Neuropathy And Nerve Entrapments

Neuropathy and nerve entrapments are conditions that affect the nervous system, leading to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling sensations. These conditions can occur when nerves are compressed, irritated, or damaged due to injury, repetitive movements, or underlying health issues such as diabetes. These damaged nerve fibers send the incorrect signals to pain centers in your body, leading to neuropathic pain.

When left untreated, the discomfort associated with nerve-related disorders can interfere with daily activities and significantly impact your quality of life.

patient getting elbow and wrist pain treatment at myo lab

Symptoms of Neuropathy And Nerve Entrapments

The symptoms of neuropathy and nerve entrapments can vary depending on the affected nerve and the severity of compression. Some common symptoms we’ve seen include:

Burning, stabbing, or shooting pain in the affected area
Numbness and “pins and needles” tingling sensation, often in the hands, feet, or limbs
Muscle weakness, categorized by difficulty gripping objects or loss of coordination
Reduced sensitivity to touch, heat, or cold in the affected area
Muscle cramps or twitching due to nerve irritation
Pain or discomfort when pressure is applied to the affected nerve
Stiffness and difficulty moving the affected body part
The affected areas may feel unusually cold or show colour changes due to poor circulation

Causes of Neuropathy And Nerve Entrapments

Neuropathy and nerve entrapments can stem from various factors, including:

Repetitive Motion & Overuse: Repetitive movements, such as typing or prolonged physical activity, can cause nerve irritation and compression, leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Injuries & Trauma: Falls, fractures, or direct impact injuries can compress or damage nerves, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
Poor Posture & Biomechanics: Slouching, incorrect lifting techniques, or prolonged sitting can put excessive pressure on nerves, contributing to entrapment syndromes.
Chronic Conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders can cause nerve inflammation and contribute to neuropathy.
Spinal Misalignments: Vertebral subluxations or herniated discs can compress spinal nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or radiating pain.
Tight Muscles & Scar Tissue: Overuse or injury can lead to the formation of scar tissue and muscle tightness, further compressing nerves and restricting movement.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, can impact nerve function and contribute to neuropathy.

How Chiropractors Treat Nerve Entrapments

Chiropractic care takes a comprehensive approach to treating nerve pain and entrapments by addressing underlying causes and promoting natural healing. Treatment options may include:

Spinal Adjustments & Manipulation: We use gentle spinal manipulations to restore alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and improve overall function. By improving spinal alignment, the nervous system can function optimally, reducing nerve irritation and promoting healing.
Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like myofascial release, massage therapy, and trigger point therapy help reduce muscle tightness and release compressed nerves. These therapies enhance blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote the relaxation of tense muscles that contribute to nerve entrapment.
Cold Laser Therapy: Also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), this is a non-invasive therapy used to reduce inflammation and stimulate nerve regeneration, improving healing and pain relief in compressed nerves. LLLT affects the function of connective tissue cells (fibroblasts), promoting faster tissue repair and reducing inflammation. During treatment, specific wavelengths and intensities of low-level light are applied directly to the area you experience pain. This is where the body tissues absorb the light, stimulating cellular regeneration and healing. While you feel the laser device touching your skin, the procedure is painless.
Shockwave Therapy: This non-invasive treatment uses high-energy sound waves to break down adhesions, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular repair in areas of nerve entrapment. When combined with Cold Laser Therapy, Shockwave Therapy becomes even more effective in treating neuropathy by enhancing circulation, promoting nerve regeneration, and reducing chronic pain. This evidence-based approach helps release compressed nerves, restore mobility, and accelerate healing for nerve-related conditions.
Nerve Mobilisation Techniques: We use specialised manual techniques and guided movements to help nerves glide smoothly through affected areas. This can alleviate nerve compression, restore normal function, and prevent further irritation or damage.
Postural & Ergonomic Guidance: Treatments get you to a certain point. The next step we focus on is your everyday habits. Our team will educate you on maintaining proper posture at work, at home, and during daily activities. We may recommend changes to workstation setups, sleeping positions, or lifting techniques to minimize stress on nerves and prevent future entrapments.
Corrective Exercises & Stretching: Movement is essential for a healthy body. We’ll help develop targeted exercises and stretches to help strengthen weak muscles, increase flexibility, and enhance coordination. This supports nerve health by reducing excessive strain on nerves and improving movement patterns.

Patient Success Stories/Testimonials

Love this place and how they collaborate as a team with all different specialties to fix you. I’ve been feeling heaps better since going only 3 times! Thanks to the team and all your efforts.

Sinead M.

My first time seeing a chiropractor and I have to say I was blowing away by how informative and positive my experience was with Dr Shelly I’m definitely looking forward to more appointments.

Melissa R.

The staff at MYo Lab were efficient with my husband and my appointments. We had never visited before but will return as the treatments were beneficial to both of us. Such professionalism and kindness shown to us. Thank you to all.

Coreen W.

FAQs for Neuropathy And Nerve Entrapments

1. What are the symptoms of nerve-related issues?

Symptoms often include tingling, numbness, burning sensations, muscle weakness, and shooting pain along nerve pathways. This is usually different than the “pins and needles” sensation of your hands or feet “falling asleep” because it’s unlikely to change if you change positions. However, your healthcare provider can help you figure out the cause of your symptoms.

2. What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves, resulting in symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. The symptoms are usually “downstream” from the site of the neuropathy.

3. What causes neuropathy?

One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes, but infections, injuries, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to toxins can also result in neuropathy.

4. What are the symptoms of nerve entrapment?

Symptoms of nerve entrapment include pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected area. The symptoms often occur “downstream” of the site of entrapment, meaning that treatment is often focused on an area that may not hurt.

5. What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common nerve entrapment disorder where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in a specific distribution in the hand. The median nerve can be entrapped at other areas in the arm, shoulder, or neck, which leads to more widespread symptoms.

6. What other nerves can get entrapped?

Many nerves in the body can be entrapped. Sciatica is the entrapment of the sciatic nerve in the lower back, but it can also be mimicked by sciatic nerve entrapment at the piriformis muscle.

Thoracic outlet syndrome can affect the arms; the tibial nerve can get entrapped at the ankle (tarsal tunnel), and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve can get entrapped at the hip, leading to tingling on the front of the thigh. Any nerve that travels past a muscle or through a tunnel in the body can get entrapped.

7. How is neuropathy diagnosed?

Neuropathy is diagnosed through patient history, physical exams, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and sometimes blood tests or imaging studies.

8. Can Chiropractic care help with neuropathy?

Absolutely! If you’re struggling with the tingling, numbness, or burning pain that comes with neuropathy, Chiropractic care may offer relief. While every case is unique, our Chiropractic treatments focus on improving nerve function by addressing spinal misalignments, enhancing circulation, and reducing pressure on affected nerves. Through gentle spinal adjustments, manual therapies, and personalised lifestyle recommendations—including posture correction, exercises, and nutrition guidance—we support your body’s natural healing process. While it may not cure neuropathy, per se, it can help manage symptoms and improve your overall comfort and mobility. If you’re looking for a natural approach to better nerve health, a consultation with a Chiropractor is a great place to start!

9. What techniques do chiropractors use for nerve entrapments?

Chiropractors may use spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapies, stretching exercises, ergonomic advice, and lifestyle modifications to relieve nerve entrapments. These techniques are focused on encouraging the nerves to slide past the site of entrapment and reduce any muscle or joint tension that led to the entrapment.

10. How many sessions will I need to treat my nerve pain?

The number of sessions required depends on the severity of your condition, as well as how long you have been dealing with neuropathy or entrapment. A chronic neuropathy caused by a condition like diabetes will take longer to treat than an acute entrapment. Your Chiropractor will lay out a plan for you based on your condition, but you can expect more frequent visits initially that taper off as your symptoms improve and you’re able to manage your condition with the recommended home care.

11. How long does it take to see results from chiropractic care for nerve pain?

The time to see results varies depending on the severity of the condition, frequency of treatment, and individual response. Many patients experience relief after a few sessions, while others may require longer treatment plans. Your health care provider should be regularly assessing your response to care, and tweaking the care plan accordingly to keep you progressing towards your goal.

12. What should I expect during my Chiropractic visit for neuropathy?

Your first visit with us is all about understanding what’s going on with your body and how to best support your nerve health. Expect a thorough evaluation, where we’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and any underlying conditions that could be contributing to your discomfort. We’ll perform a physical examination and may recommend diagnostic tests to get a clearer picture of your nerve function.

From there, we’ll create a personalised treatment plan. This might include gentle spinal adjustments to improve nerve communication, manual therapies to enhance circulation and reduce inflammation, and recommendations for exercises or stretches to support mobility. You may also receive lifestyle and nutrition advice to promote overall nerve health.

The goal is to help you feel better, move better, and regain function in a way that’s natural. If you have any questions along the way, we’ll be happy to guide you through the process!

13. Can Chiropractic care prevent nerve entrapments?

Chiropractic care can help maintain proper alignment and nerve function, potentially reducing the risk of nerve entrapments through regular adjustments, posture correction, and ergonomic advice.

14. What other treatments can complement Chiropractic care for neuropathy?

Complementary treatments may include physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional support, and lifestyle modifications.

15. How can chiropractic care help alleviate tingling or numbness?

We use spinal adjustments, nerve mobilisation techniques, and soft tissue therapies to reduce nerve compression and improve nerve function. Exercise programs may also support long-term relief.

How MYo Lab Can Help

If you’re dealing with pain and discomfort caused by nerve compression, you can book an appointment with one of our Chiropractors. Alternatively, you can call us at (403)930-8686. We’re currently accepting new patients.