Radiculopathy or pinched nerve is not an uncommon health concern. It can stem from various spinal structure problems like disc herniation and scoliosis. Unfortunately, when you have a pinched nerve, you experience a numbing or tingling sensation in the affected areas. It can result in limited movements or severe discomfort. It can also impact various aspects of your life like your job, household chores, and even relationships.
While a pinched nerve can get resolved independently, some cases may require specific procedures like nerve decompression and upper cervical care. Otherwise, the compression or pinching problem will likely worsen and increase your risk for permanent nerve damage.
Let’s explore a bit more about radiculopathy and how going to an Alabang chiropractor for pinched nerves can help you.
What is Nerve Pinching?
Getting diagnosed with radiculopathy or a pinched nerve by your doctor might leave you scratching your head. What does it mean when you suffer from nerve pinching? What caused the problem in the first place? More importantly, how do you get rid of it? To understand how to deal with your condition, you’ll need to refresh your memory on neck and spine anatomy.
The spine and neck anatomy
Essentially, the spine comprises bones called vertebrae. They sit on top of the other with cushion-like discs in between to lessen friction and risk for injuries. Supposedly, these bones protect the spinal cord and its nerve roots.
However, during an injury or due to the degradation of the protective discs, the vertebral bones shift. This often leads to nerve pinching or compression. Studies note other potential causes of nerve compression or pinching, including:
- Poor posture, especially while sitting
- Repetitive motion like staying in the same position for extended hours
- Spine structure degeneration (arthritis or spondylosis)
- Bone spurs
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the vertebral canal)
Nerve Pinching Symptoms
Until the misaligned bones get restored to their neutral positions, the nerve pinching problem persists, causing symptoms such as:
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness or sudden loss of sensation on the affected body part
- Paresthesia (pins and needles)
- Burning pain that radiates towards other parts of the body
Unfortunately, these symptoms often get worse when you sleep. It can potentially cause sleep deprivation, leading to fatigue, mood swings, and increased pain and pressure sensitivity.
Moreover, the painful sensations can occur in varying parts of the body, depending on the type of radiculopathy you have.
Types of Radiculopathy
Typically, when you go to a therapist or an Alabang chiropractor for pinched nerves, it pays to know what type of pinched nerve problem you have. Doctors and researchers classify radiculopathy into three types, namely:
- Lumbar radiculopathy – This happens when the nerves involved are those found along your lumbar or back region. It could potentially lead to severe problems like sciatica or hip pain.
- Thoracic radiculopathy – If you have this type of pinched nerve issue, it means that the nerve roots involved occur along the upper back region. It’s relatively uncommon compared to the cervical and lumbar type.
- Cervical radiculopathy – When nerve pinching occurs along the neck, you have cervical radiculopathy. You can quickly tell that you have it if you experience radiating or searing pain on your neck, shoulders, arms, and fingers.
Is There A Way To Relieve A Pinched Nerve?
The pain from a pinched or compressed nerve can sometimes feel frustrating and discouraging, mainly if the flareups frequently occur. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean that you have to succumb to this condition. If you have a pinched nerve along your lower back, upper back, or neck, you can try certain remedies to care for your affected nerves. Some examples include:
Fix your posture
If you’re among the thousands of Americans forced to work from home during these times, we suggest working on your sitting posture. Avoid looking down on your phone screen and switch to ergonomic home office equipment like chairs and tables to avoid triggering or exacerbating your symptoms.
Pain relievers
OTC or over-the-counter pain medications work fine in reducing the impact of a pinched nerve. Just remember to drink according to instructions to get the maximum benefits from your chosen pain reliever.
Applying Hot or Cold Compress
Heat or cold therapy often comes in handy when you suffer from injuries such as a pinched nerve. Use cold or ice packs to curb the inflammation and heat once your body has started showing signs of recovery.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic
As we’ve mentioned earlier, most nerve pinching or radiculopathy cases stem from a vertebral bone misalignment. If you were in an accident previously or suspect even the tiniest fraction of vertebral misalignment, you can try upper cervical care.
This approach focuses explicitly on the uppermost neck bones, but it can provide relief to the other types of pinched nerve cases as well.
Work With An Alabang Chiropractor For Pinched Nerves
You can try upper cervical care if you have been experiencing pain or discomfort due to nerve compression or pinching. It’s a popular procedure that many folks who experience neck pain, back pain, and even sciatica due to nerve pinching.
You can expect to have your neck bone alignment inspected through physical tests and advanced imaging techniques when you go to an Alabang chiropractor for pinched nerves. Using either the NUCCA or Toggle Recoil, your upper cervical care chiropractor can restore the alignment and help your body ease into recovery.
Are you ready to see an Alabang chiropractor for pinched nerves? Call us at N8 Upper Cervical Chiropractic at (02) 835-620988. If you prefer writing your concerns, you can drop us a line via our web form.
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