As a chiropractor, the most common type of nerve pain we see is nerve pain originating from the spine, this is commonly known as radiculopathy. Nerve pain can be one of the most unpleasant symptoms that we see in our clinic. It can often be severe, constant and quite debilitating.
However, nerves are amazing! They carry messages from our brains to our limbs and organs and back again. They are what make your muscles move and what give you sensation so you can feel.
Spinal nerve discomfort stems from irritation or compression where nerves exit the vertebrae. At our chiropractic clinic, we aim to identify the root cause of your pain and craft personalised, non‐invasive treatment plans to restore comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
The nerves exiting the spine from the neck run down the arms, and the nerves from the spine in the lower back run down the legs. If a nerve is trapped or compromised, it results in a blockage of the messages between the brain and the nerve destination/origin.
What causes spinal nerve pain?
There are a variety of causes of Radiculopathy, but a spinal disc herniation or disc bulge is a well-known one: A disc bulge in the right position can occupy the intervertebral foramina (IVF), which is the hole that the spinal nerves use to exit the spine. The passing nerve can be irritated or compressed by the space occupying disc bulge. Sometimes degeneration of the spine, as occurs with osteoarthritis can also cause narrowing of the IVF.
Sometimes people can experience radicular pain (spinal nerve pain down a limb), without any obvious sign of nerve impingement on an MRI. In this case, it may be the spinal nerve root has become irritated or inflamed by a local injury. Or it could be that the offending disc or other impinging structure has reduced just in time for the imaging.
Any spinal complaint involving nerve symptoms are often slower to respond to treatment than just muscle and joint problems. Nerves themselves are poor healers, so even if the offending impingement is removed, the nerve can remain irritated for some time afterwards.
Other causes of radiculopathy
- Herniated or bulging discs: When the gel‐like centre of a disc pushes through its tough outer layer, this can press on adjacent nerve roots.
- Spinal misalignments: Minor shifts in vertebrae or restriction in normal movement may narrow the openings where nerves exit, disrupting normal signal flow.
- Foraminal stenosis: Degenerative changes or bone spurs shrink the foramen (hole), squeezing exiting nerves.
- Degenerative disc disease: Worn discs lose height and shock absorption, allowing vertebrae to pinch nerves.
- Injury and repetitive strain: Sports traumas, car accidents, or repetitive movements (like lifting or typing) can damage spinal structures and impinge nerves.
Recognising the symptoms of spinal nerve pain
Nerve compression or impingement can result in other symptoms as well as pain, such as sensation changes including numbness and/or pins and needles. Weakness can also result from a nerve compression. This is why medical professionals often check reflexes, sensation and strength in the limbs when checking for spinal nerve issues.
Symptoms depend on which spinal level is affected:
- Cervical radiculopathy (Neck): Pain, numbness, or tingling radiating into the shoulder, arm, or hand. There may be associated muscle weakness in the arm.
- Thoracic radiculopathy (Mid back): Sharp, knife‐like pain around the ribcage or chest, sometimes mistaken for heart issues.
- Lumbar radiculopathy/sciatica (Lower back): Burning or shooting pain down the buttock, thigh, and calf. This may be accompanied by other sensation changes and/or muscle weakness in the leg.
Because nerve pain can strike without obvious injury, it can disrupt sleep, work performance, and emotional well‐being.
Chiropractic assessment of a trapped nerve
Firstly, we will assess you to see if this is what you are suffering from.
Many people attend our clinic saying they have sciatica, but a lot of the time after an appropriate history and examination, it becomes clear that the symptoms do not indicate a nerve complaint and may be attributed to pelvic joint pain (the sacroiliac joint), or some other structure.
Your initial appointment begins with a comprehensive health history and a detailed neurological assessment, including reflex testing, muscle strength evaluation, and sensory checks.
Not all nerve complaints are suitable for chiropractic care, and some severe nerve impingements can require surgery, so a comprehensive assessment is important, in order that we guide you in the right direction.
Chiropractic treatment of a trapped nerve
Should we confirm a spinal nerve issue that is suitable for chiropractic care, we will then devise an appropriate treatment plan, utilising techniques designed to free up the area we suspect of causing the impingement. Treatment techniques may include manipulations and stretches to the spine; one such technique is flexion distraction for the lower back (pictured below).
This technique flexes and tractions the lower back spine in a gentle, repetitive, and pumping motion. This movement opens the IVFs, which is where the spinal nerves are often impinged. In theory stretching the spinal disc in this manner can also help reduce disc bulges/herniations. We use our hands to contact the spine to achieve these forces at the desired level. For a neck disc/nerve complaint we do a similar movement on the neck using our hands.
Other chiropractic treatments for nerve pain
- Spinal manipulations: Hands-on manipulations aim to reduce restriction, restore proper vertebral alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and normalise nerve signal transmission.
- Spinal Decompression: Non-surgical decompression, such as flexion-distraction, or traction of the spine, aim to gently stretch the spine, creating space for bulging discs to retract and alleviating nerve impingement.
- Soft tissue techniques: Trigger point therapy, vibration massage and soft tissue stretching break down muscle tension and scar tissue that exacerbate nerve compression.
- Nerve gliding exercises: Specialised movements promote nerve elasticity and reduce adhesions, allowing nerves to move smoothly through surrounding tissues.
- Posture and ergonomic training: Personalised advice on workstation setup, lifting mechanics, and sleeping positions could help prevent recurrent tensions and chronic strain.
By combining these therapies, we work to address structural imbalances, optimise biomechanics, and support your body’s natural healing processes.
Why choose chiropractic care for spinal nerve pain?
Chiropractic care offers a non‐invasive, drug‐free alternative. Our holistic approach aims to not only alleviate acute discomfort but also emphasises prevention: Our goal is to reduce underlying tension and misalignments before they worsen, to enhance spinal stability, and foster overall wellness. Many patients report better sleep, increased flexibility, and improved daily performance after committing to a chiropractic regimen tailored to their unique needs.
What if we can’t help with your nerve pain?
Should we think you need an MRI to assess your nerve impingement and spine, we can refer you for this. If you have already had an MRI, please bring any reports or images with you to your first consultation.
Get in touch
At Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we are committed to helping you if we can. If you suspect that your discomfort may be related to nerve issues, or if you are experiencing persistent nerve pain, we encourage you to contact us for a personalised consultation. Our experienced chiropractic team will conduct a thorough assessment, explain our findings and what we think is possible in clear terms. If appropriate, we will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and goals, aiming to maximise your possible benefit.
Not all complaints are appropriate for chiropractic care: If we think we cannot help your complaint, or you require more investigations, we will do our best to support you in finding you another path forward.
Contact us today to book a consultation.