People may say they have a “pinched nerve” when suffering pain from an unidentified source. However, it may actually be caused by spinal subluxations, tunnel syndrome, the referred pain from trigger points, or something else.
So-called pinched nerves are usually just irritated or inflamed because the bones, joints, or muscles of the spine are not in their proper position or not moving correctly. This condition is the aforementioned “subluxation,” which the doctor of chiropractic specializes in correcting.
When nerves genuinely become “pinched,” include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. These involve an injury, spasm, or inflammation that causes the surrounding muscles and connective tissue to compress the nerve, resulting in pain. These conditions are called “tunnel syndromes.” Although the chiropractic treatment of these is more complex than dealing with a simple spinal subluxation, they usually respond very well, especially when combined with exercises, stretching, massage, etc.
Trigger points are tiny and tight “knots” in the muscle fibers that form when the muscles become chronically overworked or injured. Pain from trigger points is very often refers to other parts of the body that may seem wholly unrelated to the source. Trigger points can be successfully treated by combining chiropractic care, stretching, and a precise deep tissue massage known as “trigger point therapy.”
Pain of any sort must be properly diagnosed before it can be effectively treated, especially when the nerves are affected. Otherwise, the nerve may end up being permanently damaged. Therefore, being told by your doctor that you have a “pinched nerve” should not be viewed as a diagnosis, only as an indication that further investigation by a doctor of chiropractic is required as soon as possible.
⇐ Osteoporosis Sciatica ⇒