- June 26, 2023
There are two ways to seek relief from a pinched nerve: physiotherapy and chiropractic adjustments. A pinched nerve can be painful and debilitating enough to make you uncomfortable and unhappy, leading to a negative impact on your quality of life.
Our chiropractic healthcare team can help you. Chiropractic medicine addresses the root of your pain. Your physician can offer beneficial treatment for a pinched nerve, helping to restore your physical agility, wellness, and your preferred lifestyle. Call us at (239) 369-9109 to set up your initial appointment with one of our physicians.
How Can Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve a Pinched Nerve?
Mayo Clinic research describes a chiropractic adjustment as a procedure where a chiropractor uses sudden force along your spine to manipulate it into specific positions and alignment. While most adjustments are done with the chiropractor’s hands, some may use small, specialized instruments. A chiropractic adjustment can increase mobility and range of motion.
Discover the Right Kind of Chiropractic Adjustment for Your Pinched Nerve
Everybody is different and will respond differently to treatment for a pinched nerve, so your healthcare team will customize a treatment plan for you. Chiropractic adjustment options include:
- Diversified adjustments, using gentle pressure
- Seated diversified adjustments, ideal for neck and shoulder pain
- Lumbar side posture adjustments, focusing on lower back pain
- Thompson Drop-Table Technique to limit force and reduce pain and worsening injuries
- Knee-chest adjustments that allow your doctor to target your neck and upper back
- Manual extremity adjustments that focus on addressing hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist discomfort
- Toggle recoil offers gentle, soothing treatments for sensitive patients and spines
- Activator method, using a special instrument to apply lower force and provide greater control
- Sacral-occipital technique (SOT) allows focused adjustments on the head, neck, pelvis, and extremities
- Flexion-distraction to target pinched nerves and directly address limited mobility
Your chiropractor will review these treatment options and prescribe the single or combined options that best address your pinched nerve. Choices can depend on location, severity, and degree of pain.
How Physiotherapy Can Relieve a Pinched Nerve
As part of a chiropractic treatment program, physiotherapy focuses on medication-free pain relief and addresses the root cause of your suffering, rather than medicating individual symptoms.
Physiotherapy is the science of movement. It uses specific techniques to treat pinched nerves and other issues of rigidness, inflexibility, and pain. It also addresses and can lessen the discomfort of co-occurring conditions, including weakness, numbness, tingling, and muscle spasms.
Understanding the Varying Components of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy takes a whole-body approach to healing and wellness. To treat your pinched nerve and find the right treatment for you, your chiropractor will review the following physiotherapy techniques:
- Massage, which can improve circulation and relieve pain and stiffness
- Rehabilitation, which can increase range of motion and rebuild muscle strength
- Stretching and strengthening, which can make movement and motion easier
- Electrical muscle stimulation (E-STIM), which can treat pain with small electrical pulses
- Ultrasound therapy, which uses soothing sound waves to promote tissue healing
The location of your pinched nerve and the progression of your treatment can help your physician determine which form of physiotherapy will work best for you. As you start to feel better, your treatment plan may change.
Physiotherapy, also called physical therapy, can also involve stretches and other posture-correcting practices you can continue at home. These can prolong the effects of chiropractic care, lead to long-lasting relief, and improve your quality of life.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve is compressed by its surrounding tissues. This condition can occur in almost any part of your body, but is often seen in the:
- Neck
- Upper middle back
- Lower back
- Hand
- Elbow
- Wrist
While painful, a pinched nerve can respond well to treatment, and you can find the relief you need. A chiropractor can assess your current condition, offer a definitive diagnosis, and develop a treatment protocol for you.
What Warning Signs Indicate a Pinched Nerve?
Do not allow a pinched nerve to linger without treatment. At the first sign of discomfort, seek appropriate medical care. According to Cleveland Clinic research, the signs and symptoms that might suggest a pinched nerve include:
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Shooting pain
- Tingling
Feeling like your hand or foot has fallen asleep can also indicate a pinched nerve. Talk to your healthcare team if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve can be caused by a variety of injuries and medical conditions. As your chiropractor evaluates your condition and determines how to cure a pinched nerve, they will address the following potential causes:
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Repetitive motion duties
- The natural process of aging
Excessive weight gain and obesity can also lead to a pinched or compressed nerve. Understanding the specific cause of your pinched nerve can lead to an effective course of treatment.
How Is a Pinched Nerve Diagnosed?
Treating pinched nerve pain starts with an accurate diagnosis. In addition to a thorough physical exam, a pinched nerve is diagnosed using:
- X-ray to let your doctor visualize fractures and changes to your spinal cord
- CT scan to let your doctor see images of your spine in greater detail
- MRI to let your doctor see compressed nerves and spinal cord damage
- Electromyography to take measurements of nerve damage
Your physician will also ask questions about your lifestyle, activities, and nutrition to choose a treatment plan and to encourage healthy habits that can improve your overall health.
Find Out How Chiropractic Medicine Can Help You Find Relief
If you have been diagnosed with a pinched nerve, you already know the pain and discomfort it can cause. Our chiropractic healthcare team can help you. Contact our patient intake team at Specific Care Chiropractic to learn more about getting treatment for a pinched nerve and the two ways you can get relief.
Call us at (239) 369-9109 to get started on the road to improved health and wellness today.
