Treatment for Pinched Nerve at Kosak Chiropractic and Acupuncture of Omaha

Here at Kosak Chiropractic and Acupuncture of Omaha, we can administer non-surgical chiropractic treatment to decompress compressed nerves, or pinched nerves, giving you back your normal function and lifestyle.

The human body is capable of a remarkable number of functions -- as well as an equally remarkable number of malfunctions. Even a small imbalance between the delicate, tightly-packed components of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems can lead to odd, uncomfortable, sometimes disabling neurological reactions. If part of your body just doesn't feel or work like it usually does, the underlying problem may be a compressed or "pinched" nerve.

Pinched nerves can cause problems, not just at the site of the impingement, but anywhere along the nerve pathways connected to the impingement site. But the same natural forces that produced that compression can also help relieve it.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve?

Pinched nerves are quite common, and so are their underlying causes. An acute injury that causes inflammation and swelling near a nerve can result in nerve compression. (If you've ever bumped your elbow against something, the weird tingling sensation you experienced was the result of a direct impact on a nerve.)

Acute injuries such as auto accident injuries can also violently displace spinal components, compressing nerves, nerve roots, or even the spinal cord. But pinched nerves can also sneak up on you. Many chronic issues in the body can cause spinal nerve or nerve root compression, including:

• Degenerative disc disease - Aging discs may bulge and/or herniate. This can cause them to protrude onto the spinal cord or major nerve roots.
• Vertebral changes - Spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis can put extra pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots.
• Soft tissue inflammation - Repetitive motion injuries and long-term postural problems can cause soft tissues to swell up, pinching nerves (as in carpal tunnel syndrome).
• Extra weight - Pregnancy or obesity can aggravate alignment or disc problems, causing or worsening nerve compression.

Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

Chiropractors know telltale signs of a pinched nerve include pain, numbness, tingly "pins and needles" feelings, and reduced muscle strength or control. A pinched cervical nerve root may produce these symptoms in an upper extremity, a problem called cervical radiculopathy. A pinched sciatic nerve root may cause the same symptoms in a lower extremity, or sciatica. In the most extreme (emergency) cases, it's even possible to lose bladder or bowel control. If you experience any of this pain, call our Chiropractor in Omaha today to seek treatment for pinched nerve pain.

Anatomy of a Nerve Compression Problem

The nervous system is a vast, intricate network, roughly corresponding to the countless wires, hubs, and trunks of a complex telephone or computer network. The spinal cord is the largest nerve bundle of all; it's protected and partly encased by the vertebrae. Large nerve roots penetrate through gaps in this protection, spreading out and branching off into the many smaller nerves that conduct signals through all parts of the body.

When a neighboring structure compresses one of these nerves, the sensory and motor signals that flow along it become interrupted or distorted. To make matters worse, the dysfunction may affect any subsidiary nerves that are "downstream" of the nerve being pinched, resulting in referred pain to the area of the body that relies on those nerve signals.

Non-Invasive Treatment Techniques From Our Omaha Chiropractor

Some pinched nerve symptoms resolve themselves -- but if yours are sticking with you, recurring frequently, or causing significant issues with your quality of life (and other, more urgent medical causes have been ruled out), it's time to visit Kosak Chiropractic and Acupuncture.

Our Omaha chiropractor, Dr. Kevin Kosak, will note the nature, intensity, and location of your symptoms while performing any other necessary diagnostics to isolate the source of compression. A discussion of your daily work habits or lifestyle can also help us diagnose a repetitive motion injury or other issue that may encourage nerve compression. Depending on what we find, we will then prescribe natural, non-surgical chiropractic and therapeutic techniques to help you feel better safely and quickly. Your treatment plan may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments to improve the alignment of vertebral components, giving the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots more room
• Intersegmental traction to help spinal discs return to their proper position
• Corrective exercises to strengthen your musculoskeletal support and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation
• Acupuncture to relieve pain and help your nerves conduct signals more normally
• Lifestyle advice to help you lose extra weight, avoid repetitive motion strain, and maintain a healthy posture

Ready to Take the Pressure Off? Contact Our Omaha Chiropractic Clinic

If a pinched nerve has been putting the pinch on your quality of life, maybe it's time you released that compressed nerve tissue the natural way. Contact our Omaha chiropractic clinic at (402) 964-0300 today. While there are many choices for chiropractors in Omaha, we provide a gentle and family friendly environment. We're ready to evaluate your condition and free up that painfully pinched nerve!