What Is a Pinched Nerve and How Can a Chiropractor Help It?

Can your chiropractor in Bowie MD provide relief from a pinched nerve? Pinched nerves were conditions that caused pinched nerves, a very common condition in a chiropractor’s office. Therefore many of the patients that see chiropractors often ask about ways to relieve their pain and whether chiropractors can help with that.

There are a lot of reasons why you might have a kink in your neck, or why your back may hurt or any part of your body. Chiropractors in Bowie, MD such as the ones available at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab often have a lot of experience in dealing with and diagnosing various types of pain.

In case you do not know a pinched nerve is when tissue presses against your nerve. The pressure on this nerve, known as compression, causes pain signals to be sent to the brain. Bone, cartilage, muscle or tendon can press against a nerve and cause compression error.

Pinched nerves can be caused by a number of things, can be the result of a bone spur, it can be the result of a herniated disc or bulging disc, it can be the result of inflamed joints or something else. What is pinching a nerve will depend entirely on what part of your body the affected nerve is in.

When you have a pinched nerve you may experience a variety of pain and other symptoms; such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and sometimes you might feel pain in an area that is not affected by the nerve but is relaying the pain. For example, you might have a pinched nerve in her lower back and you might feel pain in your back, buttocks and down one leg.

Osteoarthritis can cause your joints to become enlarged and puts you at worse risk for bone spurs, age, posture, body mass and heredity also put you at risk for pinched nerves. Understanding where the affected nerve is helps a chiropractor in Bowie, MD determine the best course of treatment for that specific nerve and they will know how to reduce the pressure.

Chiropractors provide safe and effective treatments for pension nerve pain, and decompression therapy can help to relieve pressure from herniated discs and further help you to ease pinched nerve pain. Your chiropractor may also suggest massage therapy, cryotherapy, and it may offer you exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area so that it is less likely to pinched nerves repeatedly.

If you think you have a pinched nerve you should consult with your chiropractor in Bowie, MD so that they can help you determine what is pinching your nerve, whether it is an underlying issue, the best treatment course for the underlying issue and the best treatment for your pain management.

CrossFit has become a very popular type of workout. However, if you don’t take the proper safety precautions, it can easily lead to injury. Knee injuries in particular are one of the most common injuries CrossFit patrons endure. While it’s always a good idea to talk with a CrossFit trainer about your own health needs before beginning training, here are a few basic tips that may help you avoid some serious injuries.

1. Listen to your body.

Many people want to jump right in when they begin CrossFit. If you haven’t tried CrossFit before, however, and especially if you normally do not work out, it’s important to take it slow at first. Take your time and listen to your body. Even though CrossFit is based on high-intensity training sessions, it’s important to know your body’s limits and to take a break if the workouts are becoming too rigorous. Our knees were made to help bear the weight of our bodies and more, but they have a breaking point too. 

2. Ask questions before you start.

Unlike a treadmill or a bicycle, which are both fairly easy to figure out and use without help or training, CrossFit has a bit of a learning curve. It never hurts to ask your trainers some questions before you begin. 

3. Don’t feel pressured to keep up with everyone else.

CrossFit training can be very competitive. This can be great for motivation, but it can also tip you over the edge and make you do things that are unsafe or even downright dangerous. Don’t let this “peer pressure” make you do something you’re not ready for. Use your workout to be the best version of yourself — not to be better than everyone else. 

4. Workout with a partner or trainer.

Even if it’s a group training session, having a partner keep an eye on your form can be very beneficial. Aside from improving your form and making you feel better overall, a partner can help you avoid personal injury. If you’re new to CrossFit, consider finding a trainer who is experienced so they can really keep you vigilant about how you can improve. 

5. Go for small consistent gains over big dramatic leaps.

We’ve all seen the personal breakthroughs and huge success stories. It’s important to remember that those stories didn’t come from a single workout. They were the result of hard, dedicated workouts over time. Take pride in each small gain you make, knowing that the next one will build on it. 

CrossFit training can be a fun and exciting way to work out, as long as you are careful. A personal injury can sideline you, temporarily or even permanently. As a knee pain doctor, can attest, following these simple tips can help you stay safe, have fun, and get a great workout that you can be proud of, along with keeping your knees strong. 

If you are wondering whether you can get physical therapy (PT) at home, the answer is “maybe.” Some patients can receive in-home health services during which a licensed PT will come to their home to provide therapy. Since telehealth services are very popular now, PT patients also often have the option of receiving “hands-off” treatment during online live streams with a licensed provider.  It’s very appealing to choose the online option if you have difficulty scheduling treatment at an office. But, before making a decision on which route to choose, speak with a physical therapist about your unique needs and circumstances. 

As an experienced Bowie, MD physical therapy provider – including those who practice at MidAtlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic– can confirm, no two patients’ needs are exactly alike. Perhaps at-home PT sounds great but isn’t the best way for you to heal from your specific injury. Or perhaps you’re hesitant to embrace a home-PT option but it would suit your situation well. You won’t be able to make informed decisions about your care until you speak with a provider about your specific needs. 

In-Home Physical Therapy

For in-home therapy, licensed PTs are scheduled to visit your home and provide treatment there instead of a treatment center or rehab. Medical insurance may cover in-home therapy services if you have problems leaving your home. These reasons may include:

• having limited mobility to the extent that you can’t be transported
• leaving the home risks your health due to your injury or subsequent illness
• needing transport

If these limitations don’t apply to you, you can still request in-home physical therapy because you want the convenience, but it likely won’t be covered by insurance.  

You might also need in-home therapy due to certain illnesses or conditions you have. These may include: 

• hip or knee replacements
• fractures
• neurological conditions (Parkinson’s, MS (Multiple Sclerosis), ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
• heart attack
• stroke

Online or “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) Physical Therapy

PTs generally do not recommend self-treatment unless it’s under the guidance of a licensed provider. Unfortunately, there are many websites out there touting exercises and suggestions for individuals to do on their own. This is risky and likely ineffective. Without guidance from a licensed PT, you could:

• overwork your muscles
• do the exercises improperly
• cause more pain
• cause another injury
• waste time doing exercises or purchasing devices you don’t need

There are some things you can do on your own that are not likely to cause issues. You can apply ice or heat to your muscles, or do some gentle stretching. Simply resting your body can be very healing.

Many physical therapy offices now offer virtual sessions, so you might have various options with the provider you choose. The bottom line on DIY is you should seek a licensed and accredited physical therapist to conduct the sessions live stream and one-on-one. Talk to your insurance company if you need coverage for in-home visits, or you can start searching for local PTs who will provide online services to meet your needs.

Top Reasons To Return to Physical Therapy

Most patients undergo physical therapy for a short time. You may visit your physical therapist over the course of weeks or months. However, physical therapy can be a long process. For example, you may finish your initial several sessions and have to return years later to receive treatment for an exacerbation of your original condition. As an experienced Baltimore, MD physical therapy provider – including those who practice at MidAtlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic– can confirm, you shouldn’t avoid returning to physical therapy simply because it genuinely feels frustrating that you need to go through this process again. It is generally a healthier approach to work to a place of acceptance that sometimes old injuries “flare up” after initially healing to the greatest extent possible. 

Your Pain Returns

One of the most common reasons that patients require physical therapy is to alleviate pain. For example, if you have severe pain in your joints, soft tissue mobilization can help ease the pain. The use of taping, ultrasound or electric stimulation can also help with your blood circulation. When you increase your blood flow, you are more likely to heal quicker. In addition, relief from physical therapy is often safer than pain medication.

Your Mobility Decreases

When you finish physical therapy, you may have your range of function back. Often, physical therapy improves your ability to walk, stand or perform other daily activities. However, if you find that you are starting to lose those functions again, you need to see a physical therapist as soon as possible. You may think that an old injury can’t be “re-healed” or that you have to live with the pain, but that isn’t the case. In fact, even old injuries can often improve with flexibility work, endurance training and other strength training activities.

You May Require Surgery

Sometimes, when you suffer from joint mobility issues, doctors may suggest surgical intervention. In some cases, physical therapy can help you avoid the knife. If not, you may still need to have physical therapy to prepare you for the surgical procedure. Having physical therapy following surgery can also help promote healing. You may be able to heal without the use of stitches. Physical therapy can help aid in blood flow which also helps the body to heal itself. A lot of people fear being unable to move the same as before after surgery. If you don’t follow a physical therapy regimen, you could lose even more function.

Follow your doctor’s instructions in regards to physical therapy. Even if you start to feel better, don’t quit therapy before you’re cleared. If you are cleared but the pain returns or your mobility decreases, you may have to return for the old injury. Returning to physical therapy can help you regain independence or live with less pain.

3 Questions To Ask About Knee Pain

If you have recently suffered an injury, had surgery, or experienced a loss of mobility, you might be able to benefit from knee therapy by a Knee Pain Doctor. Your doctor may recommend this to you, but it is entirely appropriate for you to bring it up if he or she does not. Bear in mind that your doctor may not be able to answer all your questions about knee therapy, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. If your doctor does not know the answer, he or she should at least be able to help you find it out.

If your doctor believes that you could benefit from knee therapy, he or she may recommend that you see a particular therapist. However, this is just a recommendation, and you have the freedom to choose which therapist to see. Before you make your choice, however, it is a good idea to ask some questions first.

1. What Do You Need To Do To Prepare for Appointments?

Knee therapy often involves exercise, so you should dress in comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely for each appointment. If for some reason you cannot go to your appointment dressed in your therapy clothes, you should at least bring them with you so you can change when you get there. You may also undergo some sort of treatment modality, such as iontophoresis. If this is the case, you should wear clothing that allows easy access to the symptomatic area. For example, for the pain in your knee, you may want to wear shorts or sweatpants that are easy to roll up.

If it is your first appointment, you may have to bring medical reports and images. However, in many cases, your doctor’s office can simply forward these.

2. What Can You Expect From a Typical Session?

Knee therapy appointments generally last about an hour. However, the exact treatments you receive depend on your diagnosis. During your first session, the therapist will perform an initial assessment and develop a treatment plan in response.

3. What Is the Knee Pain Doctor’s Experience?

Some knee pain doctors, like one from Austin Physical Therapy, are generalists that treat all areas of the body. Others specialize in a particular type of injury or body part. While you can receive treatment from a generalist therapist, it might be a good idea to seek out a specialist in your particular knee injury. If there are no specialists available, it is still a good idea to ask the therapist about his or her experience with the type of problem you have.

Contact our office with any questions you have about knee pain or to schedule your initial appointment.