A pinched nerve in the neck can be painful. Chiropractors are trained to fix the issue and leave you feeling better. While options such as at home stretching are effective, they complement chiropractic treatment and should be performed under the supervision of your chiropractor.
What causes pinched nerves in your neck?
Before beginning treatment, the chiropractor must understand how the issue was caused. For example, those who work desk jobs often suffer from poor posture, a common reason for a pinched nerve in the neck.
Another cause of pinched nerve is a bulging disc. Bulging discs are normally caused by whiplash or improper lifting technique.
Pinched nerves are often the result of soft tissue or joint issues. Many daily activities, if done incorrectly, can put unnecessary stress on the spine, pinching the nerve and causing pain.
Chiropractic care
Your chiropractor can help to alleviate the discomfort of your pinched nerve with a spinal adjustment to restore any issues and recommend at home exercises to complement the treatment.
These exercises include simple things such as standing up and walking every hour, stretching, or making sure you have proper posture when sitting.
Heat and cold therapy
Alternating between ice and heat packs can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the area of your pinched nerve. Ice packs will reduce swelling in the area while heating the area will increase blood flow to speed up recovery. This method can be recommended for most pinched nerves as well as many other issues. See a licensed chiropractor for when to apply heat or cold and for how long.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy can help reduce pain and stress in your neck brought on by the pinched nerve. The gentle pressure on the affected area relieves the tension and also helps with increasing the blood flow. This relief will cause the muscles to relax, making it easier for the area to heal. While the gentle massages are helpful, avoid deep tissue massages as they can worsen the condition.
Chiropractic therapy, along with massage therapy, can help adjust your spine if you are having posture issues. The chiropractor will recommend the best type of massage therapy for your issue.
Guided stretches to do at home
If you have a severely pinched nerve, your chiropractor may guide you through stretches to do at home to help relieve pain. These exercises will target your specific condition based on how you acquired the pinched nerve. While the exercises are all gentle, they are meant to acclimate your body to proper conditions to prevent further injury. Most people think of exercising as a way to get stronger, but the best way to start is by knowing how to exercise correctly.
Chin tuck, shoulder roll, trap stretch, head turn, and neck bend are all examples of stretches they may show you.
Yoga is also effective at alleviating pain, and it provides stability and gently works out the problem areas. Yoga can aid in improving your posture and strengthening your spine to provide relief and prevent any future pinched nerves,
If you have a pinched nerve that is bothering you, seek chiropractic assistance. They can provide relief and find what is causing your pinched nerve. With their help, you can prevent any future pinched nerves in your neck.
