What Are Pinched Nerves?
“Pinched nerves” is a term used when a nerve is being compressed in some way by the surrounding vertebrae, bones, or tissue. This can occur in many places on the body and can cause a great deal of discomfort or pain to people who suffer from the problem.
While a mild or moderate pinched nerve may be a nagging, frustrating pain, in severe cases the problem can be downright debilitating. What is more concerning is that pinched nerves can result in nerve damage if ignored for too long.
Signs and Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
The pain usually occurs in the area where the nerve is pinched. The type of pain depends on each individual. It may be a dull pain or a sharp pain. It may be a steady, constant pain, or it may strike unexpectedly when you move the wrong way.
Sometimes, a pinched nerve can cause a tingling or numbness in an afflicted area. This is most commonly felt in the extremities. It may feel like your hands and/or feet are “falling asleep” or have a “pins and needles” sensation.
Around the pinched nerve, there may be muscle weakness, or you may become more easily fatigued in those muscles.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Pinched Nerves
The upper cervical spine consists of the uppermost seven vertebrae, which run from the base of the skull down the neck. This part of the spine is near the brain stem where it connects to the spinal cord to form the Central Nervous System.
The neck is a vulnerable area. Impacts to the head or neck area from a jolt, whiplash, or fall can cause the vertebrae to become misaligned. Even poor posture or a bad mattress can cause misalignments in the upper cervical spine. When this happens, not only can it pinch nerves, but it throws the entire musculoskeletal system off-balance.
When the musculoskeletal system shifts to accommodate misaligned vertebrae, it puts pressure on the rest of the vertebrae, joints, ligaments, muscles, and bones throughout the rest of the body. This can cause additional nerves to become pinched.
How Our Upper Cervical Spine Treatment Works
At Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, we seek to alleviate compressed nerves by restoring upper cervical alignment. That way, the musculoskeletal system can return to its healthy state. Reduction of inflammation and proper alignment alleviate the pressure on nerves so they can function freely. The body’s natural healing mechanism kicks in at that point and can repair damage and return the body to a state of health and wellness.
Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic is owned by one of Northern California’s most elite upper cervical specialists, Dr. Noah Kaplan. He is a board-certified member of the Blair Chiropractic Society and a practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique.
The Blair technique is a modern technology utilizing advanced technology to help assess the state of each individual’s anatomy. Dr. Kaplan’s office is the only office in the East Bay area that performs screenings with Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT) 3D diagnostic imaging scans. This enables the doctor to make corrections with more precision.
Blair practitioners can pinpoint the source of problems in the upper cervical spine and can therefore apply specialized low-pressure adjustments. These adjustments are much more comfortable and less jarring for the patient, and enable corrections to hold longer.
If you think you might have a pinched nerve, contact Dr. Kaplan for a consultation. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
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