Nerve compression or pinching occurs in 85 out of 100,000 American adults. It affects various age groups – from older people ranging from 50s t0 70s to young adults. The condition results from a variety of things, including spine degeneration, arthritis, and spinal misalignment.

Do you suspect having a pinched nerve? How can you confirm it? What diagnostic options do doctors or therapists use to test for a pinched nerve? More importantly, is there a way to achieve long-term Oakland CA pinched nerve relief or resolution?

What is a pinched nerve?

Understanding what causes your pain is the first step to seeking Oakland CA pinched nerve relief. This allows you to identify the method that would work best for your situation.

Essentially, when you have a pinched nerve, this means that some of the nerve endings found along your bones, cartilage, joints, and ligaments suffer from compression or pinching. This is a common issue that results from different factors such as: 

• Poor posture 
• Previous spinal injury
• Herniated discs
• Osteoarthritis
• Thyroid disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Physical stress due to repetitive work
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Spinal misalignment

In most cases, a pinched nerve resolves on its own. However, if the condition stems from a spinal misalignment, the nerves will most likely stay compressed or pinched for a long time. This could cause chronic pain or even permanent damage to your nerves. 

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerves, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

How to get your pinched nerve diagnosed

So, how can you confirm if your achy back, stiff neck, leg, and arm pain stems from a pinched nerve? What are the options for diagnosis? It’s a good practice to pay close attention to the symptoms you currently have. Here’s a quick list of pinched nerve symptoms for your reference:

• Leg muscle weakness 
• Stabbing pain that radiates to your toes
• Sharp pain in one or both arms
• Pins and needle sensation 
• Pain when you move or turn your neck

If you have any of these pinched nerve symptoms, you can book a consultation with your primary healthcare provider, physical therapist, or a specific chiropractor. Physical examinations, imaging tests, and electromyography often comprise the diagnostic procedure for a pinched or compressed nerve.  Let’s take a closer look at each compressed nerve diagnostic test:

• Physical examination – For this test, your doctor, chiropractor, or therapist will need to check your reflexes to assess your ability to flex or move your body. It also comes in handy in identifying the critical areas of focus for the procedure needed.
• Imaging test – This could include x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. These imaging techniques allow your healthcare provider to examine the structure of your spine. 
• Electromyography – For worst-case scenarios or prolonged nerve compression and pinching, healthcare providers use EMG and nerve conduction studies. Both tests help in assessing the extent of nerve damage. 

Top options for relief when you have a pinched nerve

Getting diagnosed with a pinched nerve can be worrying for some people, especially if the pain causes massive disruption in one’s routine. Thankfully, you have plenty of options for relieving your pain and helping your pinched nerve to heal. Below are the most commonly sought after remedies for pinched or compressed nerves:

• Physical therapy -  With the help of a physical therapist, you can do exercises that stretch and improve the affected muscles' condition. Physical therapy can also help ease pressure on the compressed nerves.
• Pain relief medication – If you hope to experience short-term relief from your pain, taking a pain reliever may help. Some popularly used pain relief drugs include NSAIDs like naproxen sodium and ibuprofen.
• Surgical intervention – Patients with a pinched nerve that results from disc herniation or bulging can seek relief via surgical means. Basically, this procedure aims to relieve the pressure on the affected nerve. It’s an invasive procedure, so it mostly serves as the last resort for patients who have been suffering from pinched nerve pain for a while. 
• Specific chiropractic care – Another excellent remedy that patients choose to manage their pinched nerve pain is specific chiropractic care. This process involves initiating your body’s ability to heal independently by carefully and gradually adjusting spine misalignments. 

Oakland CA pinched nerve relief with specific chiropractic care

Indeed, living with a pinched nerve could severely impact your life. It could ruin schedules, affect your productivity levels, and cause you to feel depressed and anxious. On top of that, if the condition progresses, you might end up with damaged nerves or peripheral neuropathy, which could eventually lead to more severe complications.

As soon as you get your diagnosis, it’s essential to act fast. This will help you deal with your compressed nerve pain quickly and prevent long-term problems. If you have tried several remedies but found little to zero relief from your condition, then you might want to consider specific chiropractic. It’s a scientifically proven method used to deal with pinched or compressed nerves. Here’s a list of reasons why specific chiropractic adjustments work well for many patients:

• It’s precise – As your pinched nerve chiropractor, we will provide you with customized adjustments to ensure that your affected nerves get the help they need. We base our approach on imaging and other diagnostic tests.
• It’s gentle – The procedure aims to provide you with an effective way to cope with the pain, so rest assured that the adjustments to your spine feel extra gentle. 
• It provides results – A study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research proves that chiropractic adjustments effectively correct nerve pressure.  

Looking for a lasting and effective option for Oakland CA pinched nerve relief? Feel free to consult with us at Life Chiropractic to know more about how you can cope better! You can book a free pinched nerve chiropractic adjustment consultation or call our Oakland, CA office at 510-594-9994.

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