When nerves become ‘pinched’, injury, spasm, and inflammation of the surrounding muscles causes the nerve to become compressed, resulting in pain.

The Experts at the Spine & Wellness Centre Have Been Specially Trained to Deal Directly with Nerve Disorders without Resorting to Surgical Procedures

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 actually an irritated, or inflamed nerve where the nerve itself 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 properly. This condition is called a “subluxation”, the treatment of which is the specialty of the wellness experts in our centre.

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 usually respond very well to spinal care; especially when combined with other physical therapies, such as exercises 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 will commonly cause pain that radiates to other parts of the body, which is also known as referred pain. The successful treatment of trigger points usually requires a combination of spinal care, stretching and a form of deep tissue massage called ‘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 as 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 one of our wellness experts as soon as possible.

At the Spine & Wellness Centre we have many experts that specialise in natural interventions for a variety of conditions. Our team is made up professionals that specialise in advanced techniques to rehabilitate spinal abnormalities/injuries, nerve damage, and offer first class education in nutrition and exercise science all of which can help with mid-back and neck problems. Our specialised team works together to reverse the root cause of your low back pain. Contact our clinic today, we can help!

Research:

A nonsurgical approach to the management of patients with lumbar radiculopathy secondary to herniated disk: a prospective observational cohort study with follow-up. Donald R. Murphy, DC, Eric L. Hurwitz, DC, PhD, and Ericka E. McGovern, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Nov-Dec;32(9):723-33.

Chiropractic treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: a review of the literature. Kent Stuber DC, MSc, Sandy Sajko DC, MSc, Kevyn Kristmanson DC. J Chiropr Med. 2009 Jun;8(2):77-85.

Chiropractic management of low back pain and low back-related leg complaints: a literature synthesis. Dana J. Lawrence, DC, MMedEd, William Meeker, DC, MPH, Richard Branson, DC, Gert Bronfort, DC, PhD, Jeff R. Cates, DC, MS, Mitch Haas, DC, MA,f Michael Haneline, DC, MPH, Marc Micozzi, MD, PhD, William Updyke, DC, Robert Mootz, DC, John J. Triano, DC, PhD, and Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Nov-Dec;31(9):659-74.

Chiropractic outcomes managing radiculopathy in a hospital setting: a retrospective review of 162 patients. Kim D. Christensen DC, DACRB, CCSP, CSCS, Kirsten Buswell DC. J Chiropr Med. 2008 Sep;7(3):115-25.

High-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation for symptomatic lumbar disk disease: a systematic review of the literature. Anthony J. Lisi, DC, Erica J. Holmes, DC, and Carlo Ammendolia, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005 Jul-Aug;28(6):429-42.

A nonsurgical approach to the management of patients with cervical radiculopathy: a prospective observational cohort study. Donald R. Murphy, DC, Eric L. Hurwitz, DC, PhD, Amy Gregory, DC, and Ronald Clary, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 May;29(4):279-87.

Biomechanical and neurophysiological responses to spinal manipulation in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Christopher J. Colloca, DC, Tony S. Keller, PhD, and Robert Gunzburg, MD, PhD. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jan;27(1):1-15.

Cervical radiculopathy treated with chiropractic flexion distraction manipulation: A retrospective study in a private practice setting. Jason S. Schliesser, DC, MPH, Ralph Kruse, DC, and L. Fleming Fallon, MD, DrPH. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Nov-Dec;26(9):E19.

The Effects of Mild Compression on Spinal Nerve Roots with Implications for Models of Vertebral Subluxation and the Clinical Effects of Chiropractic Adjustment. R. Scott Alderson, D.C.1, George J. Muhs, D.C., DABCN, CCN. J. Vertebral Subluxation Res., 4(2), 2001.

Case Studies:

Foraminal stenosis with radiculopathy from a cervical disc herniation in a 33-year-old man treated with flexion distraction decompression manipulation. Sharina Gudavalli, DC, and Ralph A. Kruse, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Jun;31(5):376-80.

Resolution of cervical radiculopathy in a woman after chiropractic manipulation. Wayne M. Whalen DC. J Chiropr Med. 2008 Mar;7(1):17-23.

Chiropractic treatment of a pregnant patient with lumbar radiculopathy. Ralph A. Kruse DC, DABCO, Sharina Gudavalli DC, Jerrilyn Cambron DC, MPH, PhD. J Chiropr Med. 2007 Dec;6(4):153-8.

An integrative treatment approach of a patient with cervical radiculitis: A case report. Leanne Apfelbeck, MS, DC. J Chiropr Med. 2005 Spring;4(2):97-102.

Chiropractic high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation in the treatment of a case of postsurgical chronic cauda equina syndrome. Anthony J. Lisi, DC, and Mukesh K. Bhardwaj, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Nov-Dec;27(9):574-8.

The amelioration of symptoms in cervical spinal stenosis with spinal cord deformation through specific chiropractic manipulation: a case report with long-term follow-up. George W. Kukurin, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004 Jun;27(5):e7.

A suspected case of ulnar tunnel syndrome relieved by chiropractic extremity adjustment methods. Brent S. Russell, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Nov-Dec;26(9):602-7.

Treatment of cervical radiculopathy with flexion distraction. Ralph A. Kruse, DC, Frank Imbarlina, DC, and Vincent F. De Bono, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001 Mar-Apr;24(3):206-9.

Use of cervical spine manipulation under anesthesia for management of cervical disk herniation, cervical radiculopathy, and associated cervicogenic headache syndrome. James Herzog, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Mar-Apr;22(3):166-70.

Chiropractic rehabilitation of a patient with S1 radiculopathy associated with a large lumbar disk herniation. Craig E. Morris, DC. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Jan;22(1):38-44.