Pinched Nerve
Pinched Nerve Care in Grand Junction, CO
A pinched nerve means a nerve is being compressed or irritated somewhere along its path. Many patients find that conservative chiropractic care helps, once the examination identifies where the pressure is coming from.
Short answer
A pinched nerve means a nerve is being compressed or irritated somewhere along its path. Many patients find that conservative chiropractic care helps, once the examination identifies where the pressure is coming from.
Understanding
What Pinched Nerve Is
Nerves leave the spine through small openings and travel through muscle and joint tissue on the way to the arm or leg. Pressure or irritation anywhere along that route can produce pain, tingling, or weakness away from the actual source.
Because the symptom shows up downstream, the painful spot is often not the problem area. That is why the examination maps the pattern rather than treating the place that hurts.
Symptoms
What patients commonly describe
Sharp or burning pain that follows a line into an arm or leg
Pins and needles, tingling, or numbness
Weakness or clumsiness in a specific muscle group
Symptoms that change with head, neck, or hip position
Discomfort that wakes you at night or worsens with sustained postures
Contributors
What can contribute
Disc material pressing on a nerve root
Joint or bony narrowing where the nerve exits the spine
Muscle tightness compressing a nerve further along its path
Repetitive work postures and long hours in one position
Swelling after an injury or collision
When to be seen
Signs that warrant prompt evaluation
Rapidly progressing weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or symptoms following significant trauma call for prompt medical evaluation rather than a chiropractic appointment.
Our approach
How this is evaluated and cared for here
Care follows the examination. Nothing on this page is a treatment recommendation for your case.
The visit starts with a consultation, then orthopedic and neurological testing to identify which nerve is involved and where it is being irritated.
Digital X-ray is used when the history and exam suggest imaging would change the plan, and existing MRI or CT reports are reviewed when you bring them.
Depending on findings, care may combine chiropractic adjustments, non-surgical spinal decompression, soft tissue work, or laser therapy. When the picture points elsewhere, Dr. Younker refers rather than continues.
Meet your chiropractor
Meet Dr. Dean Younker
Dr. Dean Younker took over Peak Performance in 1997 and has cared for patients in Grand Junction ever since. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Northern Colorado and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland University in Kansas City. He is a member of the Colorado Chiropractic Association and the Grand Junction Chiropractor Association.
“Because no two patients are the same, here at Peak Performance, we take the time to listen to each patient. We then develop a personalized treatment plan. Our promise is to help you live your life better.”
FAQ
Common Questions
How do I know if I have a pinched nerve?
Nerve irritation usually produces a line of symptoms into an arm or leg, often with tingling or numbness, rather than a general ache. An examination confirms which nerve is involved.
How long does a pinched nerve take to settle?
Many cases quiet down within a few weeks of conservative care, though this varies with the cause and how long the symptoms have been present. No timeline is promised before the exam.
Can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve?
Many patients find relief when the irritation comes from joint restriction, disc pressure, or soft tissue tension. If it does not, you will be told plainly and referred.
Should I keep working out?
Usually the answer is to change what you do rather than stop entirely. Specific guidance follows the examination.
Medical disclaimer
This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Results vary from person to person and no outcome is guaranteed. Always speak with a qualified provider about your own situation, and call 911 for a medical emergency.
Next step
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