Tompkins Chiropractic: The Best Chiropractor for Pinched Nerve in Bend, Oregon
If you've been told that you have nerve pain and numbness aka “pinched nerve” it is very important that you seek professional care from a doctor of chiropractic as soon as possible to avoid chronic pain.
What are "Pinched Nerves"?
When nerves become "pinched," injury, spasm, and inflammation of the surrounding muscles cause the nerve to become compressed and irritated, resulting in pinched nerve pain and numbness. Common pinched nerve symptoms include neck pain, sharp pain, or localized pain. Many pinched nerves also cause aching, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation, and muscle weakness.
The term “pinched nerve” is a somewhat general phrase that is commonly used to describe pain or numbness associated with a variety of conditions, from spinal joint restrictions to tunnel syndromes to the referred pain from trigger points. Muscle spasms can often be mistaken for pinched nerves, but the root cause of these conditions are different and they can be treated with different chiropractic treatments.
Most of the time, what is called a pinched nerve is actually an irritated, or inflamed nerve where the nerve itself is not actually pinched. In most cases, nerves become irritated and inflamed when the bones, joints, or muscles of the spine are not functioning properly, or are not moving properly. This condition is called a “spinal joint restriction”, the treatment of which is the specialty of a doctor of chiropractic.
There are instances when nerves do become ‘pinched', such as in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In each of these cases, injury, spasm, or inflammation of the surrounding muscles and connective tissue causes the nerve to become compressed, resulting in pain. These conditions are referred to as “tunnel syndromes.” Treating tunnel syndromes is more complex than treating a simple spinal subluxation, but they usually respond very well to chiropractic adjustments; especially when combined with other forms of physical therapy, such as exercises and stretches. If left untreated, these conditions can become even more painful; it's crucial to seek chiropractic care at the first sight of your symptoms.
Trigger points are very tight “knots” of muscle that form when muscles are either chronically overworked or injured, and are often experienced as a pinching or burning pain. Trigger points will commonly cause pain that radiates to other parts of the body, which is also known as referred pain which can be mistaken for nerve pain and numbness. The successful treatment of trigger points usually requires a combination of chiropractic care, stretching and a form of deep tissue massage called "trigger point therapy."
It is very important that the cause of any form of nerve pain and numbness be properly diagnosed. This is especially important when nerves are affected because severe or long-term irritation (also called compression) of a nerve can lead to permanent damage of the compressed nerve. It's possible to relieve pinched nerves through proper chiropractic treatment. If you have been told that you have a “pinched nerve” it is very important that you seek professional care from chiropractic doctors as soon as possible.
What can I do at home for a “Pinched Nerve”?
Stretch Daily
Stretching daily will help your body improve and maintain flexibility and function while reducing muscle weakness. By doing this daily you will help to relieve pain and prevent future aggravation of affected nerves.
Ice As Often As Possible
Icing will often help decrease the inflammation of the area and in turn will reduce pain and numbness and will also help the body continue to heal the surrounding tissues. This will help avoid permanent nerve damage and quicken the healing process.
Exercise Daily
Often, small lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference in avoiding serious problems later on. To treat a pinched nerve, it's important to exercise daily. This improves strength and helps the body maintain its flexibility, preventing pain and injury. It's important to start an exercise routine after the acute pain from the nerve irritation has subsided. An exercise routine of as little as 10 minutes a day at home can make all the difference in the world.
