Radicular Pain Treatment in New Buffalo, MI
Expert chiropractic care to address the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
What is Radicular Pain?
Radicular pain is a specific type of pain that radiates along the path of a nerve due to inflammation or compression of the nerve root at the spine. It is often described as a sharp, shooting, or electrical pain that travels away from the spine into the arms or legs. At Corrective Chiropractic in New Buffalo, MI, Dr. Strother is highly experienced in diagnosing and treating the structural causes of radicular pain.
Common Symptoms
- Sharp, shooting, or burning pain that travels down an arm or a leg
- Numbness or a loss of sensation in the specific area served by the affected nerve
- Tingling or a 'pins and needles' feeling
- Muscle weakness in the affected limb, potentially causing a foot drop or weak grip
What Causes It?
Radicular pain is caused by the pinching or irritation of a spinal nerve root. The most common culprits are herniated or bulging discs, where the disc material presses directly on the nerve. Other frequent causes include spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), bone spurs caused by osteoarthritis, or severe spinal misalignments that alter the normal space available for the nerves to exit the spine.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Treating radicular pain requires relieving the pressure on the compromised nerve root. Dr. Strother utilizes a corrective approach that may include specific, targeted spinal adjustments to realign the vertebrae and open up the neural pathways. We also frequently employ spinal decompression therapy, a highly effective, non-surgical technique designed to gently stretch the spine, create negative pressure within the discs, and draw herniated material away from the nerve.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your evaluation at Corrective Chiropractic will be thorough and precise. Dr. Strother will conduct detailed neurological testing to identify exactly which nerve root is affected. We will likely review or request imaging, such as an MRI, to visualize the compression. Your treatment plan will be specifically designed to decompress the affected nerve, utilizing a combination of adjustments, decompression therapy, and specific exercises to stabilize the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is radicular pain the same as sciatica?
Sciatica is a specific type of radicular pain that affects the sciatic nerve, traveling down the back of the leg. Radicular pain is a broader term that can apply to any pinched nerve root in the spine, including those in the neck that radiate into the arms.
How successful is chiropractic care for radicular pain?
Chiropractic care, particularly when combined with techniques like spinal decompression, is highly successful for many patients suffering from radicular pain. By directly addressing the structural cause of the nerve compression, we can often help patients avoid invasive surgeries or long-term medication use.
Will the numbness and weakness go away?
As the pressure is removed from the nerve root through corrective chiropractic care, normal nerve function is often restored. This typically leads to a reduction and eventual elimination of the numbness, tingling, and weakness, provided the nerve has not sustained permanent damage.
Ready to Find Relief?
Don't let Radicular Pain hold you back from living your life. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Strother today.