Pinched nerves are a serious issue. In the United States, approximately 85 out of every 100,000 adults develop pinches nerves a year. The constant pains, discomfort, and possible permanent damage that a pinched nerve can bring can be debilitating. If you have a pinched nerve, you’ll definitely want to know how long pinched nerves take to heal. The answer may have you rushing to get treatment.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
Cervical radiculopathy is the proper term for a pinched nerve in the neck. This occurs when a nerve is compressed or irritated in a spot where it branches away from the spinal cord. There are many symptoms a pinched nerve brings. Pain in the arm, back, neck, or shoulder can be a symptom of a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves can also reduce your sense of touch, or give you a pins and needles sensation in the affected areas. They can also lead to headaches, muscle weakness, and even organ dysfunction like those affecting digestion. A pinched nerve can even do permanent damage to that nerve if it isn’t dealt with! While a pinched nerve can improve without treatment, that can take a long time.
How Long do Pinched Nerves Take to Heal?
A pinched nerve can last a different amount of time, based on where the nerve is. It’s typical for a pinched nerve to last only a few days. However, the longer a pinched nerve lasts the bigger red flag it is. If you’re experiencing a pinched nerve that has lasted more than a week or two it would be wise to seek medical help. Without treatment, pinched nerves in areas like your hips, lower back, and wrists can easily last weeks. Areas like your shoulders, neck, and legs can easily last between a year and several years. With treatment, most pinched nerves can be healed in a few weeks.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with a Pinched Nerve?
Pinched nerves are most often caused by inflammation or compression of certain areas of your body. The inflammation or compression literally pinches a nerve shooting out from your spinal column. Places like your arms, back, neck, shoulders, hips, legs, and feet are common places for pinched nerves.
Luckily, the thing chiropractic is most known for is chiropractic alignment, and they can help immensely. These alignments help position your spine in its natural place, which in turn takes the pressure off of your nerves. The reduction of pressure helps decompress the sections of your body that pinch your nerves. Chiropractic alignments also help reduce inflammation in your body, which can also be attributed to pinched nerves. If an alignment isn’t enough, chiropractors in our offices can suggest further treatments such as massage therapy, dry needling, or physical therapy.
Summary
When your body accidentally compresses one of its own nerves, it causes a pinched nerve. This leads to pain and discomfort that can last a lifetime and even cause nerve damage! Luckily, our chiropractors help with pinched nerves every day! You can decompress places where a pinched nerve may start by properly aligning your body.
The sooner you un-pinch a nerve, the less likely you are to have permanent damage. If you have a pinched nerve or would like more advice visit us at one of our offices, in Erie or in Longmont. The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont treat the body holistically with our award-winning treatment process in Erie to help your body achieve and maintain optimal performance. We specialize in treating patients suffering from back pain and have helped several patients find relief without the need for surgery. If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our offices today at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
