Pinched Nerve?

pinched nerve

“Doc, I think I have a pinched nerve.”  Not so fast.  I hear this so often from new patients when they come into my Newmarket chiropractic clinic.  It may in fact be a pinched nerve caused by a disc bulge or bone spur, but more commonly it is caused from irritation or inflammation of a nerve root resulting from an alignment problem.

Common Causes

Here are the most common causes of a pinched or irritated nerve root I see in my practice:

  • Spinal alignment/balance problem
  • Arthritis or bone spur
  • Disc bulge or herniation
  • Water retention or weight gain (e.g. pregnancy)
  • Inflammation

Signs and Symptoms

There are many different signs and symptoms you may experience.  Here are some you should not ignore:

  • Numbness and tingling
    • pain, numbness, or tingling radiating into the arm from your neck is called cervical radiculopathy
    • pain, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back to your leg/foot is called sciatica
  • Limb weakness
  • Pain
  • Loss of sensation
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control (go to emergency if you experience this)

X-Ray or MRI

Both are good to find out the underlying reason.  X-rays can see if the cause is coming from an alignment problem, a bone spur, or arthritis.  An MRI can help determine if the cause is coming from a disc bulge or herniation, or other more sinister causes like a tumor (rare).

What can you do?

  1. Seek help – we can find and address the cause. If a referral is necessary, we can do that as well.
  2. Move/exercise to your tolerance
  3. Do gentle stretching
  4. Eat anti-inflammatory foods
  5. Use heat or ice…read this to know which is best

Whether or not the problem is a “pinched nerve”, we will find the cause with our in-depth consultation and examination.  Getting on the road to recovery, will allow you to finally get back to doing the things you love.

Get off your nerves,

Dr. Jon Saunders

Chiropractic on Eagle

4.9 (422)
407 Eagle St, Newmarket, ON L3Y 1K5
Wednesday 2:30 – 6:00 PM
Monday 7:30 – 10:45 AM
2:30 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday 7:30 – 10:45 AM
2:30 – 5:30 PM
Wednesday 2:30 – 6:00 PMThursday 7:30 – 10:45 AM
2:30 – 5:30 PM
Friday ClosedSaturday ClosedSunday Closed

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