Can a Chiropractor Help with a Pinched Nerve? 

Yes, one of the most beneficial ways to treat a pinched nerve is chiropractic adjustments because it addresses the pain at its source. Seeking chiropractic care for a pinched nerve can provide immediate and significant relief to the patient. 

The root cause of a pinched nerve is usually irritation or inflammation around the nerve potentially caused by bones, joints, or muscles that have become misaligned in some way. It is a problem within the musculoskeletal system, which is why chiropractic care is the most beneficial treatment option. The chiropractic adjustment restores the proper mobility of a joint and by doing so, it relieves the pressure on the nerve. 

Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

Symptoms of a pinched nerve include:

• Numbness or tingling in the area supplied by the nerve
• Sharp, aching, or burning pain, which may radiate outward
• Muscle weakness in the affected area
• Often feeling as if a foot or hand has "fallen asleep”
• Symptoms that become worse when asleep

Treatment of a Pinched Nerve

An adjustment is the most significant part of the treatment for a pinched nerve, however, at Team Elite we use a multi-faceted approach to patient care. In addition to the adjustment, we’d also incorporate cupping, laser therapy, and corrective exercises. 

Cupping is a myofascial decompression technique that we achieve by suctioning the skin and fascia using small cups and a plunging tool. We place various-sized cups around the area where the nerve is pinched and use a plunger tool to create a negative pressure by removing the air out of the cups. This will lift the skin and fascia and bring blood flow to the area which will promote healing and decrease pain. 

Laser Therapy works through a process called photobiomodulation to stimulate the cells to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is cellular energy, otherwise known as the body’s energy source. The stimulation of ATP speeds up your body’s natural healing ability by increasing circulation to areas that are damaged or injured. Laser therapy can reduce your pain, swelling, and inflammation, and can even speed up your injury recovery time.

Corrective exercises are a staple component of the Team Elite experience. In addition to adjustments, cupping, and laser therapy, we’d add in corrective exercises to increase mobility and build strength. These corrective exercises would be loosening up the tight areas and strengthening the weak areas. 

When it comes to pinched nerve patients, we usually want to see them twice per week for the first two weeks, at that point, we’d expect to see significant improvement. We’d then taper off to one visit per week for a couple of weeks. Once the patient experienced a few weeks pain-free, we’d transition the patient to a maintenance phase and see them monthly or bi-monthly, depending on each patient's circumstance.  

How to Prevent Recurring Pinched Nerves

When it comes to preventative care for recurring pinched nerves, we have a two-pronged approach. The first aspect is maintaining a regular chiropractic care schedule. In this maintenance care phase, we ensure areas that typically get tight, stay loose. Through regular appointments in our office, we will provide adjustments, laser therapy, and cupping to help patients prevent recurring pinched nerves. The second aspect is continuing the at-home corrective exercises we have recommended to enhance mobility and strength. 

Our Team of highly skilled chiropractors is here to provide comprehensive patient support. If you are experiencing a pinched nerve, book your appointment with Team Elite today.