Understanding and Treating Nerve Pain

Let’s talk nerves, shall we? But no, not the kind you feel when you're about to give a public speech (we’ve all been there). I’m talking about nerve pain—those sharp, shooting, tingling, aching, and sometimes just plain weird sensations that can leave you scratching your head (and possibly rubbing your neck or back).

Nerve symptoms are actually pretty common, and trust me, they can get a little strange. They can range from burning sensations to weakness, numbness, and tingling. Depending on where the symptoms pop up on your body, they can point to an issue with your spinal cord, a nerve root, or your peripheral nerves. While diagnosing nerve issues can sometimes be tricky, a thorough history and examination can help pinpoint which nerve is causing all the trouble—and get you started on the right treatment.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common nerve issues and how chiropractic care can help you find relief.

1. Sciatica: The Classic Nerve Pain

Ah, sciatica—the poster child for lower back and leg pain. Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, through your hips and glutes, and down each leg. Fun, right? Not so much.

Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body and often occurs when a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis compresses the sciatic nerve. If you’ve ever felt that sharp pain when you cough or sneeze, or noticed that sitting for long periods makes it worse, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Treatment Tip: Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce irritation in the spinal segments that may be putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, providing relief and restoring mobility.

2. Meralgia Paresthetica: A Fancy Name for Thigh Pain

Sounds like a sci-fi villain, right? But meralgia paresthetica is actually a condition that causes tingling, numbness, and burning pain in your outer thigh. It’s caused by compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your thigh.

This condition is often the result of tight clothing, obesity, pregnancy, or even local trauma. The symptoms are typically on one side of your body and can get worse after walking or standing for long periods.

Treatment Tip: Soft tissue therapy like Graston technique or Active Release Technique (ART) can help relieve tension in the muscles around the affected nerve. If you're dealing with tight clothing, maybe try some looser options for relief—your thighs will thank you.

3. Cauda Equina Syndrome: The Big Red Flag

Okay, let’s get serious for a moment. Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include severe low back pain, leg weakness, altered sensations in the lower body, saddle anesthesia (loss of sensation in areas where you’d sit on a saddle), and problems with bladder or bowel control.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, do not pass go, do not collect $200—head straight to the emergency room. This condition is usually caused by severely ruptured discs, spinal narrowing, or other serious spinal injuries.

Treatment Tip: If you’re concerned about potential cauda equina syndrome, don’t wait—get checked out by a doctor ASAP. Chiropractic care is not appropriate in emergency situations like this.

4. Cervical Radiculopathy: Sciatica for Your Upper Body

Cervical radiculopathy is like sciatica, but in your upper body! It’s caused by compression or irritation of the nerve roots in your neck, and it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness that travels down the arm and into the hand. This type of nerve damage often happens due to herniated discs, arthritis, or degenerative changes in the bones.

Treatment Tip: Chiropractic adjustments can help decompress the neck and restore function to the affected nerve roots. Stretching and strengthening exercises can also go a long way in improving overall neck mobility.

5. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: When Your Wrist Gets Cranky

We all know someone (or are someone) who has dealt with carpal tunnel syndrome—that annoying condition where the median nerve gets compressed in the narrow passageway of the wrist. It causes tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers, usually affecting the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

This condition is often the result of repetitive motions like typing, using a mouse, or even certain sports.

Treatment Tip: Chiropractic care, along with soft tissue therapy and acupuncture, can help release tension in the muscles around the wrist and relieve pressure on the median nerve. And hey, maybe take a break from typing every now and then—your wrists will thank you.

6. Ulnar Neuropathy: The Funny Bone Isn’t So Funny

Ever bump your elbow and hit your “funny bone”? Well, ulnar neuropathy is kind of the painful version of that. It happens when pressure is applied to the ulnar nerve, typically around the elbow. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and weakness in the ring and little fingers.

If you’re constantly leaning on your elbow or sleeping with your arm bent, you might be more prone to this condition.

Treatment Tip: Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve, and wearing a brace or splint while sleeping can prevent you from bending your elbow during the night.

Treatment Options for Nerve Pain

Whether you’re dealing with sciatica, carpal tunnel, or something else entirely, there are several treatments that can help alleviate your nerve pain:

Chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal alignment and reduce nerve irritation
Soft tissue therapy, such as Graston Technique and Active Release Technique (ART), to release tight muscles and alleviate pressure
Physical therapy for strength-building exercises, pain management, and range-of-motion improvement
Acupuncture to promote nerve healing and reduce pain by targeting specific acupoints

Let’s Get You Back on Track

Nerve issues can be uncomfortable, weird, and often downright frustrating, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to treat nerve pain and get you back to feeling great. Whether it's chiropractic care, massage therapy, or acupuncture, there’s no reason to suffer in silence.

If you’re dealing with nerve pain or any of the conditions listed above, make an appointment with us today! We’re here to help you feel your best and keep those nerves in check.

Getting On My Last Nerve