A pinched nerve occurs when an object presses down on one or more nerve sections, interfering with the proper nerve function. The pressure on the nerve can cause pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the hands or feet, weakness in an arm or leg, and loss of balance. It can also affect the cell, muscle, organ, or tissue that the nerve supplies with energy and information, resulting in the loss of proper function.
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Over 100 million nerve fibers in the human body make up the peripheral nervous system. Nerves perform many functions that control movements and stimuli. Nerves carry information between the body and the brain. Signals sent by the brain through the vast nerve network control the sensation of pain and emotional responses such as anxiety or excitement. Fingers and toes can sense temperature, pressure, texture, and pain because of information the brain interprets from the extremities. Our digestive system breaks down food and absorbs nutrients, our glands release hormones to maintain homeostasis, and our heart beats, all because of the signals that travel through our nerves.
$79 New Patient Special
- 1-on-1 Consultation
- Neurological Exam
- Comprehensive Movement Analysis
- Computerized Postural Assessment
- Digital X-rays (if necessary)
- AND Detailed Doctor’s Report of Findings
A chiropractor’s role is to alleviate the pressure on the nerves and restore natural neural function. Chiropractic care can improve your work-life balance, prevent mental and physical pain, reduce tension, and improve your immune system. A pinched nerve is a problem that occurs in the central nervous system when pressure is applied to the nerve causing an injury leading to a loss of function in one or more areas. A pinched nerve can be caused by repetitive stress or a single trauma, such as fractures or dislocations.
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How We Treat Pinched Nerve Pain in Boulder, CO
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
A doctor of chiropractic will begin by asking a patient about their condition and history. The doctor will also ask about any current medications the patient is taking. The doctor will then perform a physical exam to check for signs and symptoms that may be causing the problem. The doctor may also conduct orthopedic, neurological, and other exams. Laboratory tests ensure that the problem is not caused by illness or disease. A chiropractor must thoroughly understand the patient’s health history, symptoms, and physical findings. By doing so, the examination will be more focused, and treatment will be more effective.
Specific Chiropractic Care In Boulder, CO
Chiropractic goes beyond clinical skills and examines the patient’s physiology. Chiropractors have developed a set of safe, simple, and effective treatment protocols that help patients understand their bodies, improve posture, and correct muscle imbalances. The result restores health and quality of life to their patients.
It follows the philosophy that healing and restoration of health occur naturally when body systems function optimally. Chiropractic adjustments restore the spine’s normal motion, thus reducing pain and enhancing healing. It helps to improve overall well-being and energy levels in the body. Chiropractic care can help with many conditions, including arthritis, asthma, allergies, headaches, back pain, chest pains, stress, depression, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, and chronic pain.
Chiropractors adjust patients’ spine, neck, and extremities to optimize function and healing. They use a variety of techniques, such as spinal manipulation, soft tissue work, postural adjustments, and custom therapeutic exercises. The goal is to restore proper musculoskeletal function and ensure the nervous system is free of interference.
A pinched nerve can cause pain but also stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, infertility, digestive issues, heart problems, trouble breathing, sleep disorders, etc. It is important to treat the cause of the pinched nerve and not just the symptomatic pain. Pain is the body’s alarm alerting us to a problem. Fixing the problem will silence the alarm.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
After a thorough history and consultation, your chiropractor may assemble a set of exercises specific to your needs and health goals. Movement is life, and staying active helps accelerate healing. The exercises are designed to strengthen weak muscles and relax tense ones. Strengthening the muscles that stabilize the spine will help your spine maintain its proper structure and encourage proper nerve flow. This helps prevent injury and the adverse effects of repetitive activities that can degrade spinal structure and lead to subluxation.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal Decompression relieves pressure on the spinal discs to help them rehydrate and heal. The spine is in constant motion, and during regular daily activities, if the nerves are compressed, they may become irritated. Between each vertebra sit our spinal discs, which aid movement and allow the nerves to exit the spinal cord to service the body. When those discs become injured – bulged or herniated – they can put pressure on the nerves causing pain and dysfunction. Decompression relieves the pressure those discs are under, reducing the stress they place on the nerves, restoring functioning, and alleviating pain.
Massage Therapy
Massage can relax trigger points and tight muscles. Trigger points are muscle areas that throb when pressure is applied. Trigger points may feel like knots or sharp joints, while they appear as small bumps. These trigger points often cause pain and interfere with normal body functions, especially in the back and shoulder muscles. Tense muscles can pinch and compress nerves, and massage helps release tension to restore balance to the musculature.
Deep Tissue Laser
We may use a deep tissue laser to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation. By stimulating the cell’s energy producer – the mitochondria – the laser speeds up the healing process, reducing pain and inflammation. Laser is a gentle and soothing process that takes less than 15 minutes.
Common Causes of Pinched Nerve in Boulder, CO
Subluxation
Chiropractors are the only practitioners trained to identify and correct subluxations. Subluxation is spinal dysfunction, a misalignment of the spine that puts pressure on adjacent nerves causing dysfunction and pain. A subluxation can also restrict spinal motion and flexibility. It is a structural problem that requires a structural solution. No lotion, potion, or pill can fix a spinal misalignment. Chiropractors use chiropractic adjustments to restore spinal function, improve mobility, and reduce pain.
Arthritis
When damaged joints are more susceptible to injury, especially when they have lost cartilage and lubrication, in addition to causing joint pain, arthritis can cause pinched nerve symptoms and back pain. When the spine is damaged due to arthritis or injuries, the vertebrae can rub together and cause a pinched nerve. It can also cause abnormal curvature of the spine, leading to pinched nerves.
Bulged and Herniated Disc
Our spinal discs that sit between each vertebra consist of a gel-like center surrounded by a rigid, fibrous outer layer. As the discs wear down and dehydrate, the outer fibers tear, and the soft, gel-like center can push against nearby nerves, pinching them and disrupting their function.
When the outer layer of the disc tears completely, the center breaks through and sits on the nerve end. Herniated discs tend to be more painful than bulged discs as they make direct contact with the nerve. Decompression and an anti-inflammatory diet can help the discs heal and restore them to their proper shape.
Muscle Strain
Muscle spasms can occur from overexertion or trauma. When muscles contract, and the nerve is compressed, it is called a “trigger point.” A muscle spasm may feel like an itchy, painful knot in a muscle. Muscles can also become tight when nerves are irritated by injury or disease. Tight muscles may compress nerves and cause pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in the hands and feet. It is common for individuals who lead a sedentary life, are older, or have existing back and joint problems to experience muscle spasms. Spasms can also be caused by poor posture and stress. Muscle spasms can be triggered by sleeping in an awkward position, overuse of muscles, or a traumatic injury to the affected area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in Boulder, CO, good for a pinched nerve?
Yes! A chiropractic adjustment can help mobilize your spine to immediately relieve your pain and other symptoms. They will be able to diagnose the root cause of your problems. A chiropractor can also recommend exercises and other treatments to help you recover from pain.
Can a chiropractor make nerve pain worse?
No. A chiropractor is trained to work with your medical condition and will always consider this when performing treatment. They correct spinal misalignments to restore proper nerve function.
How do chiropractors know where to adjust?
A thorough consultation and exam are always done before any adjustment. Orthopedic and neurological exams can pinpoint the exact location of subluxation so we can apply specific pressure to resolve the issue. In some cases, we may also take X-rays.
How long does it take a pinched nerve to heal?
The amount of time it takes to recover depends on the root cause of the issue and how long it’s been going on. It is essential to treat the injury correctly so that it does not become a chronic problem.
How often should you see a chiropractor?
You should see a chiropractor as often as needed. It helps to keep your spine, body, and nervous system in good working order. It is an excellent way to relieve pain and optimize nervous system function naturally.
What does it feel like to pinch a nerve?
A pinched nerve may feel like an intermittent ache. It can be very uncomfortable and feel like your nerve will pop or hurt. Pinched nerves can make muscles tense up, causing the pain to spread. An ache can be felt in the hands, feet, or arms and could affect your legs or back, and many people may have numbness in their hands or feet.
What happens if you let a pinched nerve go untreated?
When a pinched nerve goes untreated or isn’t treated correctly, it can lead to more serious pain and problems. It is important not to ignore the problem, as pain will worsen over time and become harder to treat if you wait too long to get help.
$79 New Patient Special
Includes 1-on-1 Consultation, Neurological Exam, Comprehensive Movement Analysis, Computerized Postural Assessment, Digital X-rays (if necessary), and Detailed Doctor’s Report of Findings.