Radiculopathy: Nerves Under Pressure
Radiculopathy is nerve compression
Modern medicine knows comparatively little about this irritating condition that occurs when nerves exiting the spinal cord are compressed. Symptoms of radiculopathy include:
- Pain and weakness in the affected area
- Referred pain in other parts of the body
- Feelings of tingling or numbness
- Weakness in the extremities
We most commonly detect radiculopathy in the lumbar and cervical segments of the spine, and the most common risk factors for radiculopathy include:
- Physically labor intensive jobs
- Tasks that involve repetitive trauma
- Overly-sedentary lifestyles
Most cases of radiculopathy are best treated conservatively
The good news is that the body will heal itself of the majority of radiculopathy cases; and when it calls for treatment, it very rarely requires anything more aggressive than conservative care. The time frame for healing radiculopathy is between 3 weeks and 6 months, the speed of which can be increased using chiropractic. Controlled studies found here indicate that chiropractic, when combined with other conservative treatment methods, is very effective at resolving radicular complaints. The further advantage of chiropractic is that it comes with comparatively few health risks or side effects when compared with other forms of treatment.
Chiropractic for radiculopathy
Chiropractic seeks to use insights into musculoskeletal function in order to treat radiculopathy. By restoring alignment to the spine, we alleviate pressure from nearby spinal nerves. Furthermore, spinal traction is used to provide decompression therapy to the segment of the spine which is suffering, allowing for rehydration and replenishment of nutrients and oxygen to a region that is badly in need. If you are interested in using chiropractic for treating your radiculopathy, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.