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Few things can ruin your day quite like a pinched nerve. The pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe, hindering your ability to drive safely, perform work, or exercise. At ChiroCare of Florida, our medical specialists do everything in our power to keep our patients healthy and pain-free, including helping them avoid pinched nerves.
This article will discuss the types of pinched nerves, the causes behind pinched nerves and neural pain, ways that you can avoid this uncomfortable condition, and how to avoid pinched nerves in the future.
What causes a pinched nerve? Is the nerve actually pinche, or is it just the common name for a more complicated issue? According to the Mayo Clinic, “a pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.”
One of the reasons that pinched nerves are common in these areas is that they’re centers of motion, and with motion comes swelling, muscle tension, and damage. As chiropractors, we use spinal and joint adjustments to help our patients maintain their musculoskeletal systems, which can minimize the occurrence of pinched nerves.
The most common regions for pinched nerves are the neck, which is also referred to as cervical radiculopathy, the back’s center (thoracic radiculopathy), and the lower back (lumbar radiculopathy). However, pinched nerves can occur nearly anywhere in the body where nerves are close to joints. Some of these other areas include:
Most pinched nerves are accompanied by radiating pain, but not always. In some cases, pinched nerves can lead to numbness in the immediate area or down the neural pathway to the arms, legs, fingers, or toes. Pinched nerves can also cause weakness.
Some people feel mild tingling or a sharper “pins and needles” sensation in their affected area. Sometimes, the pinched nerve can lead a foot or hand to “fall asleep” in the same way that this occurs when blood circulation is cut off.
Pinched nerves can also restrict your motion. You may not be physically able to move certain ways, or it may just be too painful to attempt it.
Pinched nerves are usually the symptom of an underlying condition. Among the most common are minor injuries. For example, when you sleep wrong, you may wake with a pinched nerve in your neck. This is often because your sleeping position puts a strain on the muscles close to the nerve, causing swelling.
You may be able to alleviate the pressure on the nerve by resting and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. However, if the pain is persistent, you should schedule an appointment at ChiroCare of Florida. A pinched nerve could be an indication of a more serious condition. The following are all possible causes of pinched nerves.
The course of treatment that your doctor recommends depends largely on the cause of the pinched nerve. For instance, if your pain is the result of an automobile accident, a doctor may recommend physical therapy, massage, chiropractic adjustments, or even surgery.
For an occasional pinched nerve due to repetitive stress, a chiropractor may suggest a modification to the task, spinal adjustments, rest, and immobilization. Let’s examine different recommended treatments. It’s worthwhile to note that not all doctors will agree on a course of action, and some may recommend multiple treatments.
If you’ve just woken up with a pinched nerve or you sustained one by lifting a heavy object, you may only require rest and immobilization. In some cases, a day of rest and over-the-counter pain medication is sufficient to help the feeling go away. You should monitor your progress and seek medical attention if the pain doesn’t go away in a day or two.
Depending on where the pain is emanating from, many pinched nerve sufferers do exceptionally well with chiropractic adjustments. In cases where the inflammation is caused by spinal misalignment, an adjustment may provide immediate relief. Your chiropractor may also recommend massage, acupuncture, and other treatments.
Accidental injuries are nearly always accompanied by severe swelling, which can lead to a pinched nerve sensation. As you heal and the swelling starts to recede, you may need to attend physical therapy sessions to restore your abilities and musculoskeletal health. Ideally, this will help to restore your body’s alignment, reducing pressure on your nerves. In most cases, physical therapy is accompanied by other approaches to healing, including anti-inflammatories, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and more.
For some conditions, surgery may be the best treatment option. For example, if the pinched nerve is the result of a tumor or other growth, a surgeon may have to remove it. Another case would be where an old bone injury did not properly heal. In this case, a doctor might recommend that an orthopedic surgeon correct the issue.
Certain individuals have a much higher susceptibility to pinched nerves. If you’re in one of these special categories, you should take preventative measures to ensure you don’t experience recurring pinched nerves:
If you fall into one of these categories, talk to your doctor about what you can do to avoid getting pinched nerves.
So, what are some of the best ways to prevent pinched nerves? Here are some tips from our ChiroCare of Florida to help you avoid this common condition.
Pinched nerves are frequently caused by pressure to a nerve or set of nerves. Being overweight can make this much more likely. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the occurrence of this painful condition.
Try to incorporate a few minutes of stretching into your morning and bedtime routines. Throughout your workday, try to stretch at your workstation any time you feel a cramp or discomfort.
Set reminders to get up and walk around. Remaining stationary can inhibit circulation, causing swelling, which, in turn, can put pressure on the nerve.
Try to avoid repetitive tasks. If you have to perform repetitive tasks for your work, such as swinging a hammer, turning screws, or typing, take frequent rests and move the affected areas around.
Your body heals as you sleep. If you’re getting insufficient sleep, small injuries can create ideal conditions for pinched nerves.
When you don’t drink enough water, your body responds by retaining fluid, which means that you can experience significant swelling around the joints, leading to pinched nerves. Additionally, certain carby foods will also make you retain water. Finally, if you do have an injury, drinking alcoholic beverages can increase swelling around the affected area. So, drink lots of water, eat nutritious foods, and consume alcohol in moderation.
As is the case with chiropractic adjustments, massage releases toxins, increases circulation, and promotes musculoskeletal health. Regular massages not only feel great, but they can also help you avoid developing pinched nerves.
Routine adjustments can alleviate developing pressure on your spine. If you have a pinched nerve at the time of your adjustment, be certain to tell your chiropractor so they can address it during your treatment. If you don’t have a pinched nerve, consider your adjustment as a type of preventative medicine.
