Written by Dr. Elliot Lysyk, DC ~ Vernon Chiropractor

Have you ever been diagnosed with a "pinched nerve?" What causes a nerve to become pinched or trapped? Pinched nerves in Vernon are usually diagnosed in association with neck and shoulder pain or low back pain. But this vague diagnosis, often accompanied by a hurried drug prescription, fails to illuminate what is actually pinching the nerve.

As nerves branch off the spinal cord within the spine, they must pass through numerous canals in the body to reach their respective target. The first canal a nerve faces is the tiny hole between any two vertebrae called the foramina. If the vertebrae themselves are displaced or shifted, by even a tiny amount, the nerve can become irritated. If a spinal disc bulges or herniates, the jelly-like material that makes up a part of the disc can be squeezed out like an ice-cream sandwich, and this can directly impinge a nerve.

The initial impingement often cannot be felt because only a small fraction of the nerve carries pain messages. When this squeezing irritation breaches a “pain threshold,” it finally hurts. Depending on which fibers within the nerves are being compressed, symptoms may include: sharp, darting pain originating in the neck or low back that radiates into the shoulder, arm or buttock; dull aching; tight and sore muscles; numbness and tingling.

If a nerve is being pinched, wouldn’t it make sense to find out what is causing the pinching in the first place? Doctors of Chiropractic, who specialize in bone and joint health, can help your body regain its alignment and heal properly, un-pinching the nerve rather than just medicating the pain so your brain cannot register the damage. Call our office today and see if we can help you or your loved ones with this issue. We look forward to meeting you!