Are you dealing with shooting or stinging pain and not sure where it's coming from? If so, you may have a pinched nerve. This condition can happen anywhere in the body, but is common in the back and neck. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV., you can get treatment and learn about preventing pinched nerves. Dr. Jay McClanahan is your caring local chiropractor who provides various services from traditional adjustments to Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to reduce pain and compression.

What Is a Pinched Nerve?

All your nerves emerge from your spinal cord. When something is compressing them, it can result in pain, numbness, or tingling. That compression may come from problems in the surrounding tissues like bones, muscles, or tendons. Growths along bone edges called bone spurs, herniated discs, and muscle spasms can easily press on a nearby nerve. Anyone can get them but women, people who are overweight, and those who do heavy lifting and repetitive movements are at a higher risk for this condition. An acute injury can also cause nerve impingement.

How Can I Prevent Them?

Certain daily practices can help you avoid pinched nerves. If you work in a job that requires repetitive movements or heavy lifting like construction or factory work, stretch regularly and remember to lift with your knees while keeping your back straight. Try to wear a back brace as well. Regular preventative visits to your local chiropractor can help maintain proper spinal alignment and correct lingering joint subluxation that can compress nerves.

What Else Can a Chiropractor Do?

Dr. McClanahan has a few techniques to relieve and prevent future nerve compression. During your initial consultation, he will evaluate you to find the source of the nerve compression. If it has resulted from a herniated or bulging disc, his treatment plan may involve a series of spinal adjustments over several weeks. By applying manual pressure to the spine, he can align the vertebrae and ease bulging discs back into position. He may also provide spinal decompression to realign herniated discs.

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can help damaged soft tissues heal as electrical pulses sent through the skin create muscle contractions and release endorphins. As a result, this treatment reduces and stops muscle spasms that may hit a nerve. A pinched nerve in Nitro, WV, may also be relieved through chiropractic massage that relaxes tightened muscles and other connective tissue.

A consultation with Dr. McClanahan can help anyone with a pinched nerve in Nitro, WV. Get a proper diagnosis and care by calling Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 304-776-1520 today.