Have you ever experienced that “pins and needles” sensation where you’ve had your legs crossed for too long and your foot ends up “falling asleep”? That is an example of a mild case of a pinched nerve! In this case, your crossed legs put too much pressure on a nerve ending, so it sent warning signals that feel like tingling or numbness all the way down to your foot.
A mild case of a pinched nerve may go away on its own once you take the pressure off, like uncrossing your legs and sitting in a new position. But what about more moderate to severe cases of pinched nerves? If you notice that “pins and needles” feeling multiple times a day and can’t seem to shake those painful, tingling sensations then you may want to seek out a more lasting treatment option from your chiropractor in Lithia Springs.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
The most common symptoms of a pinched nerve include tingling and numbness, which is most commonly described as “pins and needles”. These symptoms can go away quickly in mild cases of a pinched nerve. However, other pinched nerve symptoms can last longer and may show up again and again, especially when you repeat certain motions or rest in certain positions. These symptoms can include shooting pain, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, and even a decrease in sensation where the pinched nerve is located. In the most severe cases, a pinched nerve can cause you to lose functioning in your extremities.
Causes of a Pinched Nerve
There are simple causes of a pinched nerve, like a specific resting position with crossed legs, but other causes might not be so obvious. Here are a few examples of what can cause a pinched nerve:
Injury
Did you know that many car accident victims end up experiencing a pinched nerve? That’s because the force of the accident can shake up the body and cause torn muscles, inflammation, or other car accident injuries that can damage nearby nerves. When a nerve in your body is compressed, it is unable to properly function and will then send these pain signals to the rest of your body. One of the most common car accident injuries is whiplash, where the neck muscles are stretched and strained out of place, which can put pressure on nearby nerves.
Arthritis
Arthritis generally refers to joint pain that is caused by swelling and inflammation in and around the joints. When you have inflammation inside the body, it can cause these swollen muscles and soft tissues to put too much pressure on nearby nerves, leading to a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve is also referred to as a compressed nerve because of how it is experiencing too much pressure that disrupts its ability to function properly. For instance, those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may experience a pinched nerve as joints deteriorate and inflammation affects nearby nerves.
Repetitive Motions
Repetitive motions like writing, typing, or even certain sports activities can lead to a pinched nerve. This is why chiropractors are great gym partners. When you perform the same action over and over again it can lead to overuse of a certain area in your body, and if you don’t rest enough in between it can lead to pain and inflammation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one example of how repetitive motions can lead to a pinched nerve. Using the hands and wrists repeatedly for extended periods of time can put stress and strain on the wrist joint and nearby muscles, and they may swell. If a specific nerve in your wrist is compressed, it can lead to weakness, tingling, numbness, and even pain in your hand and wrist.
Poor Posture
Poor posture is a surprising reason for a pinched nerve, but it is especially common among those who hunch over a computer or ride in a car for long periods of time. One common problem with poor posture is now referred to as “tech neck”, which is when your neck becomes sore or even painful after leaning or hunching over a keyboard for a long time. When you don’t practice proper posture, you can develop misalignments in your spine and the muscles that generally support your back can become weakened. A misaligned vertebra can put pressure on a nearby nerve and cause a pinched nerve.
Treating a Pinched Nerve
At AICA Orthopedics in Lithia Springs, our team of chiropractors can work with you to identify and address the root cause of your pinched nerve pain so you can experience long-term relief from these uncomfortable symptoms. Your chiropractor in Lithia Springs will natural and safe chiropractic techniques without any medications or invasive procedures in order to take the pressure off your nerve. Call or visit us online to schedule an appointment with an AICA Orthopedics chiropractor in Lithia Springs and experience the best in comprehensive care!