Pinched Nerve

What are the signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when a peripheral nerve becomes pinched or compressed between two harder tissues. When the nerve is pinched, it cannot move or function normally. The blood flow is diminished because the blood vessels that support the nerve are also impinged. With the circulation to the area dramatically decreased, the nerve may begin to suffer from oxygen and nutrient deprivation. Numbness, tingling, mild pain, inflammation, and the inability to move the area without pain and discomfort are all signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve.

How does a chiropractic adjustment help relieve the pain of a pinched nerve?

When a nerve is pinched or compromised, it cannot move freely. Performing a chiropractic adjustment can relieve pressure that has been placed on the nerve and in turn relieve the pain and inflammation caused by this condition. It can also reduce inflammation and restore blood flow to the area. A nerve may be pinched or compressed for several days before the signs and symptoms become bad enough for the person to seek treatment. This may result in the need for several chiropractic adjustments to be performed before satisfactory results are seen.

Does a pinched nerve require surgery to be successfully treated?

A pinched nerve will require surgery if the damage is so severe that it is causing debilitating pain that does not respond to any other type of treatment. Chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy may be able to offer satisfactory results if they are performed frequently enough and other measures are taken to strengthen the area and improve blood flow. Increasing blood flow to an injured nerve will help to promote healing. The length of time the nerve has been pinched will determine the amount of time and number of treatments needed to be fully successful. Once the chiropractor begins to perform the adjustments and has seen how the body reacts to them, he will be able to make a more refined diagnosis.