropractic adjustment can manipulate the bone back into the correct position.
Evidence confirms that chiropractic treatment consisting of soft tissue mobilization, manipulation, and exercise can reduce the symptoms of nerve compression.
What is the leading cause of pinched nerves?
A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues apply excessive compression (pressure) to a nerve. In some patients, these surrounding tissues are bones or cartilage, but tendons or muscles can cause a pinched nerve in other instances.
Various conditions can cause compression of a nerve or multiple nerves. These include obesity, injury, rheumatoid or wrist arthritis, sports activities, and stress from repetitive work. A herniated disc can also cause a pinched nerve.
Permanent damage doesn’t occur when a nerve is pinched for a short time. Once the problem is fixed, the nerve functions normally. However, continued pressure on the nerve may induce chronic pain and permanent damage.
What symptoms should you look for?
The most common symptoms of a pinched nerve include:
- Pain (sharp, burning, radiating outward)
- Pins and needles sensation
- Numbness or reduced sensation in the area supplied by the affected nerve
- Muscle weakness in the affected area
- Frequent feeling that a hand/foot has fallen asleep
The symptoms may aggravate when you’re sleeping.
Are there any effective treatments or preventive measures?
Chiropractic treatment is considered an effective treatment for a pinched nerve. What makes this approach the best is that it focuses on the cause of the problem. That way, chiropractic treatment can alleviate pain and support overall health. The chiropractor also shows you what exercises and stretches to do, what to avoid, and how to keep your spine and nerves healthy. Chiropractic is a whole-person strategy, and proper spinal manipulation could also prevent problems such as pinched nerves from returning.
What about drugs for pinched nerve pain?
While taking a pill to alleviate pain may seem easy, this is not the most helpful approach in managing pinch nerves. Drugs mask the symptoms and do not fix the root cause of the problem. Pain relief, in this case, is temporary. Your primary mission should be to focus on targeting the root cause to eliminate pain permanently. Prescription drugs could increase the risk of misuse and dependence. Plus, many of them have a broad spectrum of side effects.
What should you do if you suffer?
If you suffer, the best thing to do to help yourself is to schedule an appointment to receive a spinal adjustment. Remember, as much as the pain becomes unbearable, you don’t need surgery, and drugs won’t be of great help either. Chiropractic adjustment stands as the effective, natural, and noninvasive treatment option for a pinched nerve.
