25 Aug 2023
Can a Chiropractor Fix a Pinched Nerve?
By Charles Herbert

If you’ve been wrestling with the question, “Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve?” we’re here to set your mind at ease with a resounding, “Yes, we can!”.
We know how disruptive a pinched nerve or trapped nerve can be, affecting your daily routines and even robbing you of a good night’s sleep. Such discomfort can leave you feeling frustrated, wondering when you’ll ever feel ‘normal’ again. It’s this understanding of your experience that drives us, motivating us to provide the best care possible.
First of all, what is a pinched nerve?
Imagine your body as a bustling city, with nerves acting like the vital roads connecting all parts. Just like traffic jams in a city, sometimes, things can get a little ‘jammed’ or ‘pinched’ in your body too. When too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues — such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons — it can disrupt the nerve’s function. This disruption leads to that uncomfortable feeling we refer to as a ‘pinched’ or ‘trapped’ nerve. So where are the usual trouble spots for these pinched nerves?
Well here are a few…
The Neck:
Pinched nerves in the neck can be caused by sudden injury, poor posture, or even just sleeping in an awkward position. This can lead to pain that radiates down your arm and possibly into your hands, often with some tingling or numbness to keep it company.
Your Lower Back: If you’re going to encounter a pinched nerve anywhere, it’s probably going to be in your lower back (known as lumbar radiculopathy or more commonly, sciatica). This is often due to wear-and-tear or a herniated disc. You might feel pain radiating down your leg, sometimes reaching as far as your calf or foot.
Your Wrist: You’ve probably heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, right? Well, that’s a pinched median nerve at the wrist, leading to pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and arm.
Your Elbow: You’re not safe in the arm department either. Cubital tunnel syndrome or radial tunnel syndrome can cause a lot of discomfort, with symptoms spreading along your forearm and into your hand.
While these are some of the most common places you might feel a pinched nerve, they can truly happen anywhere in your body. If you notice persistent pain, numbness, or tingling in any part of your body, don’t brush it off. It’s your body’s way of saying,“Has My Body Always Felt Like This?”,”Hey, something’s not quite right here!” And remember, no matter where you feel it, our friendly team is always here to help get you back on track.
What are some pinched nerve symptoms?
Pain:
The most common symptom of a pinched nerve is a sharp, aching, or burning pain, which may radiate outwards. Depending on where the pinched nerve is, this pain might be felt in the neck, back, or could travel down an arm or leg.
Numbness or Decreased Sensation:
Some people with a pinched nerve may feel a decrease in sensation or even numbness in the area supplied by the nerve. This can often be described as a “pins and needles” feeling, similar to when a part of your body ‘falls asleep’.
Tingling or Paresthesia:
This is the sensation most people describe as ‘pins and needles’. It’s an annoying sensation that can occur anywhere in your body, but often it’s felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or legs.
Muscle Weakness:
Muscles that are served by the affected nerve may weaken over time, resulting in difficulty carrying out normal tasks such as lifting objects or even walking.
Frequent Feeling of Needing to Stretch:
A lesser-known symptom is the frequent feeling that you need to stretch or shake out the affected area, particularly if the pinched nerve is in your hand or foot.
Radiating Pain:
Sometimes, a pinched nerve in the spine can cause pain to radiate to other parts of the body. For instance, if the nerve is pinched in the lower spine, pain can radiate down the leg— this is also known as sciatica.
How we will we help?
In our first meeting, we get to know you and your history
It’s important to us to understand your unique story because, just like you, every pinched nerve has its own story too. The more we know, the better we can tailor our approach to your needs. It’s not about rushing to a quick fix. We’re about thoroughness and precision – we’re about you.
Once we’ve got your story, we move onto the full examination.
Now, this isn’t just a casual once-over. Our experienced team leaves no stone unturned. We investigate your spine, joints, nerves, and muscles from top to bottom. And if we need to peek under the hood, we have state-of-the-art digital X-ray equipment at our disposal to aid us in getting to the root cause of your symptoms.
At our clinics, we believe that knowledge is power, so we make sure you understand what’s going on every step of the way. We cut through medical jargon, explaining everything in a way that makes sense to you. After all, this is your journey to wellness. You should feel confident and informed, knowing you’re actively participating in your recovery.
Next comes the exciting part – your personalised treatment plan!
We’re thrilled to say that we are masters in our craft. Our chiropractors utilise gentle but effective adjustments designed specifically to help fix your pinched nerve. Our aim is to move you away from pain and restricted movements and guide you back to health and mobility. However, we don’t stop there. As we see improvements, we continually reassess your progress and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. Think of us as your health partners. Our commitment extends beyond your initial recovery. We’re invested in your ongoing well-being, ensuring you remain in top form once we’ve got you there.
Our team of chiropractors are trained in diagnosing and treating conditions like pinched nerves.
We use various techniques, including spinal adjustments, to help relieve the pressure on the nerve and alleviate pain and discomfort. Additionally, we can recommend exercises and stretches that can assist in strengthening the affected area and preventing future nerve impingements.
Rest assured, we are committed to providing you with the highest level of care and support throughout your healing journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and start your path to relief and recovery today!