Nerve Injury

Damaged, Injured Nerve Roots Chiropractor

Spinal nerves send motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the central nervous system and the body and are part of the peripheral nervous system. They are essential for carrying information that controls body movements and sensations to the brain. When a nerve gets injured, compressed, or damaged, it can cause discomfort, increased sensitivity, numbness, muscle weakness, and pain.

Damaged Nerve Roots

Nerve root pain is often caused by other underlying conditions that have caused compression or damage to the nerve root. Causes of nerve root pain can include:

  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal injury
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Arthritis
  • Spondylosis
  • Spinal infection
  • Bone spurs
  • Inflammatory disease
  • Spinal tumors
  • Spinal cysts

Spinal nerves impacted by injuries or infection can lose their ability to control the body areas, lose their functional capacity, lose sensation, and die.

Spinal Imaging

Nerve damage can be diagnosed on a neurological exam and correlated with MRI and X-ray imaging. Conditions that MRI can identify include herniated discs, spinal cord compression or fracture, arthritic development, tumors, or cysts pressing on a nerve.

  • MRI images are obtained with a magnetic field and radio waves.
  • MRI shows spine images from the side/sagittal view and cross-sectional/axial views.
  • This allows the chiropractic doctor to see the vertebrae and discs and identify abnormalities.
  • The spinal cord is a gray area in the middle surrounded by the spinal fluid, which appears white.
  • Little white channels on either side of the spinal cord are where the nerve roots branch off.
  • X-rays can show the alignment of the bones along the spine and determine any narrowing or damage to the discs.

It is important to be evaluated and diagnosed for signs and symptoms of nerve injury as soon as possible, as nerve damage accelerates and worsens.

Function Restoration

Sometimes, the symptoms improve by themselves and do not require treatment. Nonetheless, physicians begin with conservative, non-surgical approaches to treat nerve root pain. Chiropractic and physical massage therapy involves specific movements, stretches, and exercises to keep the affected muscles and joints active, prevent stiffness and help restore function and feeling. Treatment can include:

  • Therapeutic massage
  • Manual adjustment/resistance treatment
  • Trigger point therapy
  • Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy
  • Decompression
  • Traction
  • Joint stretching
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ultrasound
  • Specialized exercise
  • Activity modification
  • Anti-inflammatory diet

Nerve Chiropractor


References

Liu, Yan, and Huan Wang. β€œPeripheral nerve injury-induced changes in the spinal cord and strategies to counteract/enhance the changes to promote nerve regeneration.” Neural regeneration research vol. 15,2 (2020): 189-198. doi:10.4103/1673-5374.265540

Menorca, Ron M G, et al. β€œNerve physiology: mechanisms of injury and recovery.” Hand clinics vol. 29,3 (2013): 317-30. doi:10.1016/j.hcl.2013.04.002

Shehab, Safa Al-Deen Saudi. β€œFifth lumbar spinal nerve injury causes neurochemical changes in corresponding and adjacent spinal segments: a possible mechanism underlying neuropathic pain.” Journal of chemical neuroanatomy vol. 55 (2014): 38-50. doi:10.1016/j.jchemneu.2013.12.002

Stoll, G, and H W MΓΌller. β€œNerve injury, axonal degeneration, and neural regeneration: basic insights.” Brain pathology (Zurich, Switzerland) vol. 9,2 (1999): 313-25. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3639.1999.tb00229.x

Ye, Xuan, et al. β€œNerve fascicle transfer using a part of the C-7 nerve for spinal accessory nerve injury.” Journal of neurosurgery. Spine vol. 28,5 (2018): 555-561. doi:10.3171/2017.8.SPINE17582

Post Disclaimer

General Disclaimer *

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on this entire blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Β 

Recent Posts

Enhancing Pregnancy Wellness with Massage Gun Therapy

Stress on the lower back during pregnancy often leads to back (upper, middle, lower), sciatica,… Read More

December 20, 2024

Improve Sleep with Melatonin: The Ultimate Guide

Can melatonin help many individuals dealing with sleep issues and help them stay asleep longer… Read More

December 20, 2024

Achieve Optimal Health with Kettlebell Training at Any Age

For older individuals looking for a workout that can help improve overall fitness, can kettlebell… Read More

December 19, 2024

Choosing the Right Pillow for Neck Pain: A Comprehensive Guide

Can choosing the right pillow help many individuals with neck pain get a full night's… Read More

December 19, 2024

The Best Mattress for Back Pain: A Complete Buying Guide

What is the recommended way to choose a mattress for individuals with back pain?  … Read More

December 18, 2024

Discover Nonsurgical Treatments for Reducing Piriformis Syndrome

Can non-surgical treatments help individuals with piriformis syndrome reduce referred sciatica pain and help restore… Read More

December 18, 2024