You might get that “pins and needles” feeling every now and then when you’ve sat or had your legs crossed for too long. But what about when that tingling sensation becomes painful and even leads to weakness or numbness? While sometimes a mild pinched nerve can go away on its own, there are other instances where a pinched nerve may not go away until the root cause is addressed. If you’ve tried rest, icing, and pain medications without experiencing much relief then you should visit your chiropractor in College Park to talk about more long-term solutions for a pinched nerve.
Pinched Nerve Symptoms
The most common symptom of a pinched nerve is what many people refer to as “pins and needles,” which is a tingling sensation caused by a nerve that is irritated or pressured and sending out mixed signals in the body. This feeling can sometimes be described as your arm or foot “falling asleep” after sleeping or sitting in the wrong position for too long. This type of temporary numbness occurs when there is a decrease of sensation in the area. You may also experience muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and even sharp, stabbing pains that radiate into other parts of the body. Some symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on the nerve’s location and what type of functioning is disrupted by the compression.
Pinched Nerve Causes
When surrounding muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues put too much pressure on a nerve it causes a pinched nerve. This can happen due to injury, illness, or even daily wear and tear on the body. Here are three examples of how a pinched nerve may be caused:
Injury
There are multiple types of car accident injuries that can cause a pinched nerve because of how this type of traumatic event can strain and stress muscles and tendons in the body. Whiplash is one example of how strained muscles can become inflamed or torn, putting undue pressure on nearby nerves. A blow to the lower back could cause swelling and bruising, which may also compress a nerve and lead to pain like sciatica.
Inflammation
Inflammation is commonly associated with pinched nerves because of how nerves are surrounded by soft tissues in the body. When a muscle or tendon swells it can narrow the available space for a nerve to properly function, thus causing a pinched nerve. Inflammation may occur during a one-time event like a car accident injury, or it can develop from overuse or due to an illness like arthritis.
Misalignments
When the vertebrae are properly aligned then the spinal column is able to safely and effectively house the nervous system, which allows nerves to communicate with the rest of the body. However, when one or more vertebrae become misaligned, whether due to a specific incident or wear and tear like poor posture, it can compress a nerve and its ability to properly function.
Pinched Nerve Treatments
Chiropractors offer a natural, non-invasive, and drug-free approach to treatments for a variety of illnesses and injuries. Here are some types of treatments your chiropractor in College Park may utilize to address the root cause of your pinched nerve.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments are a safe and gentle way to restore the spine and joints to their proper positioning in order to improve functioning throughout the body. For example, if a spinal misalignment is causing your pinched nerve then an adjustment can help restore your proper posture while also addressing the source of the pinched nerve.
Stretches and Exercises
Your chiropractor may also recommend stretches and exercises to help improve mobility and increase strength in your muscles and tendons. A pinched nerve left untreated may cause weakness or muscle spasms, so your chiropractor may recommend specific stretches to target the area and exercises that may restore healthy blood flow and functioning.
Healthy Habits
Chiropractors practice a holistic approach to your treatment and may also have recommendations for how to address inflammation through lifestyle and diet changes. Avoiding foods that cause inflammation and incorporating foods into your diet that reduce inflammation can help with illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis where chronic inflammation is common.
How do you pick a good chiropractor? At AICA Orthopedics, our team of chiropractors in College Park provides each person with comprehensive care and an individualized treatment plan to address the root cause of your pain and discomfort so you can experience long-term relief. Visit your AICA Orthopedics chiropractor in College Park or one of our other metro Atlanta locations for quality care and treatment for your pinched nerve.