The mildest version of a pinched nerve many people are familiar with is when you’ve had your legs crossed for too long so your foot “falls asleep”. It can be an uncomfortable experience, with lots of tingling and even a numbing sensation. This type of pinched nerve is known for going away on its own, usually just after a few minutes of moving around. But what happens when a pinched nerve doesn’t go away on its own? Sometimes a pinched nerve won’t resolve quickly and that’s when you need to seek help from your chiropractor in Snellville. Chiropractors specialize in treating the nervous system and can address your pinched nerve and its uncomfortable effects on your body.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve refers to when surrounding tissues like muscles and tendons become inflamed and put too much pressure on one of your nerves. When a nerve is compressed it isn’t able to function normally and this can lead to pain, tingling, and even numbness or weakness. If you notice pain that won’t go away along with tingling and numbness, then you have a pinched nerve that hasn’t gone away. A mild version of a pinched nerve can come with tingling and numbness, but a more severe pinched nerve might also cause shooting pain, muscle spasms, weakness in your muscles, and even decreased sensations.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve?
Your chiropractor in Snellville will want to figure out what is causing your pinched nerve to help address the root cause so you can experience true, lasting relief. Here are some examples of what causes a pinched nerve:
Spinal Misalignment
A spinal misalignment refers to when one of the vertebrae in your spine is out of place. When your spine is out of its optimal alignment it can lead to all sorts of issues, such as a pinched nerve. A vertebra that is misaligned can disrupt the nervous system and put pressure on a nearby nerve root, causing a pinched nerve.
Poor Posture
If you hunch over a keyboard for hours at a time each day then you might have what is commonly known as tech neck. Poor posture like this can lead to an unnatural curve in your spine over time. When your spine is curved like this it can lead to misalignments that can cause a pinched nerve.
Herniated Disc
There are spongy-like discs that separate each of the vertebrae in your spine that help to absorb the shock of everyday wear and tear. When one of these discs slips out of its proper place it’s called a herniated disc. This disc out of place can compress a nearby nerve and lead to a pinched nerve.
Inflammation
Inflammation of soft tissues can cause a pinched nerve by putting unexpected pressure on a nerve. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome most commonly affects the hands and wrists from repetitive motions and overuse. This can cause muscles and tendons in the arms, wrists, and hands to become inflamed. Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation in and around the joints, and can also lead to a pinched nerve.
How to Treat a Pinched Nerve
While a mild case of a pinched nerve might go away on its own, in more moderate and severe cases you may experience symptoms that start to affect your daily life and cause you to seek out a chiropractor in Snellville. Chiropractors utilize a natural, drug-free approach to treating a pinched nerve and work to help remove the extra pressure on your nerves. Your chiropractor will want to identify the location and cause of your pinched nerve in order to fully relieve the pressure. Pinched nerve symptoms can cause shooting pain that may radiate into other areas, or cause discomfort and tingling in other parts of the body.
Chiropractors utilize a conservative approach to effectively treating a pinched nerve by helping to identify any misalignments or inflammation. Your chiropractor in Snellville can use gentle chiropractic adjustments to address misalignments in the spine and restore proper functioning for your nervous system. If inflammation is causing your pinched nerve then your chiropractor can use therapeutic massage and other natural techniques to reduce inflammation and remove pressure on your nerves.
If you are struggling with a pinched nerve, chiropractic care can be helpful in many ways, visit AICA Orthopedics in Snellville for a comprehensive approach to your treatment. You can call or schedule an appointment with an AICA chiropractor in Snellville and experience lasting relief from a pinched nerve.