Do I have a Pinched Nerve

Low Back pain is the most frequently treated symptom in a chiropractic office. In fact, most patients consult a chiropractic Physician because they feel that they are experiencing a pinched nerve in their back or neck.

This is rarely the case. The occurrence of a pinched nerve where there is DIRECT pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord only occurs in only about 10% of spinal pain cases, research suggests. Symptoms of a pinched nerve typically are characterized by shooting pain, burning, feelings of "pins and needles", or numbness. In many instances, there isn't even any pain in the spine at all, yet it still may manifest in the hands, feet, shoulders, or other regions not in the direct proximity of the spine.

So if it isn't a pinched nerve, what is it...

True, there may not always be direct pressure causing a pinching, which is what we have pictured in our minds, but other factors that affect the nerve tissue such as rubbing, scraping, or pulling by loss of spinal curve also causes pain that feels like "pinching", and it can be severe. Inflammation, or swelling, in the area of the irritated nerve is also enough to cause a severe pain, yet once again, there is no direct pressure.

Self diagnosis for a pinched nerve or potentially pinched nerve is no safe game to play. In either instance of direct or indirect nerve pressure, the safe step to take is to seek the advice of a Chiropractor or another health care professional. Typical symptoms of nerve compression, when acted up soon enough, respond to conservative Chiropractic care within 2-4 weeks.

Chiropractic has gained great notoriety for relieving pain from irritated nerve roots and/or pinched nerves. Serious cases of low back or neck pain often require 2-3 weeks of consistent care to relieve the pain, followed by several months of supportive care to strengthen muscles, heal damaged ligaments and tendons, and provide specific home instructions/exercise.