Symptoms Of Pinched Nerves
A network of nerves spreads through the spine and out to the rest of our bodies, so a pinched nerve can occur anywhere along the course of our nervous system. Symptoms of a pinched nerve can occur at the location where the nerve is compressed, but also at an area some distance away (ie. arms and legs). Symptoms may include: burning/shooting pain in arms or legs, numbness/tingling, muscle spasms, neck/low back pain, decrease in range of motion, and more. There are a number reasons why nerves may be pinched, some of them include (but are not limited to): disc herniations, subluxations, spinal degeneration, arthritis, and injury.
01
Back/Neck Pain
Depending on the location of the pinched nerves, patients often complain of pain in the region. Nerves can be pinched anywhere along the spine. Pinched nerves in the neck region will cause neck pain and pinched nerves in the low back region can cause low back pain.
02
Muscle Spasms
When our nerves get pinched, our body recognizes the problem and responds cramping the muscles around the area to ‘protect’ from further damage. If left alone, chronic muscle spasms can cause degeneration to the spine and further worsen th problem.
03
Arm/Leg Pain
The nerves from our spine exit and supply our arms/hands (from the neck) and the supply our legs/feet (from the lower back). Therefore, pinched nerves in the spine can cause pain to shoot and travel to the arms and legs.
How to know if you have a Pinched Nerves
Pinched nerves can cause an array of symptoms including (but not limited to): Neck/Low back pain, numbness/tingling in the hands and feet, muscular spasms, burning pain, loss of normal range of motion, and muscle weakness. Patients with low back pinched nerves often find it painful to perform tasks such as: repetitive bending, mopping, sweeping, lifting, getting up from seated position and others. Patients with pinched nerves in the neck may find it painful to perform tasks such as: turning the neck, driving, sleeping, straining the neck, looking up, gripping with hands (ex. pen or cup), and more.
Treatment options for Pinched Nerves
There are a wide variety of treatment options when it comes to dealing with pinched nerves. If you think you have a pinched nerve and have not improved, we can help.
Nothing
Many patients suffer with pinched nerves without relief for months or even years. Pinched nerves usually don’t improve without proper treatment.
Spinal decompression/traction
Spinal decompression works by reducing pressure within the discs allowing your nerves to heal. This is best when combined with spinal manipulation.
Spinal surgery
Surgery is the last resort for patients suffering from pinched nerves. Only a small percentage of the population need to undergo surgery. The purpose of surgery is to save the pinched nerve from permanent damage or relieve unrelenting severe pain.
Spinal manipulation
Spinal manipulation can help with pinched nerves by improving the spinal biomechanics and ‘freeing up’ the nerves giving the nerve a chance to begin healing.
Spinal injections
Injections primarily treat the symptoms or nerve pain related to disc herniations. Injections can be combined with other conservative treatments such as manipulation and decompression.
