Chiropractic Adjustments for Pinched Nerves in Bradford

A pinched nerve happens when a swollen joint, a tight muscle or an irritated disc narrows the space around a nerve. The result is often sharp or burning pain, tingling or numbness that travels: from the neck into the shoulder, arm or hand, or from the lower back into the hip, leg or foot. At WellCare Medical in Bradford, chiropractic adjustments for pinched nerves aim to restore movement in the joints near the nerve and take pressure off the area.

• pain that shoots or travels along an arm or leg
• pins and needles, tingling or numbness in the hand or foot
• symptoms that change when you move your neck or back
• a weaker grip, or a leg that feels less reliable
• less tolerance for sitting or driving

A pinched nerve in the neck usually affects the arm and hand. One in the lower back affects the buttock and leg, where it is often called sciatica.

Nerves need room to move. When the joints beside a nerve are stiff or inflamed, that room is reduced. Treatment is chosen to open the space up and calm the irritation:

• gentle adjustments or mobilization of the joints near the affected nerve
• soft-tissue release for tight muscles in the neck, chest, buttock or hip
• nerve-mobility exercises that help the nerve slide normally again
• strengthening for the postural and core muscles once the pain settles
• advice on your workstation, sleeping position and activities to limit flare-ups

With an irritated nerve, we use low-force techniques and avoid positions that reproduce your arm or leg symptoms.

Your chiropractor maps where you feel symptoms and tests your reflexes, strength and sensation. These tests show which nerve is involved and how strongly it is affected, and they give us a baseline to measure improvement. If the findings suggest you need imaging or a specialist opinion, we will arrange a referral through your doctor.

Go to an emergency department for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, sudden or worsening weakness in an arm or leg, or symptoms in both legs. See your doctor if numbness is constant or you are dropping things.

Recovery is often quicker with combined care: massage for sciatic pain or tight neck muscles, physiotherapy for strengthening, and acupuncture for persistent nerve pain. If a disc is the cause, read about treatment for herniated or bulging discs, and for milder nerve symptoms see adjustments and nerve irritation. For an overview of our care, see chiropractic treatment in Bradford.