Pinched Nerve

PINCHED NERVE TREATMENT, LANGHORNE PA

The primary control center of the human body is the nervous system, which flows through and can be manipulated by the 24 vertebrae of the spinal column. The vertebrae are divided into three classes – Cervical (C), Thoracic (T), and Lumbar (L). By understanding the role that each vertebrae within the spinal column plays, a doctor of Chiropractic, can affect the way the body responds and restore a balance that facilitates its own healing system.  Nerves extend from your brain and spinal cord, sending vital messages throughout your body. If you have a pinched nerve your body may sometimes send you warning signals such as pain, numbness, tinging and more. Do NOT ignore these warning signals.

Nerve impingement is similar to obstruction of flow within a water hose. The outer part of the garden hose is the fine outer membrane of the nerve fiber. The inside of the hose transports the nerve messages like water, from your central nervous system to their destination within your body. If your nerve is being ‘pinched’, just like a water hose, the nerve flow up and down the inside of the hose is reduced or blocked, meaning your nerves messages are being disrupted. Eventually, the nerve starts to lose its healthy ability to transmit the correct messages and the nerve fiber may eventually die. When enough fibers stop working, not only can you feel pain but other symptoms may also develop.

Damage from a pinched nerve may be minor or severe. It may cause temporary or long-lasting problems. The earlier you get a diagnosis and treatment for nerve compression, the more quickly you’ll find relief. In most cases, chiropractic care can help.  In some cases, you can’t reverse the damage from a pinched nerve if you wait too long. But treatment can usually still relieve pain and other symptoms. Chiropractic specifically looks for the source of the impingement and via means of restoring normal spinal alignment and various therapies, alleviates the compression on the nerve.

Causes of Pinched Nerves

A pinched nerve occurs when there is “compression” (pressure) on a nerve. The pressure may be the result of repetitive motions, trauma or it may happen from holding your body in one position for long periods, such as sleeping awkwardly or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Nerve compression often occurs when there are subluxations (misalignment’s in the spine), bulging discs or swelling around the joint.  Other sources of nerve entrapment may include ligament thickening, scar tissue/post surgical adhesions, arthritic bone spurs, stenosis (narrowing of spinal canals) and tendinopathy (tendon disorders).

Inflammation or pressure on a nerve root exiting the spine may cause neck pain, low back pain or radiculopathy. Radiculopathy means the nerve can refer pain and dysfunction to the arms and legs. This can lead to pain in the shoulders, elbows, hands, wrist and fingers if there is a pinched nerve in the neck. There can also be pain in the hips, groin, knees, ankles and toes if there is a pinched nerve in the low back. Too often during treatment for arm and leg pain the root source of the condition is overlooked, which is nerve impingement in the spine. Sometimes symptoms worsen when you try certain movements, such as turning your head, pivoting and bending at the waist or even straining. Since pain is not always involved, the only way to determine the presence of a pinched nerve is an examination. Our doctors specialize in detecting and correcting misalignment’s that cause pinched nerves.

Our Office

During your visit to our office, the doctor of chiropractic will perform a detailed consultation and examination to locate the source of your pain. This will involve a series of questions about your current condition, followed by physical and neurological exams. In the physical exam, your doctor will observe your posture, range of motion, and physical condition, noting movement that causes pain. The doctor will feel your spine, note its curvature and alignment, and feel for muscle spasm. A check of your extremities may also be in order. During the neurological exam, the doctor may test your reflexes, muscle strength and sensory testing. If warranted, the Doctor may take x-rays and/or order other tests. Once all of the information is collected to develop a specific diagnosis, a report of findings will be delivered to you and treatment will begin.

Treatment may include:

• Spinal and Extremity Adjustments
• Massage Therapy
• Traction Devices
• Shockwave Therapy
• Electric muscle stimulation
• Heat/Cold Therapy
• Nutritional Supplements

To determine the cause of your pain and fix it naturally, call us at 215-750-8006!