Nerve Pain

Nerve Pain Treatment: Is Chiropractic Care An Effective Management Option?

Every action and function in our body is controlled, facilitated, and regulated by our nervous system. Maintaining our body temperature, activating sweat glands, permitting muscular contraction, and allowing our heart to beat and contract continually are all examples of processes. Our neurological systems are made up of three types of nerves:

 

Autonomic – control involuntary and voluntary functions such as heartbeat, digestion, and breathing

Motor – control muscles by sending brain signals down the spinal cord to particular muscles

Sensory – regulates touch and sensation of the skin

 

However, when there are issues with our neurological system, such as nerve pain or neuropathy, the consequences may be severe and substantially impair our capacity to operate properly. Depending on the location of the injury (brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves) and the kind of nerves involved, nerve pain and neuropathy can cause a wide range of symptoms.

COMMON NERVE PAIN SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  1. Muscle weakness
  2. Burning pain
  3. Tingling & numbness
  4. Muscle twitching
  5. Loss of muscle size (atrophy)
  6. Sharp, shooting aching pain
  7. Electric shock pain
  8. Total muscle paralysis
  9. Partial or complete reflex loss

 

POTENTIAL CAUSES OF NEUROPATHY

While there are numerous causes of nerve pain, the most common that we see in clinical practice is arthritis, disc herniation, disc bulges, inflammation, nutritional deficiency or toxicity, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, spinal misalignment, diabetes, trigeminal neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, shingles, guillain barre syndrome, physical trauma, myasthenia gravis, motor neurone disease, lupus, infection, spinal fracture, and tumor growth.

NERVE PAIN TREATMENT OPTIONS

 

CHIROPRACTIC


Chiropractic management may be effective depending on the specific conditions. Chiropractic is a non-invasive holistic manual therapy that focuses on enhancing one's overall health and well-being through modifying the nerve system's function. Chiropractic accomplishes this through a variety of means, the most prevalent of which are improved posture, altered spinal alignment, and less nerve system interference.

 

Specific manual adjustments (spinal manipulation) are made to release pressure in the joints and the nerve during spinal manipulation for nerve pain in order to enhance joint alignment, flexibility, and movement as well as to reduce pain.

 

Joint mobilisation is for those who dislike manual adjustment or during acute episodes of nerve pain where, joint mobilisation is a more gentle therapy that is frequently employed.

 

Distraction and traction therapy as a sort of joint mobilisation that gently stretches and depressurises the spinal joints and releases the pressure, distraction and traction treatment is a particularly useful method for nerve and disc issues, facet inflammation, and other joint-related conditions.

 

Flexibility exercises & stretches are an excellent way to improve overall flexibility, release pressure and tension whilst supporting mobility. Most exercises and stretches are tailored to busy modern lives and easily integrate into your daily routine.

 

Activator Technique or Impulse Mobilisation Therapy (hand-held instruments) is used to facilitate improved joint mobility and is appropriate for all persons and levels of severity.

 

SOT pelvic blocking (mobilisation of pelvic joints) to promote pelvic and sacral joint mobility

 

 

 

MASSAGE


Gentle remedial massage techniques are fantastic for relieving muscle tightness and fascial spasm resulting from the nerve pain and antalgia. Such techniques also aid in improving flexibility, general posture and movement and overall pain levels

 

 

MEDICATIONS


Anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opiates (pain relievers), and topical treatments are common prescription drugs for neuropathic pain. Nausea, sleepiness, vertigo, and dizziness are common adverse effects of such techniques. Consult your doctor about prescription medicine that is appropriate for your specific condition.

 

 

SURGICAL INTERVENTION


Surgery may be necessary in rare occasions for those with really severe illnesses. Nerve blocking and nerve severing are two possible approaches.

 

RESEARCH ON NERVE PAIN AND CHIROPRACTIC?

Clinically significant improvements were noted in pain and overall disability following Chiropractic management in individuals suffering symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy highlighting the viable option of using it as a nerve pain treatment. Murphy, D.R., Hurwitz, EL., McGovern, E.E (2009). A nonsurgical approach to the management of patients with lumbar radiculopathy secondary to to herniated disc: A prospective observational cohort study with follow up. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, 32(9); 723 – 733

 

Conservative Chiropractic management produced favourable outcomes for majority of patients suffering radiculopathy in a hospital setting. Christense, K. et al (2008). Chiropractic outcomes managing radiculopathy in a hospital setting : A retrospective review of 162 patients. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 7(3); 115 – 125

Looking for nerve pain relief?

Want to try chiropractic care for yourself?

Call us today or book online for your assessment.

Looking for Nerve pain relief? Want to try chiropractic care for yourself?

Call us today for your assessment. Click here to Contact Us