It always pays to be mindful of your movements and daily routines, as there is a big chance that you could be compromising your nervous system without realizing it. Dr. Keener, our Encinitas chiropractor for pinched nerves, has met countless patients who unknowingly have pinched nerves because of poor practices like sitting for too long or sleeping on one's belly. Do you happen to have pinched nerves as well? Are you guilty of paying very little attention to your body? If you answer yes to both queries, we strongly suggest reading on and learning about nerve pinching and how you can avoid them.

Decoding Pinched Nerves

 A pinched nerve is a condition that arises from nerve compression or irritation. It can develop in various areas of the spine and affect several nerve roots at a time. Patients with this condition note radiating pain in body parts closely connected to the strained or damaged nerve.

If the compression occurs on the cervical spine, you will likely feel pain in your neck, shoulders, and arms. On the one hand, if the condition develops in the lumbar or lower spine, you will most likely notice the burning sensation on the hips, buttocks, and lower extremities. 

This condition's severity of pain and discomfort varies from case to case. It may start with minor aching, which is temporary and easy to ignore. However, if left unattended, it can progress, causing long-term and potentially permanent damage to the affected nerve.

Symptoms of Nerve Pinching

A pinched nerve is a likely culprit if you can't find a clear explanation for the lingering pain around your neck or back. Still, there are tell-tale signs to look out for to determine whether the pain is benign or a result of severe nerve pinching or compression.

Pins and Needles Tingling

 One of the most definite signs of nerve pinching is paresthesia, the "pins and needles" sensation that spontaneously occurs if you remain in one position for long periods. The symptom mostly appears when you put too much weight and pressure on certain parts of your body. 

Radiating Pain and Weakness

As nerves are bundles of interconnected fibers that transmit information throughout the body, it is inevitable for the pain to spread to surrounding areas. Accordingly, you may experience light-headedness, muscle weakness, or loss of motor function in the body parts connected to the affected nerve until you remove the source of the compression or slow down nerve activity. 

Numbness 

Decreased sensation in the areas supplied by the damaged nerve indicates that your seeming superficial pinched nerve is advancing for the worse. It means that your nerve is too damaged to perform its normal function, which is to transmit sensory signals to your brain about the feeling and condition of the different parts of your body.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerves, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

Dos and Don'ts with Pinched Nerves

While pinched nerves often arise from an accident that causes the spine to lose its natural curvature, typical day-to-day routines and habits can also contribute to the problem. Some activities that are covert culprits of this painful infirmity include the following: 

• Wearing high heels daily
• Slouching while seated on the desk (during a long commute)
• Using your laptop in bed or working in chairs that put your body in awkward positions
• Sleeping on your stomach
• Regular consumption of heavy meals
• Carrying heavy bags and packages

These all seem innocent undertakings, but they can slowly impact your health and trigger problems like nerve compression or pinching. Additionally, they can aggravate pre-existing misalignments that you hope to correct with the help of an Encinitas chiropractor for pinched nerves. 

We strongly recommend being considerate and focusing on helpful routines that help your body perform optimally. You might also find it helpful to tap into activities that can help combat and alleviate pinched nerve pains, including: 

• Getting enough rest
• Taking regular walks and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
• Practicing yoga or doing simple stretching exercises
• Paying attention to your posture
• Applying a hot or cold pack to the aching body part 
• Wearing a splint to heal and prevent other possible damages

Anyone suffering from such understated but stressful conditions can benefit greatly from these simple lifestyle tips. They also work wonders for people who receive care from an Encinitas chiropractor for pinched nerves.

Set An Appointment With An Encinitas Chiropractor for Pinched Nerves 

Whether diagnosed or not, many Americans are affected by pinched nerves. Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness, cases only increase every year, resulting in an exponential surge of people seeking help from a primary doctor or an Encinitas chiropractor for pinched nerves.

Luckily for the locals of Encinitas (and nearby areas), K2 Heath Center is just around the corner to assist in diagnosing and resolving the potential root cause of their pinched nerve problems. Our upper cervical chiropractic doctor, Dr. Stephen Keener, provides tailored cervical spine manipulations using his knowledge and expertise in craniocervical neurology and chiropractic care, with emphasis on the EPIC procedure. 

You can find our upper cervical chiropractic office at 317 N. El Camino Real #110, Encinitas, CA. We are ready to serve all walk-in patients every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm; and by appointment every Tuesday and Thursday.

For your questions, you may reach us by phone at (760) 456-9470 or email at info@k2healthcenter.com. Alternatively, you can access our online form to schedule your appointment with Dr. Keener.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Keener, call our Encinitas office at 760-456-9470. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.