Nerve Pain

Nerve pain from sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and spinal nerves is commonly treated at our clinic. With many years of experience and thousands of hours of specialized training, Dr. Boekhout is an expert in treating people that have nerve pain. As a patient at Park East Chiropractic your nerve pain will be fully evaluated. We will utilize the latest developments in technology and chiropractic techniques in a state-of-the-art clinic to help you achieve a healthy, pain-free lifestyle…so you can enjoy life again! 

Pressure on nerves often causes pain, burning, pinching, numbness, tingling, muscle spasm and weakness. Nerve pressure can be caused by an accident or injury, posture or repetitive stress. If something is physically pressing on the nerve to cause these symptoms it can often be treated by chiropractic. We use adjusting, muscle techniques, and physiotherapy to not only relieve the symptoms but correct the cause of the nerve pressure. 

There are two major causes of nerve irritation, each requiring a different method of treatment, so a correct diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms is critical. The most common type of injury to a nerve is an impingement or “pinching” of the nerve. Nerve impingement often occurs at the spine and can be caused by being sandwiched between two spinal bones, pressed upon by a bulging disc or encroached upon by bony overgrowth. 

Other than impingement, nerves can also become “stuck” to surrounding soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, fascia) usually as a result of repetitive motion injuries. This is commonly referred to as a “trapped” nerve. 

“Pinched” Nerve

When a nerve exits the spine, it can become pressed between two bones or compressed by an unhealthy disc resulting in numbness and tingling in other parts of the body. The area where you experience these symptoms is indicative of where in the spine the “pinching” occurs. Nerve irritation in the neck often leads to symptoms in the shoulders, arms or hands. Similar problems in the low back can cause numbness and tingling down the legs and into the feet. 

Nerve irritation related to joint dysfunction or bone malposition is best corrected using chiropractic adjustments. By using carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore joints to a normal position and motion, the pressure placed on the nerve is quickly and painlessly reduced. This often results pain relief. 

“Trapped” Nerve

Nerves can also become irritated as they pass through muscles on their way toward their destinations. This is often referred to as a peripheral nerve entrapment. To allow smooth passage through muscle tissue that is always expanding and contracting, slippery sheaths guide the way for the nerves to pass through the muscle. 

When damage occurs to these nerves and their protective sheaths, scar tissue is laid down to repair the damage. Unfortunately, this leads to adhesions forming between the sheath and the nerve. 

When nerve tissue is trapped within or between muscles, the adhesions that cause the nerve to “stick” to the soft tissue are best removed using a muscle technique called Myofascial Release Technique. This is usually accomplished by applying specific pressure with a thumb or finger at the site of adhesion while moving the affected body part through a range of motion. 

Questions? Contact us or call 763.494.4900 and a friendly staff member will be happy to assist you!