You Have A Pinched Nerve Heres The Truth About Chiropractors & Pinched Nerves
Nerves are like little highways in your body that carry critical information from the brain to the rest of the body.
Although it sounds like a small issue, anyone that has experienced it knows that when a nerve gets pinched, it can be extremely painful.
While people see chiropractors for a variety of reasons like headache relief, back and shoulder muscle pain or even to help fix numbness in outer extremities, going to one to help relieve nerve pain can be very beneficial as well.
In fact, some of the aforementioned conditions may even stem from a pinched nerve.
How Does A Chiropractor Treat Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common medical ailments amongst people living in the UK. According to the NIH, about one-third of the UK adult population is affected by lower back pain with 20% having pain so bad that they need to seek help from their GP.
So, its no surprise that many of the patients visiting Homewood chiropractic clinic in Fareham for the first time will mention that they have experienced lower back pain. We help them by developing a treatment plan that includes a combination of chiropractic care, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
In this post, our Fareham chiropractor is going to share some more information about lower back pain. This will include the most common causes of lower back pain and how a chiropractor treats lower back pain.
Do you often experience lower back pain? Book a visit with one of our experienced team of chiropractors at Homewood Chiropractic Clinic by calling 01329 280 283. Our team has helped countless patients deal with lower back pain. You can also continue reading to learn more about back pain and chiropractic care.
How Do Chiropractors Treat Low Back Pain
Initially we will take a complete history of your symptoms and complete a thorough examination to help us try to find the cause of your problems accurately.
We will then explain clearly to you what we have found is wrong and if suitable recommend an individual treatment program designed to help remove your symptoms and get your going again.
As chiropractors we aim to improve your spinal function, advise you on the best regular exercise regime for your spinal condition and how what life style changes you need to make to get the best results for you. Contact our office to see if we can help your low back pain.
References and Sources
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2018. Back problems snapshot. Available at: .
2. Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations W. Brinjikji, et al
3. Spine. APRIL 21, 2015Disc bulging most prevalent abnormal finding on MRI in asymptomatic patients Nakashima H, et al.
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What Happens In A Typical Chiropractic Treatment
The first meeting with a chiropractor is an evaluation to assess the functionality of the spine, including alignment, range of motion, and strength and flexibility of supporting muscles and ligaments.
We also discuss possible root causes of a patients back pain, which may include postural habits or activities of daily living that could be straining the back and causing pain, explains Matthew H. Kowalski, DC, a licensed chiropractor at The Osher Clinical Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital, and President of the New England Spine Institute.
Common Back Issues Chiropractic Treatment Can Fix
- 04 Oct, 2021
Back pain can often come as a result of overworking and years of strain as you go about your daily routine. Whether youre sitting at a work desk daily, exercising, or outdoor gardeningyour daily tasks take a toll on your physical well-being.
At some point, your back may go out on you at the worst time, leaving you bedridden and full of regret for not getting your back checked sooner. Luckily, chiropractors do just about any joint and bone adjustment here are some common back issues chiropractic treatment can fix.
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Curious To Know If Chiropractic Is For You
Millions of people around the world have found relief from pain and mobility issues by getting a lower back adjustment from a chiropractor. Here in the U.S., most insurance policies cover this treatment, so theres no reason not to give it a try. And who knows you might soon find yourself starring in one of those YouTube videos!
Ready to give chiropractic a try? Contact our office to schedule an appointment!
Types Of Lower Back Strain
Muscle strain and lumbar strain are the two most common types of lower back strain. Muscle strain is commonly known as a pulled muscle. When the lower back muscles are torn or stretched too far it causes severe lower back pain. As with a muscle strain, if the ligaments, which are very tough and fibrous and connect the bones together, are torn or stretched too far, they are referred to as lumbar strain.
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What Do Chiropractors Do For Back Pain
If youre wondering whether or not a chiropractor is worth it, consider what chiropractors can and cannot do for back pain. A chiropractor can treat certain conditions causing back pain. In most cases, a chiropractor will address acute pain and stiffness.
Acute pain has an exact cause and is self-limited. For instance, if you tweak a nerve in your back while moving furniture, a chiropractor may be able to help relieve your pain. Many patients seek chiropractic adjustment after a sports injury, car accident or other instance of acute pain.
What Is Chiropractic All About
Did you know that this form of treatment dates back to the 1890s? Its true! Perhaps because of that longevity, chiropractic is widely considered a safe, effective alternative or complement to traditional medical care for certain issues, that is.
Chiropractic is based on the notion that physical problems can be traced back to a musculoskeletal system that is out of whack. Those who practice it are particularly focused on the spine. Given the important role that the spine plays in supporting the body and allowing it to move properly, that makes sense.
Chiropractors use what is called manipulation, or an adjustment. This guides the spine and other areas of the body back into alignment. Manipulation is gentle, although it may sound alarming to the uninitiated: the noise of a patients back and other joints cracking can be a bit concerning. However, the vast majority of chiropractic advocates say that it doesnt hurt. On the contrary, most patients say that an adjustment feels fantastic in the moment. It can also help to relieve both acute and chronic pain.
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Pinched Nerve In Shoulder
A pinched nerve in the shoulder can cause pain down the whole nerve, even all the way to your fingers. This type of pinch resonates somewhere in the first seven vertebrae or in the cervical spine region.
A person can experience just general pain or even feel numbness in the shoulder blade muscles spreading down to their hands.
Muscle weakness in the arm, hand or shoulder are signs that there is a shoulder nerve pinched.
Three main causes of a pinched nerve in the shoulder are:
How Often Should You Visit A Chiropractor
Chiropractic care may not be completed in only one visit. It is a progression, so you may have to visit the chiropractor once or twice a week at first. When your condition is acute, the visit could be as frequent as every day. As your condition improves, the chiropractor will give you things to do on your own at home, such as using an ice pack, exercises to strengthen the muscles so you will only have to see him once in a while. Depending on your condition, you may have to come back after some time or never again, unless you have a new problem.
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All Hands On Deck: Motion Is Lotion When It Comes To Chiropractic Therapy
People often tell me they dont know how they hurt theirback, says Dr. Bang. Thats usually a blaring sign that muscle weakness ortightness is to blame, which is typical given how much sitting we all do.
Muscles are made up of thousands of small fibers, like arope created from several small strands of string. With both overuse andunderuse, the muscle fibers contract and also influence nearby fibers tocontract.
What happens next? A painful knot of muscles, known as atrigger point, forms.
Trigger points can pinch the sciatic nerve, causing anintense, radiating pain down the back and legs, says Dr. Bang. But triggerpoints respond well to deep pressure that squeezes the muscle fibers and causesthem to relax.
He adds, We also know manual therapy like massage canreduce the levels of inflammation-causing compounds near the trigger point.
Can Chiropractic Care Catch On
Back or neck pain is common among adults in the United States not just those in the military and both patients and physicians are looking for better ways to treat pain.
Recent Gallup studies found that about 1 in 4 adults saw a medical professional for neck or back pain in the last year and 65 percent sought care at some point during their lives.
The American College of Physicians, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Joint Commission all recommend nondrug therapies for back pain as an initial treatment approach, Goertz said.
Yet, I am hearing that the use of these therapies, including chiropractic care, has not increased since these guidelines were issued, she added.
But research shows that patients are becoming wary of pills as a single solution. At least 78 percent of American adults would like to try ways other than medication to relieve their pain, according to Gallup.
A 2016 study Goertz contributed to showed that about 14 percent of people have seen a chiropractor in the last year. Of those with significant neck or back pain, 33 percent said chiropractic care was safest compared with 12 percent who say pain medications are safer , according to Gallup data. Also, 29 percent say chiropractic care is more effective than pain medication for those who have neck or back pain, while 22 percent preferred medication over chiropractic care.
So why are some Americans still popping pills when a chiropractic adjustment may be just as, or even more, effective?
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What Is Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other alternative treatments. The theory is that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Manipulation is used to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury caused by a traumatic event, such as falling, or repetitive stress, such as sitting without proper back support.
Chiropractic treatment is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It is sometimes used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment.
The initials “DC” identify a chiropractor, whose education typically includes an undergraduate degree plus four years of chiropractic college.
What Are The Treatments For Lower Back Pain
Treatment for lower back pain is highly individualized and depends on a range of factors for each patient. We’ll highlight a couple of the more common ones here. Spinal mobilization may be used as a treatment for some patients experiencing lumbar pain. This is a more gentle chiropractic technique involving lower velocity stretching of the muscles and joints. Most treatments typically involve some form of spinal manipulation or manual manipulation, otherwise known as a “chiropractic adjustment.” A correctly aligned spine has been shown to improve overall bodily function, allowing joints, vertebrae, muscles, and organs to function as they should. Spinal alignment is achieved through manual manipulation, wherein the chiropractor will gently stretch, thrust, and apply pressure as they see fit until the body is properly aligned.
Do you suffer from lower back pain? Contact Dr. Lanoue’s chiropractic clinic in Mississauga to schedule an appointment today.
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Other Treatment Hasnt Worked
You may need to visit a chiropractor if no other treatment has worked for your lower back pain. Whether it be massage therapy, heat therapy, or any other type of treatment, you have found no relief. A chiropractor will develop a specific treatment plan on a case-by-case basis and include a comprehensive and holistic approach to treating your back pain.
Pain is usually an indication of inflammation thats going on inside the body which can be caused by joint, muscular, nerve dysfunction or misalignment. Lower back pain, specifically, can be caused by a variety of factors including improper lifting, poor posture, and poor fitness levels. While lower back pain rarely indicates something is serious, people should seek out treatment well before the lower back pain gets worse.
What Are The Benefits And Risks Of Chiropractic Care
Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from moving furniture or getting tackled. Acute back pain, which is more common than chronic pain, lasts no more than six weeks and typically gets better on its own.
Research has also shown chiropractic care to be helpful in treating neck pain and headaches. In addition, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia may respond to the moderate pressure used both by chiropractors and practitioners of deep tissue massage.
Studies have not confirmed the effectiveness of prolotherapy or sclerotherapy for pain relief, used by some chiropractors, osteopaths, and medical doctors, to treat chronic back pain, the type of pain that may come on suddenly or gradually and lasts more than three months. The therapy involves injections such as sugar water or anesthetic in hopes of strengthening the ligaments in the back.
People who have osteoporosis, spinal cord compression, or inflammatory arthritis, or who take blood-thinning medications should not undergo spinal manipulation. In addition, patients with a history of cancer should first obtain clearance from their medical doctor before undergoing spinal manipulation.
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Does Chiropractic Care Help With Lower Back Pain
A new study says chiropractic care and traditional treatment can ease back pain.
About 1 in 5 Americans endure lower back pain, and adding chiropractic treatments to one’s usual medical care may help relieve it, at least a little, according to a study done with military personnel.
Musculoskeletal disorders are the second-leading cause of disability worldwide and back pain, specifically, is the most common reason U.S. soldiers require medical attention for an issue that interrupts combat readiness.
Common treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, including ibuprofen and, in extreme cases, opioids or injections. Since almost all lower back pain improves within a few weeks, doctors are more likely now to recommend gentle exercise and patience.
Researchers recently studied active-duty personnel aged 18 to 50 who suffered from back pain, experimenting to see whether chiropractic spinal manipulation, when added to regular care, could be effective.
Those in the study were divided into two groups. One group was people who got regular care, including medication and physical therapy, and the other group added chiropractic care to those treatments.
Of the 750 individuals studied, about three-quarters of whom were male, those who also received chiropractic care have less lower back pain and better overall satisfaction after six weeks of trials.
Treating Pain And Stiffness With An Adjustment
There are many types of pain that a patient can experience in their lumbar region, or lower back. Sharp or stabbing pains, a persistent dull ache, a burning sensation, and spasms are all relatively common. It depends on whether the injury is to the muscles, nerves, joints, tendons, or other non-muscular soft tissue.
Another frequent condition associated with lumbar injury or strain is reduced mobility and stiffness. It may hurt to move certain body parts in certain ways, or you may be unable to bend over, reach for an object, or roll over in bed.
Chiropractic care does double duty when it comes to acute pain. Not only does it relieve the symptoms of pain and stiffness, but it also works to correct the underlying problem. In other words, its a win-win.
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Massage Therapy Heat Therapy And Other Treatments Have Failed To Provide Adequate Relief
Many patients enter a chiropractors office only after trying various forms of treatment without success. They may experience some pain relief as a result of other treatments, but theyre still in enough pain that their daily lives are impacted.
This doesnt mean that they give up all other forms of treatment in order to work with a chiropractor.
Massage therapy, dry needling, and other treatment options combine well with chiropractic treatment. A well-rounded treatment plan combines practices in order to deliver more satisfying results for every patient. Anyone struggling with lower back pain will benefit from visiting a chiropractor at least once. That initial consultation is often enough to determine whether this form of treatment is helpful in relieving pain on a case-by-case basis.
A well-rounded treatment plan combines practices in order to deliver more satisfying results for every patient. Anyone struggling with lower back pain will benefit from visiting a chiropractor at least once. That initial consultation is often enough to determine whether this form of treatment is helpful in relieving you pain.
Call us today to set up a free consultation.