Pinched nerves affect thousands of people in the United States every year. Studies show they affect about 3% to 5% of the population. In the neck, the numbers work out to about 83 out of every 100,000 people each year.
The surprising part is that most of these cases don’t come from a major injury. Fewer than 15% are tied to trauma. Instead, they often build slowly over time from changes in the discs, joints, or soft tissues.
And the problem has a way of sticking around. About one in three people will have their symptoms return, and nearly one in four eventually end up needing surgery when the pressure on the nerve isn’t relieved.
That’s why pinched nerves can’t be brushed off as a small annoyance. At our Wheat Ridge clinic, we use a variety of proven treatments that ease pressure on the compressed nerve and help my patients return to their daily lives with less pain.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve happens when too much pressure is placed on a nerve by the surrounding tissues. This pressure may come from a disc that has shifted, a bone spur forming along a joint, or tight muscles pressing into the nerve pathway.
The inflammation in the surrounding soft tissues releases chemical mediators that irritate the myelin sheath, the protective covering of the nerve. When a nerve is compressed, its normal signals are disrupted. Nerves carry both electrical and chemical messages between the brain, spinal cord, and the body.
If that pathway is blocked, the result can be:
- Nerve pain that radiates outward
- Tingling or the familiar “pins and needles” sensation
- Numbness in the skin supplied by that nerve
- Weakness in the muscles connected to it
- Slower or decreased reflexes
Common Cause Of Pinched Nerves We Treat in Wheat Ridge, CO
The cause of pinched nerves varies and often it comes from changes in the spine or its surrounding tissues. At our Wheat Ridge clinic, we see many of the following causes:
Herniated or Bulging Disc
Each disc is made to cushion the vertebrae, but when its outer layer (annulus fibrosus) weakens or tears, the inner gel-like material (nucleus pulposus) push outward. As it bulges, it encroaches on the intervertebral foramen or the small tunnel where spinal nerves exit.
This direct contact narrows the available space and places pressure on the nerve root and the nucleus material releases inflammatory chemicals that irritate the nerve.
Spinal Stenosis
With age or repetitive stress, ligaments can thicken, discs can collapse, and bone spurs can grow. These changes gradually tightens the canal (central stenosis) or the foramina (foraminal stenosis).
As the available space shrinks, nerves are compressed against hard bone or tight soft tissues. This mechanical pressure distorts the nerve’s normal shape and often produces symptoms when the canal tightens further.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In the wrist, the median nerve passes through a narrow channel formed by small wrist bones and a band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament. When tendons in this tunnel swell.
The median nerve gets squeezed against the rigid ligament, reducing blood flow within the nerve fibers and slowing electrical conduction. This leads to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Over time, the spinal discs lose water content and collapse in height. This “narrowed exit” makes it easier for the nerve root to be pinched between bone edges or compressed by a disc that has started to bulge.
The reduced cushioning also creates more bone-on-bone friction, encouraging bone spur growth that further narrows the opening.
Spondylolisthesis
When one vertebra slips forward over another, it shifts the alignment of the spinal column. This misalignment narrows the foramina on one or both sides, forcing the nerve roots into a tighter, irregular space.
The slip can also stretch the nerve root abnormally as it exits, producing irritation and weakness in the muscles that nerve supplies.
Osteoarthritis
Arthritic joints in the spine develop inflammation and extra bone growth, known as osteophytes or bone spurs. These spurs form along the edges of vertebrae and into the neural foramina, progressively crowding the space reserved for the nerve root.
At the same time, inflamed joint capsules release chemicals that sensitize the nerve. The combination of physical pinching and chemical irritation often makes the symptoms more persistent.
Direct Trauma and Injuries
Sudden trauma from a fall, collision, or heavy impact can displace spinal structures in an instant. A fractured vertebra may collapse onto a nerve root, or swelling from damaged soft tissue may increase pressure within the confined spinal canal.
Disc tissue can also rupture during trauma, pushing directly into the nerve pathway. Because these changes happen quickly, traumatic nerve compression is often severe and requires surgery.
How We Treat Pinched Nerves at The Disc Chiropractic
Treating a pinched nerve means doing more than easing symptoms. At our Wheat Ridge clinic, we combine precise chiropractic care with advanced technology to get real results.
Chiropractic Adjustments
When vertebrae shift out of alignment, they can close in on the small openings where nerves exit the spine. Using my hands to deliver a gentle yet precise thrust to the affected joints or bones will free the nerve pathway, reduce irritation, and improve overall mechanics.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
For patients with disc bulges or herniations, we use the Triton DTS Table for Spinal Decompression Therapy. This treatment gently stretches the spine to lower intradiscal pressure.
Shockwave Therapy
Calcified scar tissues often add to nerve compression. With the Intelect RPW 2 Shockwave Therapy unit, we deliver controlled acoustic waves into inflamed tissues.
This helps break up scar tissue and trigger points, increase blood circulation, and kickstart the body’s natural healing process.
Soft Tissue Therapy
When muscles or fascia stay too tight for too long, they can press into nerve pathways. The Rapid Release Pro 3 uses high-frequency vibration to release adhesions and relax hypertonic muscles. By improving tissue mobility, this therapy eases pressure on the nerve and supports better movement.
Therapeutic Exercises & Posture Correction
Long-term relief depends on stability. We teach specific corrective exercises to strengthen spinal support muscles and improve posture.
This training reduces uneven stress on the spine, keeping nerves free from recurring compression.
FAQs About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What’s the fastest way to heal a pinched nerve?
The fastest recovery happens when the source of compression is relieved. If a disc is pressing on the nerve root, spinal decompression therapy reduces disc pressure. If spinal alignment is narrowing the nerve space, chiropractic adjustments restore that spacing.
How can I tell if I have a pinched nerve or muscle strain?
A muscle strain stays local, with soreness or spasm in the injured muscle. A pinched nerve causes neurological signs: tingling, numbness, or pain that travels along the nerve pathway. Weakness or loss of reflexes is also a key sign.
Can a pinched nerve go away on its own?
Some mild cases improve when swelling decreases. If the compression is from a herniated disc, arthritis, or narrowing of the spine, symptoms often return unless the pressure is corrected. Recurrence happens in nearly one-third of patients, if treatment is delayed.
How long does recovery usually take?
Recovery time varies with severity and cause. Mild inflammation-related compression may improve in 2–6 weeks. Herniated discs or arthritic narrowing may take 2–3 months or longer.
Are pinched nerves always caused by a spine problem?
Not always. Many pinched nerves come from the cervical or lumbar spine, but peripheral entrapments are also common. Such as carpal tunnel syndrome which compresses the median nerve at the wrist or piriformis syndrome that irritates the sciatic nerve deep in the buttocks
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Recovery
Our $97 New Patient Special is where it starts. At The Disc Chiropractic, we’ve helped people across Wheat Ridge and Denver recover from pinched nerves with care that identifies the exact source of compression and provides a clear plan forward.
You’ll leave your first visit knowing what’s happening and how to fix it.
If you’re ready to stop living with nerve pain and start moving the right way, it’s time to take action.