Can a Chiropractor Fix a Pinched Nerve?
If you’ve noticed pain down your arms and legs, tingling, or numbness, you may be suffering from a pinched nerve or a stiff neck.
Pinched nerves are a very common problem; many people will experience this issue at one point or another.
Fortunately, while it’s commonly believed that surgical procedures are required to release the nerve, this isn’t always necessary.
Pinched nerves can be treated without invasive surgeries or strong medications.
So, can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve? The short answer is yes!
Below, we answer all of your questions about how chiropractic care can treat pinched nerves and relieve your pain.
Can a Chiropractor Diagnose a Pinched Nerve?
Yes, chiropractors can diagnose and then treat pinched nerves.
Before we explain how chiropractors do this, we need to answer an important question: what is a pinched nerve?
Nerves are responsible for sending signals throughout our bodies.
Messages travel from our brains down the spine and follow nerve paths until they reach their final destination.
Once they’ve arrived, sensory commands travel from outside the body and up the spinal cord, then back to the brain, where they are processed.
As they travel along this circuit, nerves may become pressurised or compressed. Pressure on a nerve is known as a pinched nerve.
When nerves are pinched, they are unable to function properly. This can lead to discomfort and pain. Symptoms of a pinched nerve include
- Impaired sensation in certain areas
- Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles
- Burning pain
- Sharp, shooting pain
- Muscle weakness on one side
- A feeling that certain areas have ‘fallen asleep’
A chiropractor will be able to diagnose a pinched nerve and determine the cause of the issue. They will likely run a number of manual and imaging tests to get a better picture of what’s going on in your body.
Pinched nerves can occur for a number of reasons, including
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Traumatic or sporting injuries
- Stress on the body
- Obesity and weight issues
- Diabetes
- Vitamin or nutritional deficiencies
Can a Chiropractor Help With Nerve Damage?
You might be wondering if, after they’ve diagnosed your pinched nerves, chiropractors are good for treating pinched nerves.
The answer is yes; chiropractors can fix a pinched nerve.
They offer a range of approaches for addressing pain caused by nerve damage, no matter where it is in the body.
Can a Chiropractor Fix a Pinched Nerve?
Yes, chiropractors can fix a pinched nerve.
Whether you’re unsure if a chiropractor can fix a pinched nerve in the neck, shoulder, or spine, rest assured that chiropractic care can treat and relieve your pain so that you can get back to doing what you love.
Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations work to manage nerve symptoms such as muscle weakness or numbness.
Pinched nerves are often caused by spinal alignment issues related to the tissues in the body (the bones, ligaments, cartilage, muscle tissue and tendons).
If everything is functioning properly, these body tissues shouldn’t compress the nerves. If they are, they will need to be realigned.
A chiropractor will use manual therapy to adjust the alignment of these body tissues and free the trapped nerve.
They may also use other therapies to complement this work, such as
- Ice therapy, which reduces overall inflammation that occurs due to the pinched nerve.
- TENS, which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. A TENS unit sends electrical stimulation to the muscle to minimise pain and cramping.
- Ultrasound, which uses sound waves and heat to massage soft tissues, increase circulation, and reduce muscle pain and spasms.
Can Chiropractors Prescribe Medication?
No, chiropractors will not prescribe you medication. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive treatment practice that is drug and surgery-free.
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal concerns through therapeutic techniques.
Chiropractors must complete five years of university education to become qualified in this non-invasive approach.
Ultimately, chiropractors take a holistic approach to fixing pinched nerves, focusing on the musculoskeletal concerns and your overall well-being, posture, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and emotional stress management.
Can a Chiropractor Cause a Pinched Nerve?
No, provided they have been trained properly and use the prescribed therapeutic techniques, chiropractors will not cause a pinched nerve.
Chiropractors are highly skilled at safely navigating and adjusting the spine and surrounding muscle tissues. A good chiropractor will take great care to ease your pain gently and with caution.
You may feel a bit sore in your muscles and back after your adjustment, but this is completely normal. This signals that your body is responding to the adjustment and learning to return to its proper form.
Post-adjustment pain shouldn’t last more than 24 hours. Over time, as your body becomes used to receiving adjustments, your post-appointment pain will lessen.
If you’re feeling nervous about manual adjustments, discuss this with your chiropractor. They will be able to talk you through your concerns and your options.
MyChiro: Chiropractors for Your Pinched Nerve
There’s no need to move through life in pain.
Chiropractors can fix your pinched nerve so you can live without pain and discomfort.
At MyChiro, we understand that you’re looking for true, long-lasting pain relief. MyChiro is one of the leading chiropractic clinics in Sydney, and our expert chiropractors have successfully treated over 3000 patients.
Our chiropractors take the time to explain your symptoms from a chiropractic perspective. We’ll also teach you how to read your X-rays so that you feel completely confident in your treatment plan.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how our chiropractors can fix your pinched nerve.