To say that dealing with a pinched nerve is irritating is an understatement. Whether the pinched nerve is in your neck, spine, lower, or upper back, it can cause some serious pain and greatly restrict your range of motion, all of which make daily life a lot more difficult.
What Are the Signs?
Your nervous system is one of the most intricate networks in your body. When one of those nerves is pinched or impinged, it can cause severe, sometimes shooting pain along that nerve.
Some other signs may include:
- Intense pain, usually in the lower back, neck, or legs
- Muscles spasms on top of the pain
- Weakness or numbness in the region of the body related to the pinched nerve
- A “pins and needles” type of tingling
- Pain that seems to radiate away from the pinched nerve
- A “gone to sleep” sensation in one or more hands or feet constantly
In addition to these symptoms, you may also notice that a pinched nerve is irritated with certain positions. While a pinched nerve can make you less mobile, it can also give you a lot of pain when standing after being immobile for a long period of time. Your pain may also increase at night as you go to sleep.
What Cause it?
There are many reasons why a nerve in your body may become pinched or impinged. One of the most common reasons is a bulging or herniated disc in your spine. The painful condition can also be caused by:
- Repetitive motion
- Injury
- Arthritis
- Hobbies or sports activities
- Obesity
If you have a pinched nerve for just a short period, other than the pain it causes, there isn’t any permanent damage done once the pressure is relieved. However, if not treated, you can suffer chronic pain and permanently damage your nerve.
How Can You Get Relief?
Your first instinct may be to reach for the pain relievers. While they may help mask the pain, they aren’t going to help you get much relief.
Some treatments you can try to get relief include:
- Take Some Recovery Time
Give your body some time to rest and recover. If a certain activity or position irritates the pain, make sure to avoid it. Get some extra sleep and give your body some time to repair itself.
- Apply Ice and Heat
The inflammation and swelling of a muscle around your nerve can cause additional pain. Applying an ice pack and heating pad at intervals will help reduce the inflammation surrounding the nerve and relieve some of the pain.
- Isolate the Nerve
If it’s possible to brace or splint the area that is causing you pain, isolating the nerve and preventing motion can help relieve the pain greatly. For example, if you suffer from Carpal Tunnel, a pinched nerve in the wrist due to repetitive motion, you can wear a wrist brace to help keep the nerve isolated.
- Mind Your Posture
If you work in an office and sit at a desk all day, you may notice that your pinched nerve is caused by bad posture. Sit with your back straight and keep your computer at eye level to avoid hunching over.
Can a Chiropractor Help?
Absolutely! Seeking the treatment of a trained chiropractor is one of the best ways you can find relief from your pain while treating the root cause of it.
After a thorough examination and confirming that you have a pinched nerve, the chiropractor may employ a variety of techniques to help you feel better. Some of these include:
- A spinal adjustment to help put your joints back into alignment, including those discs that may be herniated and impinging the nerve.
- Stretching exercises to help loosen and relax the muscles that may be irritating the nerve.
- A postural adjustment to help you maintain proper alignment to avoid further pain from an impinged nerve.
- Teaching you how to incorporate smart flexibility routines into your daily life, such as standing and walking at specific times if you’re desk-bound.
Chiropractic treatment is the ideal way to holistically and naturally treat the pain of a pinched nerve and help your body heal. If you think you are suffering from a pinched nerve, book an appointment today with Frederick Chiropractic Wellness. We can help you get relief quickly and find ways to help you avoid another pinched nerve down the road.