“Can a Chiropractor Help A Pinched Nerve (with pain in the upper back/shoulder area)?”

Good question that commonly comes up!

The best answer is… It’s very, very likely but it depends.

Great answer, I know. 

Bear with me for a moment as I try to explain a little.

The history, exam, and any testing all provide valuable info that can give a better idea as to whether conservative care by a Chiropractor will likely help.

Here’s where it gets a little tricky.

What often feels like a pinched nerve is not, it’s another painful condition.

• Many times the pinched nerve feeling is pain that is not a true compression.
• Often what looks like a compression on mri isn’t actually physically compressing a nerve to the point of dysfunction and something else is causing the symptoms.
• Sometimes, what appears to be the problem on imaging is not the pain generator or is only part of the reason you have pain. A true compression say from a disc (relatively uncommon in the upper back) might not be caused solely from the disc.
• Many other local factors that take up some space may be contributing including vascular changes (possibly arterial constriction with venous ballotment/ballooning), local swelling/inflammation, postural changes and many more.
• These other factors may be improved with Chiropractic treatment depending on the person/unique problem.

So many other factors make it really impossible to know without going in to see a Chiropractor.

Having said all that, it is well worth seeing a Chiropractor to find out because as I mentioned at the beginning… it’s very likely that a good Chiropractor can help you recover.

One last, VERY important thought about ‘pinched’ nerves…

A true nerve compression must be taken seriously. There is a time table to correcting the problem before permanent damage occurs, death of the muscle innervated by the nerve for example.

Don’t procrastinate.

It can be a very serious problem if you wait.

Need to see a Texarkana Chiropractor for a nerve problem?

Contact Us!