Did you know that a pinched spinal nerve is one of the most common causes of back pain? According to the Cleveland Clinic, a pinched nerve impacts 85 adults per 100,000 and is even more prevalent in adults over the age of 50. Since this condition can cause sharp pain in the neck, back, and limbs, it begs the question: can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve?
Learn how professionals conduct pinched nerve treatment to alleviate pain and discomfort. If you need a healthcare provider to examine your spine and relieve pain due to a pinched nerve, turn to the caring team at Align Health & Wellness. We’ll target the source of the pain and help you get back to your normal routine with less pain and discomfort.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
Your body’s nerves impact many of your movements and functions. A pinched or compressed nerve has excessive pressure pushing down on it, which results in symptoms like:
- Tingling sensations
- Muscle numbness or weakness
- Dull or sharp pain
Although you can get a pinched nerve in several areas of the body, compression of the vertebrae tends to be the most common, leading to serious neck or back pain. Patients often confuse pinched nerves and sciatica pain; however, the North American Spine Society reports that 95% of sciatica pain isn’t related to nerve compression or pinching.
If you’re wondering, “Can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve?” the answer is yes. It’s possible to fully heal when you seek professional treatment and make the necessary lifestyle changes to live healthier.
Doctors emphasize the importance of getting at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, plus adequate muscle-strengthening activities for improved physical and mental health. A pinched nerve can limit your ability to stay active and lead to a decrease in your mental well-being. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek treatment for this condition.
How To Treat a Pinched Nerve
How can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve? When you visit a clinic for chiropractic treatment, you’ll likely undergo the following procedures to locate the source of your pain and relieve it.
Give Health History and Receive a Physical Examination
A chiropractor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam so they can diagnose a pinched nerve. They may ask questions about your health and lifestyle, what type of pain you feel, and how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms. This helps them determine the cause of the injury, which can help you adjust your lifestyle to avoid further pain.
They will perform a series of exams that test your muscle strength and pain levels as well.
Take Diagnostic Images
Your provider may have you take some scans to produce images of your bones or soft tissue to reach a proper diagnosis. Common scans that confirm a diagnosis include:
- X-ray
- Computed tomography scan
- Electromyography
- Magnetic resonance imaging
Perform a Chiropractic Adjustment
How can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve? Once they diagnose nerve compression along your spine, they’ll perform a chiropractic adjustment to manipulate the soft tissue and relieve the pressure. Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan depending on the severity of the injury and pain level.
Patients with severe pain will require a different treatment plan than those whose scans show evidence of minor compression. Providers will use their expertise when manipulating the spine to release the pressure.
A Gallup study examining Americans’ perception of different back pain treatments shows a favorable response to chiropractic care. According to the study, 67% of respondents say chiropractic treatment is either “somewhat effective” or “very effective” for relieving back pain. If you believe a pinched nerve is causing your pain, visit an experienced chiropractor for answers.
Continue Treatment Through At-Home Exercises
A chiropractic adjustment can provide immediate relief for your pain, but it won’t entirely heal your injury after one treatment. You will need to continue your treatment at home and perform gentle exercises and stretches that strengthen your muscles and reduce nerve compression. Your chiropractor will show you which movements they recommend to heal your injury and tell you how often to do them.
You may need to incorporate these exercises into your daily routine to prevent future musculoskeletal injuries, such as repetitive motion injuries.
Try Other Pain Relieving Practices
A chiropractor can help with a pinched nerve, but they don’t always work alone. Chiropractors may recommend a combination of treatment plans, including:
- Continuing with regular chiropractic adjustments
- Strengthening muscles with physical therapy
- Relieving pain with massage therapy
Holistic practices like these, along with self-care, can help relieve your pain without depending on medication or invasive procedures.
Visit Align Health & Wellness for a Chiropractic Fix
Not only can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve, but they can also target other issues within your musculoskeletal system so you can live pain-free. Our providers at Align Health & Wellness specialize in treating car accident and workplace-related injuries, including pinched nerves, whiplash, and more. We utilize non-invasive practices to heal common spinal injuries.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Contact our clinic in West Windsor Township, New Jersey, at (609) 799-8444 to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Pinched Nerve Last?
A pinched nerve can last several weeks with no course of treatment. Resting and holistic treatments can speed up the healing process.
Do Pinched Nerves Go Away On Their Own?
Minor pinched nerves may heal on their own with rest. Serious compression will need further treatment to relieve the pain.
Can a Massage Fix a Pinched Nerve?
A massage will not fix a pinched nerve, though it can offer temporary pain relief. Chiropractic treatment is one of the best ways to fix nerve compression and other spinal issues.
Can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve? Yes, and they can also help with other neck and spinal issues, too. Don’t hesitate to seek treatment if you exhibit any of the top signs you need a chiropractor.
