Chiropractic Treatment for Leg and Arm Pain

Some of the symptoms that we commonly see as chiropractors are pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs. Although these symptoms are felt in the extremities, they are often caused by irritation to the nerves in the low back or neck. This irritation is commonly due to injury of the disc between the bones of the spine. The nerves that run through the arms leave the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae of the neck and those that go down the legs leave the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae in the low back. When these nerves become irritated these arm and leg symptoms can occur. I’m going to briefly discuss some of the treatments we use to treat this kind of condition.

One of the treatments that you may have heard of is spinal decompression. This encompasses a number of treatment methods but one of the main ones is traction of the spine. Traction is accomplished by applying gentle force towards the head while simultaneously applying force towards the feet. This slightly stretches the spine allowing fluid to re-enter the discs and stretching the surrounding muscles. This also helps to reduce inflammation and relax the musculature.

Another type of spinal decompression is call flexion distraction or distraction decompression. This technique consists of the patient lying face down on a table which has a lower half that can move up and down. As the feet go down it causes distraction of the spine. This treatment accomplishes the same thing as spinal traction but also increases the motion of the joints providing an increased therapeutic effect.

A different kind of treatment for leg and arm symptoms is called neuromobilization. Injury in or around the joints of the spine and disc can cause inflammation. This inflammation can sometimes limit the amount the nerve can move through its passageway. When we move our arms and legs in certain directions it stretches the nerves. If these nerves aren’t allowed proper movement they become irritated. Neuromobilization helps to restore the proper movement of these nerves through their passageways.

All these treatments along with chiropractic adjustments can be very effective in reducing arm and leg symptoms. If you or anyone you know is experiencing pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs I urge you to seek treatment from your chiropractor.