Pinched Nerve in Adelaide

A pinched nerve, medically known as nerve compression or radiculopathy, occurs when surrounding tissues such as bones, discs, muscles, or tendons apply excessive pressure to a nerve. This can happen anywhere along the spine or at peripheral sites such as the wrist, elbow, or shoulder. Symptoms typically include sharp or burning pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the area supplied by the affected nerve. In the cervical spine, a pinched nerve may cause symptoms radiating into the arm and hand, while lumbar nerve compression often causes pain and numbness down the leg.

Chiropractic care is a highly effective first-line treatment for pinched nerves. Your chiropractor will conduct a detailed neurological examination to identify the specific nerve involved and the site of compression. Treatment focuses on reducing pressure on the nerve through targeted spinal adjustments, mobilisation techniques, flexion-distraction therapy for disc-related compression, and soft-tissue therapy to release muscular tension around the nerve pathway. Nerve mobilisation and gliding techniques help restore normal nerve movement and reduce irritation. Research in the Spine Journal supports spinal manipulation for cervical and lumbar radiculopathy.

Your chiropractor will prescribe specific exercises to maintain the improvements gained during treatment and may recommend postural changes or ergonomic modifications. Most pinched nerves respond well to conservative chiropractic care within 4 to 8 weeks. However, progressive neurological deficits such as increasing weakness or loss of reflexes require prompt referral for medical assessment.