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Pinched Nerve

Dr. Stephen Graham • Aug 29, 2013

In this video Dr. Stephen Graham of Graham chiropractic, a chiropractor office located in eastern Louisville, KY., explores the different ways a nerve can get pinched. The first of four ways, Dr. Graham, states is when the spinal bones move out of alignment. This makes the diameter of the hole where the nerve exits get smaller, which can pinch the nerve.


The second way that Dr. Graham reports a nerve can get pinched is by the disc degenerating. This decrease in disc height also makes the diameter of the hole that the nerve passes through, shrink in size, thereby causing a likelihood of the nerve to get pinched.


A third way, D. Graham, goes on to say, is when there is a disc bulge or herniation. The jelly in the middle of the disc when it bulges or herniates typically will move back to where the nerves are. When the jelly takes residence outside of the actual disc or the disc elements are pushed backwards, as the case is with a bulging disc, it can pinch right on the nerve. Dr. Graham says that the pinched nerve from a bulging or herniated disc usually is typically the worst of the four different ways. This type of obstruction may lead to surgery.


The fourth and final way Dr. Graham states, is from arthritic build up around the spinal bones. When the spine gets abnormal stress on it from being out of alignment or jammed up, it causes extra boney growth on the spinal bones and the two joints on the back of the bones referred to as facet joints. This extra boney growth sometimes referred to as spurring, clogs up the hole where the nerve exits and causes the nerve to get pinched. Some doctors refer to this type of condition as spinal stenosis.


All four of these types of pinched nerves, Dr. Graham goes on to say, can cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, or tingling.


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Chiropractic care can help with this!
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