Nerve Impingement
Nerve impingement, known to some as a pinched nerve, occurs where there is too much pressure applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues such as bone, tendon, cartilage, or muscles.
About Nerve Impingement // Pinched Nerves
If you’ve ever had a pinched nerve, you know that it can be excruciating. The pain stems from the nerve’s compression. Tissues that surround the nerve are putting pressure on the nerves or nerve root which in turn results in sensations that can come in the form of mild, dull pain, sharp, heightened pain, a tingly feeling, numbness, or simply feeling off in general.
Most of our patients come into our Seattle chiropractic office with nerve impingement causing pain in the neck or the mid, upper, and lower back, and oftentimes the root of the problem is a herniated disc. However, pinched nerves can also appear in the hand, elbow, and wrist and this can be due to carpal tunnel syndrome.
When a nerve impinges, it can be very painful, and if it’s not treated correctly, that pain can spread and cause even more harm. Using a holistic approach, Dr. Li can quickly determine the root of the problem and effectively alleviate the symptoms while creating a personalized whole health care plan for you.
Nerves can impinge at a number of sites throughout the body.
A bulged disc at the cervical spine can present as radiating pain down your arm, a stiff and sore neck, and the pain and numbness can have a negative effect on your shoulder and arm by way of discomfort or over-compensating.
A bulged disc in your lumbar spine can put pressure on a nerve root, creating radiating pain down the back of your leg, but can also cause pain or discomfort throughout the back, hips, and buttocks.
Pinched nerves can be caused by a number of things, some conditions including:
- Injury
- Arthritis
- Overuse
- Prolonged positions (poor posture when sitting at your desk)
- Diabetes
Some Common Signs and Symptoms To Keep In Mind If You Think You Are Dealing With a Pinched Nerve Include:
- Numbness
- Decreased sensation
- Sharp, aching, or burning pain (which may or may not radiate)
- Tingling (pins and needles)
If a nerve is pinched for only a short amount of time, there is no risk of permanent damage. Remember back to a time when you felt your arm or leg “falling asleep” on you. You probably felt a degree of numbness, tingling, or even weakness. As long as the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal.
However, if the pressure remains, chronic pain and nerve damage can ensue in the form of permanent sensation loss, loss of reflexes, and/or loss of muscle strength and tone.
At Mobility Plus Downtown Seattle Chiropractic Care, we focus on building a stronger and more durable version of you, naturally. Neurogenic disorders are common, and their incidence is probably underestimated. That said, nerve disorders and other problems that stem from that are some of the most common injuries and conditions we see in our Seattle chiropractic office.
Our services can help to reduce any and all of your pain with consistent treatment and adherence to rehabilitation techniques and exercises.
Our Chiropractic Services That Help Manage Nerve Impingement
At Mobility Plus, in Seattle, our goal is to treat the nerve responsibly, swiftly, and accurately while providing a sustainable and reliable natural solution. Our personalized services will always be safe and holistic with at-home stretching and exercises provided if necessary in order to get the very best results for every patient.
Clinical Neurodynamics
This system is great for successful nerve impingement treatment. It uses diagnostic and therapeutic recovery methods to support efficient, effective results. It is one of our most used practices for patients suffering from nerve pain.
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
DNS works to stabilize motor control and minimize pain associated with the loss of motor control. As children, we develop motor patterns that stick with us through life, however, as we age, we lose much of that dexterity, this system of treatment identifies the problems and corrects them.
We will provide exercises that improve daily life and pain management with this very specific rehabilitation. Mobility Plus Downtown Seattle Chiropractic Care is one of the only chiropractic offices in Washington that specializes in DNS treatment.
McKenzie Institute Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)
This approach is widely used and widely studied. It can assess cervical and lumbar disc herniations and pain found throughout the body, notably the extremities. MDT is extremely accurate when diagnosing root problems and how to manage those problems.
We often use MDT to help patients with acute low back pain. MDT is commonly used in physical therapy clinics, but our office is extremely well versed in this therapy as well.
Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
FMS focuses on the moving patterns of the patient. Particular patterns used for everyday work, sports, and activities can cause pain for a variety of reasons. This screening will allow the patient to continue their lifestyle without the pain the lifestyle generates.
This screening can determine how the body works and moves, mobility, motor control, and overall functioning, and the practitioner can then decide on the best therapy for the patient.
It’s another holistic approach used in our Seattle chiropractic office that most other chiropractors and PTs don’t use.
Postural Restoration Institute (PRI)
Dr. Li is a PRI practitioner, meaning he can recognize asymmetries in the patient’s body, inclusive of neurological, respiratory, circulatory, and muscular systems. The focus of this therapy is on the vulnerabilities that show up as pain when the patient uses specific muscles or movements.
We use this method on many athletic patients who may have pain due to sports-related injuries. Those injuries can be new, or date years back.
Dermal Traction Method (DTM)
Just like the name suggests, this manual method works with the skin (dermal) to ease pain and discomfort. Often patients experience differing sensations, such as burning, pins and needles, sharp pain, dull pain, radiating pain, stabbing, tingling, to name a few. The cause may be due to the nerves in our skin. DTM will help restore the natural, balanced function of the nerves, eliminating the problem and the pain.
Why Come to Mobility Plus for Your Nerve Impingement
Dr. Li is dedicated to providing the best, most reliable, and safe holistic practices to his patients suffering from pain. Using years of knowledge, experience, and ongoing education. We will not only manage and support your goals for a healthy lifestyle but also provide you with tools to maintain an active and fulfilling life without depending on medication or resorting to other invasive measures.
Close the Book on Pain
If you’re suffering due to nerve impingement or pinched nerves, you don’t have to. We can provide you with the necessary therapies and exercises to not only alleviate your discomfort but fix the problem. You deserve a pain-free life. Let us get that for you.
They don’t call us The Closers for nothing. Come in and see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Torleif G. // Seattle
Consultant
When I moved to Seattle, Dr. Li came highly recommended. I have seen him for multiple different issues, including lower back pain, knee pain, rotator cuff injury, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
Dr. Li's knowledge of the human body and ability to help you get healthy surpasses anyone else I have seen. Dr. Li also genuinely cares about his patients and takes a holistic approach to improving their well-being. Highly recommend
KCG // Seattle
Avid Soccer Player
I have been a soccer player my entire life. Two years ago I started experiencing leg cramps and hip pain mid-way through a game.
The pain became severe and impacted my playing time. Dr. Li diagnosed a lower disc issue and through his care and his PT treatment plan I am pain free and mobile!
Back to my best! Thank you Dr. Li!!!!!!!
Chris O. // Seattle, WA
Product Manager
I've had a great experience with Dr. Li over the last two years. His combination of chiropractic care and physical therapy treatment has cured my sciatica. More recently, I've worked with him on an impingement in my shoulder joint and he helped advocate for me with my insurance company to approve an MRI that they initially denied.
The MRI showed soft tissue damage that the X-Ray did not and allowed us to determine appropriate next steps of treatment after physical therapy did not cure the impingement (likely will have the torn labrum cleaned up and two cysts removed). A little more on sciatica: I had to move slowly when standing after sitting and was using pain medication and therm-a-care heat wraps to try to get relief for my back.
My family doctor, who is generally very good, suggested it was something other than sciatica (inflammation in my pelvic joints) and referred me to Dr. Li who diagnosed sciatica in a few minutes. He then provided adjustments to my spine and taught and assigned PT exercises for me to do.
He did a great job of assigning me progressively more difficult exercises to care for the nerve and spine and strengthen my core. Weeks later I opened my desk drawer to find a therm-a-care heat wrap and was surprised to think I used to rely on that for relief given how good I felt.
Two years ago I had to brace myself for bumps on an intermediate ski run with my kids and now I'm back to skiing steep mogul runs without a thought about my back. I was pretty compliant with PT instructions and typically did the exercises 4 to 5 days per week which seems pretty important to make progress.
I'm very thankful for Dr. Li's whole body approach and the progress we made on root cause via physical therapy to avoid the need for surgery or pain medication.
Connect with us:
Mobility Plus Downtown Seattle Chiropractic Care
P: 206-441-2505
F: 206-441-2508
info@mobilityplussportsrehab.com