Have you ever experienced your foot “falling asleep” after sitting in one position for too long? The numb, tingling feeling seems innocent enough, but it is actually an indication of a pinched nerve. Mild experiences with a pinched nerve like this are actually very common, and it’s usually fixed by moving your body and relieving pressure on the nerve. But in some cases, pinched nerves can’t be resolved this easily and require you to visit a chiropractor in Conyers. Some pinched nerves can be caused by spinal or muscular issues, and a chiropractic adjustment can help you find relief. If you find yourself wondering, “Can pinched nerves go away on their own?” know that AICA Conyers is here to help you understand the ins and outs of pinched nerve healing signs and signals that you need additional intervention.
Identifying a Pinched Nerve
Just like your foot falling asleep, symptoms of a mild pinched nerve usually include tingling or numbness, such as the “pins and needles” feeling you may be used to occasionally. Other symptoms can last longer, recur over time, or even be constant. These scenarios are signs you should visit a chiropractor in Conyers for relief. Other symptoms that mean you should seek care include muscle spasms, shooting pain, weakness or pain in muscles, and decreased sensation in the impacted area. In a severe or untreated case, you could begin losing the use of an extremity like an arm or a leg.
Common Symptoms
- Tingling and Numbness: The most common symptom of a pinched nerve is a tingling sensation, often described as “pins and needles,” or numbness in the affected area. This sensation is caused by compression or irritation of a nerve that disrupts signals it sends to other parts of the body.
- Pain: Pinched nerves can cause localized pain that may be sharp, shooting, or burning. The pain can radiate along the path of the affected nerve, extending from the spine to the extremities. The intensity of pain from a pinched nerve can vary from mild discomfort to severe and debilitating pain, depending on the degree of nerve compression.
- Muscle Weakness: Nerve compression can also lead to muscle weakness or difficulty performing certain movements. This weakness is often noticeable when trying to grip objects, lift weights, or perform tasks that require fine motor skills.
- Sensitivity Changes: Changes in sensitivity, including hypersensitivity or decreased sensation, may occur in the area served by the pinched nerve. You may notice heightened sensitivity to touch or temperature changes or, conversely, reduced ability to feel stimuli.
- Radiating Symptoms: Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, symptoms may radiate to other parts of the body. For example, a pinched nerve in the neck (cervical spine) may cause symptoms that radiate into the shoulder, arm, and hand, while a pinched nerve in the lower back (lumbar spine) can radiate down the leg (sciatica).
Progressive Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
In some cases, symptoms of a pinched nerve may worsen over time if left untreated. Examples of progressive pinched nerve symptoms include:
- Persistent Symptoms: Symptoms that do not improve or continue to happen frequently despite attempts with at-home remedies.
- Loss of Function: Progressive nerve compression can lead to loss of muscle strength and coordination, affecting daily activities and mobility.
- Nerve Damage: Prolonged compression of a nerve can lead to nerve damage, characterized by irreversible loss of sensation or muscle function in severe cases.
Pinched Nerve Red Flags
So, do pinched nerves go away on their own? Sometimes they do. But generally speaking, if they seem to become a long-time issue, it’s important to get them checked out. Additionally, certain symptoms associated with a pinched nerve may indicate a more serious condition that requires immediate medical attention:
- Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: This can indicate severe nerve compression in the lower spine and requires urgent medical attention.
- Progressive Weakness: Sudden or progressive weakness in an arm, leg, or other body part should be evaluated promptly.
- Severe Pain: Intense or debilitating pain that does not respond to self-care measures warrants medical assessment to rule out underlying causes.
Causes of a Pinched Nerve
Pinched nerves can occur in a variety of ways, and may even lead to conditions that impact the nervous system or musculoskeletal system. Cases can range from mild to severe depending on placement. Below are some common causes.
Poor Posture
If you work at a desk all day, you’re susceptible to something known as “tech neck,” which occurs when our bodies slouch over keyboards, phones, or other devices. This can lead to an unnatural curve in the spine or neck. Poor posture like this can cause a pinched nerve as the spine becomes misaligned. On the good side, changing your posture may relieve neck pain.
Spinal Misalignment
Spinal misalignments can occur in all sorts of ways and frequently cause disruptions to the nervous system, as the spinal columns house all the nerves in the nervous system. A vertebra being slightly out of place or misaligned is enough to cause an interruption in nerve communication. These issues may cause pressure or compression on a nerve, such as in a pinched nerve.
Herniated Discs
When one of the cushion-like discs between the vertebrae moves out of place or ruptures, it can compress a nerve in the surrounding area. This can often occur with the sciatic nerve, leading to shooting pains down the lower half of the body, a condition known as “sciatica”.
Carpal Tunnel
Most people think of carpal tunnel as occurring as a result of repetitive overuse of a hand or wrist, like from typing or writing too much. What is actually occurring when you suffer from carpal tunnel is that the median nerve, a specific nerve in the wrist, is compressed. This can lead to tingling, numbness, weakness or pain in the hand and wrist. Carpal Tunnel typically worsens over time without treatment.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Inflammation of the soft tissues near a nerve can cause that nerve to become pinched- this is extremely common in people who have rheumatoid arthritis. When the soft tissue surrounding your joints become inflamed, nerves in the area can be compressed and cause significant pain or discomfort. Many people cite tingling and numbness as symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis because of the pinched nerves.
Nerve Damage
One of the more severe conditions that stem from a pinched nerve is nerve damage, in which the nerve isn’t temporarily compressed but severely damaged. This often occurs in injuries that involve blunt force trauma, like car accident injuries.
Treating a Pinched Nerve
If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve, you may wonder, “Can pinched nerves go away on their own?” In mild cases, a pinched nerve may clear up on its own once your body adjusts and pressure is removed from the nerve. However, in moderate or severe cases, the problem may get worse or reoccur if it is not treated properly. Without treatment, a pinched nerve can lead to nerve damage or other serious conditions. Let’s explore various ways treatment can help with a pinched nerve that doesn’t go away on its own.
At-Home Remedies for a Pinched Nerve
For initial relief to help pinched nerves heal themselves, you can try several self-care measures at home:
- Rest: Allow the affected area to rest and avoid activities that worsen the symptoms.
- Adjust Posture: Ensure proper posture, especially when sitting for long periods.
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Modify your workspace to reduce strain on the affected area.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Use over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications to provide temporary symptom relief.
Chiropractic Care
When you visit a chiropractor in Conyers, they will be able to use manual adjustments, stretches, and exercises to address any misalignments that may be causing the pinched nerve. But can pinched nerves heal themselves without chiropractic care? Sometimes they can, but chiropractic care is particularly effective for healing pinched nerves because it focuses on aligning the spine and relieving pressure on the nerves. For example, your Conyers chiropractor may perform specific spinal adjustments to correct misalignments and relieve pressure on the pinched nerve in your lower back to reduce your sciatica symptoms. This helps restore proper nerve function and reduces pain and inflammation in the area for long-lasting relief.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and improve flexibility. This can help prevent future instances of pinched nerves by promoting better posture and spinal alignment. Your physical therapist may also recommend applying heat, which can relax the muscles and improve blood flow to the affected area, while cold therapy can reduce inflammation and numb sharp pain. Alternating between hot and cold can provide significant relief from pinched nerve symptoms. Specialized physical therapy programs can be tailored to address specific issues related to your pinched nerve symptoms.
Surgery
In cases where trapped nerves can’t heal themselves and in severe cases where conservative treatments fail, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerve. Surgical options can vary depending on the cause and location of the pinched nerve but may include procedures to remove bone spurs, herniated discs, or other obstructions.
Comprehensive Care at AICA Conyers
At AICA Orthopedics in Conyers, our chiropractors work with neurologists, orthopedists, and physical therapists to identify and address the root cause of your pinched nerve. By creating and providing comprehensive and individualized treatment plans, your Conyers chiropractor is able to not only relieve the symptoms of a pinched nerve but also treat the root cause and prevent it from coming back.
Our team of specialists collaborates to diagnose the underlying causes of your pinched nerve and develop a multifaceted treatment plan. This might include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and medical interventions as needed. Beyond treating the immediate symptoms, our focus is on long-term prevention. This involves educating patients on proper ergonomics, posture, and exercises that can help maintain spinal health and prevent future pinched nerves.
Pinched nerves can range from mild and temporary to severe and chronic. While some pinched nerves may resolve on their own with simple adjustments and self-care, others require professional treatment to prevent serious complications. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and comprehensive medical approaches offer effective solutions for relieving pain and addressing the root causes of pinched nerves. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a pinched nerve, visiting a chiropractor in Conyers can help you find relief and prevent future issues.