A pinched nerve can bring life to a halt. The sharp, shooting pain, numbness, or persistent weakness can make even simple tasks feel impossible. If you’re suffering, a chiropractor for a pinched nerve may be able to provide the targeted relief you’ve been looking for by addressing the root cause of the compression.
Key Takeaways
- Chiropractic adjustments can directly relieve the spinal or joint compression that is pinching the nerve.
- Treatment is non-surgical and works to restore normal spinal mechanics to eliminate the source of nerve irritation.
- Most patients experience significant improvement in pain and function within a course of treatment.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve, medically known as nerve compression or radiculopathy, occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s function, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the path of that nerve. It can happen anywhere in the spine, but the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) are the most common sites.
How a Chiropractor Treats a Pinched Nerve
The chiropractic approach to a pinched nerve focuses on removing the structural cause of the compression. A thorough assessment, which may include physical examination and orthopedic tests, helps the chiropractor pinpoint the exact location and cause of the nerve compression. Spinal adjustments are then used to restore proper alignment and take pressure off the affected nerve.
