You know that feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night and your arm has “fallen asleep” from sleeping in a funny position? You may notice a tingling feeling in your arm or it might even feel numb. This is an example of a mild case of a pinched nerve and one that might go away on its own once you reposition and take the pressure off of that side of your body. However, there are other cases where you might have a pinched nerve that doesn’t go away on its own and you find yourself looking to chiropractors in Marietta, GA for help. Chiropractors are known for their work on the spine, but they also take a holistic approach to each person and look at how something like a pinched nerve is affecting your whole body.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
If you have a milder type of pinched nerve you may notice an arm or a leg has “fallen asleep” and get that “pins and needles” tingling sensation as you reposition. These symptoms tend to go away rather quickly once you’ve readjusted and there is no more unnecessary pressure on the nerve. However, in more moderate to severe cases of a pinched nerve, these tingling and numb sensations can last for a lot longer, up to days and weeks at a time. In addition to these symptoms, you might also experience shooting pain, muscle spasms, and weakness in the area. The most serious cases of a pinched nerve can even affect your ability to use one of your arms or legs.
Causes of a Pinched Nerve
There are so many nerves inside your body, which means there are many ways a nerve could become pinched or compressed. Here are a few common examples of what could cause a pinched nerve in your body.
Poor Posture
When you sit hunched over a computer all day or stand for long periods of time it can lead to poor posture in your neck and back. Poor posture can cause a pinched nerve or make a pinched nerve worse because it puts unnecessary stress on your body. Muscles that strain to support poor posture can become inflamed, which may put too much pressure on a nearby nerve. Poor posture can also lead to spinal misalignments.
Spinal Misalignments
A misalignment in your spine refers to when the vertebrae that make up your spine are slightly out of place, potentially disrupting the nervous system. A vertebra could put pressure on a nearby nerve, causing a pinched nerve and sending symptoms like tingling and numbness into various parts of your body. A spinal misalignment in your neck can pinch a nerve that controls your arm, causing it to experience these uncomfortable symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is a type of injury that affects the hand and wrist when they are used in repetitive motions that start to cause pain over time. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is associated with a specific nerve that sends signals in your hand and wrist called the median nerve. This specific nerve may be compressed when repetitive motions cause stiffness or swelling in the area.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc can happen for a variety of reasons, from a sports to a car accident injury. A herniated disc refers to the spongy soft discs that separate each of your vertebrae and help absorb shock. If one of those discs slips or is forced out of place it can put pressure on nerves nearby, causing pain and discomfort. A herniated disc in the lower back can put pressure on a specific nerve called the sciatic nerve, and when compressed it can send pain and tingling symptoms down one side of your body through your hip and leg. This may get worse if the herniated disc goes untreated.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis then you understand how swelling and inflammation near your joints can cause all sorts of pain and discomfort. One of these can be a pinched nerve when swollen soft tissues compress a nearby nerve. Two of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are tingling and numbness around the joints, which can often be related to a pinched nerve.
Chiropractic Care for a Pinched Nerve
Chiropractors in Marietta, GA don’t just treat the symptoms of your pinched nerve; they actually get to the root of the issue so you can experience lasting relief. Your chiropractor will use gentle adjustments, massage, and other natural approaches to reduce swelling and inflammation or a herniated disc that could be putting undue pressure on nearby nerves. By identifying the root cause, you can experience more lasting relief from a pinched nerve. If you are worried about a possible pinched nerve that is making your daily routines uncomfortable, then the chiropractors in Marietta, GA at AICA Orthopedic can help!