How Do I Know if I Have a Pinched Nerve? Answers from our Philadelphia Chiropractor
What is a pinched nerve and how do you know if you have one? Your nervous system is a complex network of bundled fibers and axons that help your body interpret sensation and send signals. A pinched nerve, medically known as radiculopathy, is a condition in which one or more nerves aren’t working properly, resulting in pain, numbness, weakness, and a lack of control over certain muscles. Radiculopathy typically occurs near the spinal cord, where the root of a nerve is located.
What are the causes of pinched nerves?
A pinched nerve can be a sign of a deeper underlying problem like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, ligamentous hypertrophy, facet joint degeneration or hypertrophy, spondylolisthesis, radiation, neoplastic disease, diabetes mellitus, spinal-compressing tumors, or meningeal disease. Certain kinds of injury can also cause this condition.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve?
You can look for a series of symptoms to accurately predict whether or not you have a pinched nerve. Numbness or a lack of sensation is often a telltale sign of radiculopathy. If one body part is experiencing numbness, then that part’s nerve is likely undergoing pressure by surrounding bone, tissue, muscles, or tendons. Other symptoms of this condition include tingling or needle-like sensation, sharp or radiating pain, muscle weakness, and hands or feet that suddenly fall asleep. If you frequently experience these symptoms on an ongoing basis, then it might be time to visit a local chiropractor.
What are the treatment options for a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve can be found through a series of diagnostic testing by MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), EMGs (electromyography), and NCSs (nerve conduction studies). Doctors will often check the spine for nerve damage. Once a diagnosis is determined, the next step is applying the right treatment plan for the patient. Our chiropractor will go over various treatment options that can include physical therapy, massage therapy, spinal manipulations, and regular chiropractic adjustments.
Get Treatment for Your Pinched Nerve from our Philadelphia Chiropractor
Oxford Rehabilitation Center is a chiropractic center that practices hands-on therapy. If you would like to request an appointment, call at 215-725-2000.