We have nerves in every part of our body. They reach from the brain to the spinal cord and out to every part of the body. They send messages an electric currants to our organs and limbs and help us function.
When a nerve becomes pinched or compressed it can cause a misfire of the signal and cause pain, discomfort, or nonmovement. Chiropractic can help correct and reinstate the ability to communicate from the brain to the nerve.
What exactly is a Pinched Nerve?
Our nerves are our wires of communication. They start in our brain and it lets the body know how to act and react. A nerve that has too much pressure applied by cartilage, a bone, muscle or tendon can cause inflammation. That added pressure disrupts function. It will lead to weakness, pain, tingling, and injury.
Injury can take place in a single nerve or multiple nerves in a single location or more than one. No permanent damage is often seen if a nerve is compressed for a short time period, however, constant unrelieved pressure can result in permanent nerve damage.
The beauty of chiropractic care is that treatment doesn’t just focus on the symptoms. It seeks out the cause of the problem. By way of spinal adjustments, the vertebrae will be properly realigned.
Adjustment to proper position results in reduced pressure on the nerve, which will then improve pain and help the nerves to function again. Muscle relaxation, a better range of motion, and decreased constriction also take place.
Choosing Chiropractic to help alleviate your pain
Chiropractic addresses the root cause as well as helping to get rid of your symptoms.
Removing the pressure pressing on the affected nerve is the main goal of chiropractic. Most patients experience improved pain levels after just one session but it’s important to keep following up. To realign the spine and promote healing, additional treatment sessions are necessary.
What Causes A Pinched Nerve?
Injuries can happen while we sleep or during normal movements as well as exercise and accidents. They can also happen due to bad posture or obesity.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
Pain: sharp, aching or burning in the area of compression
Decreased muscle strength
Decreased sensation or numbness on the area supplied by the nerve
The sensation that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”
Pins and needles
Treatments
Conservative Approach
Exercise – Improved flexibility with stretching and strength training. Range of motion in the spine can be achieved through stretching. A stabilized spine is achieved by doing strengthening and resistance exercise.
Chiropractic/Spinal Manipulations – Used to realign the spine to its proper position.
Decompression/Traction – Creates a negative pressure on discs that may be causing nerve root impingement, opens up facet joints and their associated ligamentous capsules, and relieves compression/pressure from arthritis and bone spurs.
Intersegmental Traction – An induced passive motion is applied to the spine to stretch and increase mobility.
Medical Treatments
Medications – Commonly prescribed medications are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These medications reduce pain and swelling. Stomach bleeding, high blood pressure, and kidney or heart problems are some of the common side effects of these medications.
Steroid injections – Steroids are used to decrease swelling and will allow the injured nerve to heal. Localized pain, anxiety, and fever the night of the injection are some of the known side effects of this treatment.
Surgery – Only to be considered when all conservative management has failed. It is indicated for more severe cases. The type of surgery depends on the location of the injured nerve. Complications like infection, blood clot, and permanent nerve damage may be seen post surgery.
Fort Myers Pinched Nerve Pain Relief
A pinched nerve must be addressed immediately because it may lead to permanent damage. Medications only mask the issue and don’t target the problem.
If you feel like you have a pinched nerve, Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. Kaster can help.
Visit us! Schedule your chiropractic appointment today at our Fort Myers office.
Chiropractor | Nutritionist in Ft Myers, FL
Chiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Add to that, nutritional recommendations that can help your body heal itself. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?
Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.