Salem, Keizer, Aloha, Beaverton Chiropractor Talks About Pinched Nerves

What is a “Pinched Nerve”?

The reason a “Pinched Nerve” is called a “pinched nerve”, is because that's what it feels like. But there's a lot more going on!

Your spine has little nerve openings where the nerves come out, and travel down the arms, or legs, or different part of the body. These nerve openings are like an open window, and they must be clear and unobstructed.

You also have 24 moving bones of your spine that help protect your spinal cord while permitting normal turning and bending and must allow normal motion so that you can do your normal activities of daily living, like tying your shoes, or bending over to pick something off of the floor and other activities of daily living. You also have pairs of nerve roots, one on each side that branch off your spinal cord at each segmental level to service the organs and tissues of your body. When these openings are obstructed, even slightly, your brain can't properly control and regulate your body. Also, when these openings are obstructed this can lead to certain symptoms such as radiating pain down the leg, or arm, or stomach, depending where the nerve travels.

When a spinal bone is malpositioned or out of alignment it can encroach or “pinch” upon these important nerve openings. Nerve irritation can result. This may or may not cause symptoms. If you take a bunch of pills to “mask” these symptoms, the inflammation may go down, but the original cause of the “pinched” or irritated nerve remains. However, you continue to use your body thinking nothing of it, and over time this can lead to abnormal wear & tear of the spine and lead to spinal degeneration or arthritis.

There are many types of “Pinched Nerves” or Nerve Disturbances. The two common types are:

1. Compressed lesion - This is just a fancy name for a pinched nerve. This is also called a radiculopathy when the nerve is actually compressed. This can be due to either a disc bulge or disc herniation. Or when spinal bones lose their normal motion or position with a disc bulge or disc lesion.
2. Facilitative lesion - This is when the nerve root is stretched, twisted or chafed. Think: hard tissue rubbing on soft tissue. This can also happen when bones are out of alignment or out of their normal position. This is common in a whiplash injury when there is a sudden “Force” that “snaps” your neck and back in one direction and then another in a “blink of an eye” i.e. that is in milliseconds.

We perform a thorough examination to help us identify areas of your spine where spinal bones are stuck and not moving correctly. Then, we give them a precise adjustment to help realign the spine. We then we do physical therapy, massage and rehabilitation to work on the muscles, ligaments and other connective tissue that surrounds the spine. This is done in a Holistic Approach so that we fully correct the underlying cause of the spinal injury or spinal condition.

The Aloha, & Beaverton Oregon Medical Centers clinic specializes in Auto & Work Injury. We offer Chiropractic treatment, massage therapy and physical therapy treatments to help you during rehabilitation after a car accident. The Oregon Medical Centers Auto Injury Clinic of Beaverton, Aloha, Salem and Keizer specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Our chiropractors offer a range of therapy options, including massage therapy and physical therapy, to return your body to wellness after a crash. Visit us at: www.autoinjuryhelpnow.com, or www.salemautoinjurychiropractor.com or call: (503) 390-1552 for the Salem, Keizer Chiropractor or call: (503) 642-2845 to visit the Aloha, Beaverton Chiropractor. Call us to discover how we can help you recover.