Symptoms and Relief of Pinched Nerves

What does it mean to "pinch a nerve" exactly? We've almost all heard of this condition before, but how does it happen—and what does it feel like? Does pinching a nerve cause permanent neurological damage? These and other questions are common ones we get here at the Advanced Wellness Centre in Richmond, VA. Our chiropractic team is honored to provide best-practice care for people suffering from pinched nerves in the spine and extremities, and are confident that we can help you or your loved one who may be suffering from this condition. 

How a Pinched Nerve Occurs—And How to Tell If You Have One

Your entire nervous system (brain, brainstem, and spinal cord) is comprised of nerves. The spinal nerves are the ones that exit your spinal column through small openings formed by your spinal bones (called intervertebral foramen). As they pass through these openings, the spinal nerves become like branches, innervating everything from muscles to joints to skin in your arms and legs.

A pinched nerve, also known as nerve entrapment or nerve compression, occurs when something literally pinches or compresses any part of a nerve, leading to tissue damage and inflammation. This may happen at the level of the nerve root (near the exit point at the spinal column) or even at the more distal parts of the nerves, once they've already reached a limb. Anything from a disc, misaligned joint, bone spur, bony tumor, ligament, tendon, or muscle can impinge on a nerve or nerve root. 

Symptoms of a pinched nerve will vary quite greatly, depending on which nerve is affected, where it's affected, and to what degree the impingement has occurred. That said, here are a few of the most common warning signs, which generally occur within the area or areas that the nerve innervates:

• Pain, often described as shooting, searing, stabbing, or radiating
• Weakness
• Numbness and tingling
• Diminished reflexes
• Swelling, stiffness, and even scarring of and around the damaged nerve (particularly if the nerve compression has gone on for a prolonged period of time)

Treatment Options for a Pinched Nerve

Chiropractic care can be extremely helpful for treating nerve compression syndromes. Our main goals of treatment are the following:

• Reduce pressure on the affected nerve. 
• Eliminate inflammation, pain, and swelling in the affected area. 
• Normalize and revitalize nervous system function and activation. 
• Prevent future or recurring tissue damage. 

We do this through a variety of natural and drug-free services, including chiropractic adjustments, manual spinal decompression, soft tissue massage and mobilization, corrective exercises and stretches, and postural re-training/workspace modification. Even our acupuncture and nutritional counseling services have been shown to help!

Do You Believe You're Struggling with Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve? Connect with Our Chiropractor in Richmond Today for Help & Healing!

Call (804) 673-9355 now to get in touch with a chiropractor in Richmond, VA, and experience a unique and effective natural healing journey in our 10,000 foot facility. We look forward to helping you and your loved ones achieve lasting wellness. Call to schedule your initial consultation now!