When nerves become ‘pinched’, damage, spasm and inflammation of the adjacent muscles causes the nerve to become compressed. This results in the areas or organs that that nerve controls not function at their optimum. If these nerves were from your low back (lumbar) they could be affecting your intestines, bladder or sexual organs. These problems usually arrive before pain ever becomes present. Most people wait for the pain to arrive before they ever address these problems.

The term “pinched nerve” is somewhat of a catch-all phrase that is commonly used to describe the pain associated with a variety of conditions from subluxations, to tunnel syndromes to the referred pain from trigger points.

Most of the time what is called a pinched nerve is an irritated or inflamed nerve. The nerve is not actually pinched. In most cases, nerves become irritated and inflamed when the bones, joints or muscles of the spine are not in their proper position or are not moving correctly. This condition is called a “subluxation,” the treatment of which is the specialty of a doctor of chiropractic.

There are instances when nerves do become ‘pinched,’ such as in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In each of these cases, injury, spasm or inflammation of the surrounding muscles and connective tissue causes the nerve to become compressed, resulting in pain. These conditions are referred to as “tunnel syndromes.” Treating tunnel syndromes is more complex than treating a simple spinal subluxation but they respond very well to chiropractic care; especially when combined with other physical therapies such as exercises, massage therapy, nutrition, and stretches.

Trigger points are very tight “knots” of muscle that form when muscles are either chronically overworked or injured and are often experienced as a pinching or burning pain. Trigger points commonly cause pain that refers to other parts of the body which can be called referred pain. The successful treatment of trigger points usually requires a combination of chiropractic care, massage, stretching and trigger point therapy.

It is very important that the cause of any form of pain be properly diagnosed. This is especially important when nerves are affected by severe or long-term irritation or compression of a nerve can lead to permanent nerve damage. If you have been told that you have a “pinched nerve” it is very important that you seek professional care from a doctor of chiropractic as soon as possible.

At Family Chiropractic Plus in St. Petersburg, we are committed to nothing less than the best for our valued patients. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to request your appointment today!