A pinched nerve brings discomfort and pain to the body. You pinch a nerve when your bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons press on or put excessive pressure on your nerve. Pinched nerves can stall your activities, and when not addressed right away, they can attract more problems in the future.

One common spot for getting pinched nerves is on your neck; the condition is medically called cervical radiculopathy. Thankfully, finding a chiropractor to relieve pinched nerves in San Francisco is not at all difficult. A certified chiropractor can help address your pain and find the underlying cause of pinched nerves using physical tests and imaging if necessary.

Common Culprits Behind a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

Most people with neck pain are unaware that they have a pinched nerve. They often associate the pain and discomfort with muscle strain or overextension of the neck. However, there are various reasons why a pinched nerve in the neck occurs.

Usually, they can develop from vertebral subluxation or simply neck bone shifting. However, there are studies explaining that it can also happen to people with the following risk factors:

Excess weight

Gaining excess weight can bring out a lot of health-related problems in the future. While it is common for people who are overweight or dealing with obesity to have terrible back pains, it is essential to know that this can also significantly affect the neck and shoulders. 

While obesity does not directly affect the upper cervical spine, it has been linked to metabolic changes directly influencing the condition of spinal discs, even those in the neck or cervical area of the spine.

A degenerative disc disease

Despite the term degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the spine isn’t a disease, but a condition wherein a damaged disc causes pain ranging from nagging to disabling. This can be due to the drying out of the discs and is common to individuals over 40.

But daily activities, sports, accidents, and injuries can also lead to degenerative disc disease. In addition, worn-out discs tend to put more pressure on already damaged or pinched nerve roots. If you get symptoms pointing to degenerative disc disease, seeking the advice of a doctor such as a neurologist can be helpful. You may also seek a chiropractor to relieve pinched nerves in San Francisco.

Old age

The intervertebral discs or the protective layer between vertebrae or the small spinal bones act as cushions or shock absorbers. Unfortunately, like any part of our bodies, these discs also degenerate and break down as we age. As a result, they lose their flexibility, leading to the vertebrae or spinal bones growing excess bone structures, making the vertebral canals narrower. Eventually, these narrowing canals touch the nerve roots leading to a pinched nerve in the neck.

When consulting with a chiropractor to relieve pinched nerves in San Francisco, it’s worth mentioning some risk factors you suspect are contributing to your condition. This will help them get to a more comprehensive diagnosis and plan a practical course of care for you.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerves, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

What to Do to Relieve a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

When you get diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the neck, your next step is to identify a sustainable care plan that you can follow. Here are simple tips to help you get to complete recovery.

Stay physically active

A neck pinched nerve will likely cause pain and discomfort when you move. But this is not enough reason to stop you from engaging in physical activities such as regular exercise or doing yoga. Try doing short and simple exercises a few times a week until you develop the habit and find the best one you enjoy most.

It is vital to practice caution and not push yourself too much, especially if you experience great discomfort. Listen to your body, and if possible, consult with your doctor on the best routine that will support the health regimen for your pinched nerve relief.

Maintain a healthy weight

As you may now know, excess weight can cause and aggravate your condition. Therefore we recommend maintaining an ideal weight to lessen the pain and support your full recovery. Explore healthier diet options, choose whole foods and not those which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. You can also try intuitive eating or choosing to eat food based on your hunger, fullness, or enjoyment, instead of depriving and restricting yourself with food products that you should and should not eat. 

It will be good to incorporate a fitness routine and daily exercises. However, if you don’t know where to start, you can consult with a professional for weight loss tips that are the most ideal for your body type, medical history, and lifestyle. 

Consult with a chiropractor to relieve pinched nerves in San Francisco

Cervical radiculopathy can be due to a neck injury or a cervical spine subluxation. Suppose you think your pain is from a current neck or spinal trauma. Then, you may seek a professional’s opinion, especially if the pain is becoming more frequent and causing inconvenience in your daily life.

Contact a Top Rated Chiropractor for Pinched Nerve Relief

There has already been a great number of patients who got pinched nerve relief with the help of a chiropractor. This is because Upper Cervical Chiropractic of San Francisco uses a safe and gentle chiropractic technique for long-term relief. Our doctor uses a natural method to help eliminate all the symptoms and avoid the recurrence of a pinched nerve in the future.

To help with your pinched nerve in the neck, book an appointment with Dr. Lawlor by calling 415-362-3500 or booking your appointment online.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lawlor, call our office at 415-362-3500. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.