Pinched Nerve

Pinched nerve is actually a poorly used term to describe a variety of conditions that have a nerve component.

Most of the time, a pinched nerve is actually an irritated or inflamed nerve where the nerve itself is not actually pinched. In most cases, nerves become irritated and inflamed when the bones, joints or muscles of the spine are not in their proper position, or are not moving properly. This condition is called a “subluxation”, the treatment of which is the specialty of the Doctor of Chiropractic.

There are instances when nerves do become ‘pinched’, or rather pressurised. This would occur in conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In each of these cases: injury, spasm or inflammation of the surrounding structures creates fluid- which in turn occupies space. This volume places direct pressure on nerves travelling through the area.

As a result, these conditions are often referred to as peripheral entrapment syndromes or “tunnel syndromes.”