Pinched Nerve

Pinched Nerve Treatment Omaha

Your body is like a computer network, the nervous system is your body’s electrical wiring. Nerves send messages from the brain to other organs, allowing them to function properly and respond to certain stimuli. If something happens to any of these nerves, then the body can feel off. In this case, when a person suffers from a pinched nerve, the rest of their body is affected.

At Diamond Chiropractic in Omaha, Dr. Robert Nilles will diagnose the exact location and the cause(s) of the pinched nerve. He will recommend the most appropriate treatment to reduce the symptoms quickly, as well as preventing future reoccurrences. Relief from pinched nerve pain is the primary goal when treating this condition.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve?

Chiropractor in Omaha showing patient with back painPinched nerves are actually quite common. When there is a pinched nerve, it is likely due to poor posture, lifting heavy objects or reaching for something awkwardly. Although they are common, pinched nerves can appear suddenly, sometimes without warning.

Another cause for a pinched nerve is suffering from an acute injury. Acute injuries cause inflammation and swelling that can compress a nerve in the affected area. These injuries can even displace parts of the spinal column, compressing several nerves and/or the nerve roots. Even the spinal cord itself can be affected by an acute injury. Experiencing an acute injury includes being in an auto-accident, due to the amount of stress placed on your body. 

There are several reasons, aside from poor posture, lifting heavy items, and acute injuries, that can cause a pinched nerve. Such reasons include:

  • Bulging and/or herniated discs. When the disc protrudes into the spinal cord, it can place pressure on the spine and other surrounding nerves.
  • Bone spurs. These are small and sharp bone outgrowths that result in extra bone deposits to appear in the area.
  • Changes in the spine. Spinal stenosis is one example of when changes to the spine can place extra pressure on a nerve.
  • Inflammation of soft tissue. This is dependent on if there are any repetitive motion injuries and/or long-term postural problems the patient experiences.
  • Lack of movement, or repetitive motion. Staying in the same position for prolonged periods of time can place pressure on a nerve. The same applies for activities that will continue affecting the affected area, such as lifting objects or typing on a computer/ laptop.
  • Weight gain. Whether from pregnancy or obesity, this can aggravate spinal alignment or disc complications, causing or worsening any nerve compression.

Symptoms of Pinched Nerves

Pinched-Nerve-in-Shoulder-Blade-DiamondSymptoms of a pinched nerve can vary, depending on the location of that nerve. The most common, and often recognized, signs of a pinched nerve include pain, numbness, reduced muscle strength or control, and even tingling sensations (otherwise known as feeling “pins and needles”). 

Because the nervous system is a vast and complex network, it can take one injury to disrupt the rest of the body. The spinal cord is the largest nerve in the body, connected to other large nerves that branch off and spread out into many smaller networks. When the nerves are functioning properly, so is the body. So, when we place the body under stress, a network of nerves can be affected. If left untreated, this new dysfunction may influence other surrounding or connected nerves. In other words, if your hand feels it is on “pins and needles”, you could have a pinched nerve in your neck.

A pinched cervical nerve (neck) can produce pain and stress in an upper extremity, such as the arms, fingers, and shoulders. If you are experiencing stomach problems or ulcers, there may be a pinched thoracic nerve (middle back). Loss of bladder control, loss of bowel control, or symptoms similar to sciatica can result from a pinched lumbar or sacral nerve (low back and buttocks). If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call Diamond Chiropractic today to seek treatment.

Treatment for Pinched Nerves

upper-back-pain1-omahaAt Diamond Chiropractic in Omaha, our chiropractor will perform an examination, take x-rays, and evaluate your posture to determine the cause and location of your pinched nerve. After comparing the findings and confirming the diagnosis, our chiropractor will develop a treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms, heal the pinched nerve, and provide you with recommendations to lower your risk for possible re-occurrences.

Spinal Adjustments 

Our doctor will realign the vertebrae in the affected area to increase your range of motion and alleviate the pain on the spinal nerve. Symptoms resulting from the pain, from other nerves in the affected area, may begin to decrease as well. The doctor, using the zone technique, will usually check Zone 5.

Intersegmental Traction

Intersegmental traction involves the use of a special chiropractic table. This specific table includes rollers that will roll along the sides of the spinal column, allowing blood to flow through the tight muscles and ligaments. As this occurs, the muscles and ligaments loosen up and relax more; in addition, your spine will become more mobile. This type of treatment is effective with healing pinched nerves.

Acupuncture

Electro-therapy, or acupuncture, is effective with pinched nerves and with their symptoms. Patients will notice, after several treatments, the numbness they experienced from a pinched nerve begin to decrease, along with gaining more strength and control over the body. The intense pain patients had prior will start lowering as well, and they will start to see more mobility come back to their spine.

Lifestyle Advice

With any injury, whether to the back, neck, or extremity, the last thing you want to do is make the pain worse. The same idea applies to healing a pinched nerve. Our advice is designed to help you perform everyday tasks and responsibilities safely. We focus on healing and relief of the nerves, not aggravating it further.  

Contact Our Omaha Chiropractor for Pinched Nerve Relief

To get started with chiropractic care for your pinched nerve, choose our Omaha, NE chiropractor today. Diamond Chiropractic Omaha South is currently accepting new patients of all ages. Call our office today. When it comes to pinched nerve pain, get relief NOW & FAST.

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