suite 111, 11420 27th Street SE Calgary, Alberta T2Z-3R6
If you have a pinched sciatic nerve, our quick discussion below can help you figure out if upper cervical care is a good relief option for you. This way, you can start your consultation and receive upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.
If your pinched nerve problem has been bothering you for quite a while, getting surgery might have crossed your mind. But is it a practical approach? What’s the likely outcome after completing the procedure? More importantly, is it better than seeking natural remedies like chiropractic care for a pinched nerve in Calgary? Discover the best options for pinched nerve relief below.
Before we take a deeper dive into the discussion on relief options, let’s talk about what happens when you have a pinched nerve. This way, you have a bit more background on the condition and why it causes harrowing pain.
A pinched nerve refers to a compressed or irritated nerve ending. This usually results from a bone, muscle, ligament, or joint pressing on your nerve roots. Most of the time, this condition occurs due to the following reasons:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerve, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Many cases heal, even without medical intervention or therapies like chiropractic care for a pinched nerve in Calgary. However, sometimes a pinched nerve can cause a plethora of problems, ranging from muscle weakness, radiating pain, and numbness. Prolonged inflammation or irritation of the nerve can also lead to permanent damage. When this happens, the affected nerve will forever malfunction, which could lead to severe concerns such as:
If you suspect a pinched nerve due to an achy back, neck, or leg, your best option is to get yourself checked. Your physician, neurologist, or upper cervical doctor can help you figure out the extent of your pinched or compressed nerve problem.
You may need to undergo a series of tests like physical examination, X-ray, and electromyography. Such tests would help your doctor pinpoint the location of your nerve root compression. It can also allow your healthcare professional to detect potential nerve damage.
Your primary healthcare provider might also ask for additional exams like an MRI scan and high-frequency ultrasound for a more accurate diagnosis.
The sooner you can get yourself diagnosed, the faster you can determine what relief option would best suit your situation. Some of the standard procedures used to relieve pressure on a compressed or pinched nerve include the following:
Many patients completely shy away from getting surgery for pinched nerves because of its invasive nature. However, if your situation doesn’t improve after trying other standard procedures, considering surgery may not be a bad idea.
We suggest discussing with your physician to gauge the severity of the problem. Your doctor will also help you figure potential complications based on pre-existing health conditions. Also, please do note that each surgical procedure for pinched nerve relief comes with its own set of pros and cons. It would help to discuss these matters with your attending healthcare practitioner.
Here are a few surgical procedures that may help with your nerve compression or pinching concerns:
The recovery period for each surgical procedure varies. Some might take longer to heal completely, while others might only require up to 6 weeks of rest. Again, don’t hesitate to communicate your concerns about a procedure. This way, you can address them right away and find a better option.
We understand if a surgical procedure might sound scary or overwhelming for you. It entails a lot of consideration and decision-making. After all, it’s a sensitive process that may come with a bit of complication. If you’re not keen on surgically removing bone spurs, herniated discs, or other tissues that may be putting undue pressure on your nerve roots, you can choose another option. A fine example of a natural and non-invasive option you can try is chiropractic care for a pinched nerve in Calgary.
The process itself is pretty straightforward, making it a suitable choice for countless weary and frustrated patients with a pinched nerve. It works by correcting neck alignment so you can restore your spinal health and balance. In addition, it helps ensure that your spinal bones don’t press on any of your nerve roots.
It also eases pressure on the brainstem, a key component of your central nervous system. It serves as the main pathway of signals sent to and from your brain. Most importantly, the brainstem plays a critical role in perceiving and processing pain. This means that if you restore it to its former condition, you can cope better with the pain caused by a compressed nerve.
Ready to try chiropractic care for a pinched nerve in Calgary? Advanced Wellness Clinic offers a unique approach to healing for patients experiencing intense pain due to nerve irritation or compression. You may reach us at 403-475-0039 or through our web page.
To schedule a consultation in our Calgary office call 403-475-0039, or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
There is no doubt that a pinched nerve can be extremely painful and troublesome. A nerve can get pinched when too much pressure is placed upon it by surrounding tissues. Nerves can be pinched or irritated by nearby bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, disrupting the nerve’s ability to function. In general, nerves perform one of two functions: they carry signals about movement (motor nerve) or sensation (sensory nerves). Depending on the characteristics of the impacted nerve, a person may experience pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
If you feel numbness or tingling in certain parts of your body, the reason can be something you never thought about. It can be a warning sign of a pinched nerve and seeking what a patient may call “a pinched nerve chiropractor” would help.
Pinched nerve, also called a “compressed nerve,” happens when tissues (bones, tendons, ligaments) put pressure on the nerve, interfering with its proper function. It can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in parts of the body, depending on the pinched nerve's location.
The following conditions can result from pinched nerves:
Back or neck pain is the most common indicator of a pinched nerve. However, other warning signs of the condition include:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerve, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Our nerves carry out two critical functions: they transmit signals about sensation (sensory nerves) or movement (motor nerves). Therefore, getting the right care for the pinched nerve is essential for the body. The good news is that very few patients need surgery for pinched nerves, so you may not need one.
If you have been complaining of a pinched nerve, you can visit a pinched nerve chiropractor or implement these five effective methods to get relief:
1. Rest
When your pinched nerve affects your neck or back, it will help to rest and stay away from pain-inducing actions to recover faster. In addition, having a good night’s sleep is vital for the repair of nerves.
2. Stretching and massage
Tight muscles can contribute to a pinched nerve. Therefore, massage therapy, gentle stretching, and yoga can help ease the pressure. If the pinched nerve occurs in your neck, you can perform some simple neck rolls. Be sure to go easy in the beginning to prevent causing more irritation to the nerve.
3. Ice or heat packs
Using ice and heat by turns can help reduce the swelling and return the normal blood flow into the area of the pinched nerve. Both ice and heat can accelerate the healing and give relief. Apply the two alternately every 20 minutes. Don’t forget to wrap the ice or heat packs in a towel to avoid getting your skin hurt.
4. Change in posture
Are you using good posture when sitting or standing? If you have a pinched nerve, you may need to adjust your body posture to enjoy relief. Some of the frequent postural issues that contribute to pinched nerve include bending the neck forward for long periods while texting or using gadgets, crossing the leg over when sitting, and using incorrect lifting techniques.
5. Upper cervical chiropractic
It is a must to see a pinched nerve chiropractor. Since nerves and the spine are linked, it’s important to maintain your spinal alignment to avoid problems related to pinched nerves. Upper cervical chiropractic is a gentler form of chiropractic that determines the exact location and degree of upper cervical misalignment.
An upper cervical misalignment can lead to pinched nerves. For example, when the atlas (the uppermost bone in the neck) moves out of position, the entire spine may suffer as they try to compensate. This is what the body does to keep the head balanced. Therefore, the misalignment of the bone can have far-reaching effects on the body. It can pinch the nerves in the back, shoulders, face, arms, among other parts.
Case studies provide some pieces of evidence on the resolution of trigeminal neuralgia and other conditions caused by compressed nerve, all thanks to upper cervical chiropractic.
Upper cervical chiropractic can help you get to the bottom of your pinched nerve, whether it be in your low back, neck, or elsewhere in the spine. A misalignment often exists at the junction between the head and neck. From there, a series of compensations throughout the spine begins.
If the upper neck is misaligned, the body will go through great lengths to keep the head upright. This can lead to one shoulder being higher than the other side or one hip being elevated. Uneven strain and stress from side to side in your body can lead to the pinching of nerves.
If you display a pinched nerve’s symptoms, consulting with an upper cervical chiropractor can be the first step towards fixing your problem. Upper cervical chiropractic is gentle, effective, and long-lasting. As the upper spine restores its normal alignment, reduced swelling of the nerves follows soon after. Many patients experience improvements or even complete resolution of their pinched nerve symptoms.
Consult with us if you are interested in trying upper cervical care to help with your pinched nerve.
To schedule a consultation in our Calgary office call 403-475-0039, or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.