Radiculopathy in Madison, OH

Compressed or inflamed spinal nerves may cause radiculopathy, a condition that causes sharp, deep pain in the legs, calves and feet. French Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Madison offers treatments for radiculopathy to the residents of Painesville, Mentor and surrounding towns in Ohio.

What Is Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the spine becomes compressed, causing the patient pain, tingling or numbing sensations or weakness at the site of the affected nerve. Radiculopathy may occur in any portion of the spine, but most cases occur in the lower back (lumbar radiculopathy) or the neck (cervical radiculopathy). Thoracic radiculopathy, which occurs in the middle of the spine, is less common.

What Are The Causes Of Radiculopathy?

The cause of radiculopathy is pain or compression in nerves as a result of displacement away from the spine. The displacement of nerves can occur because of a disc herniation that is triggering the mechanical compression of a nerve or bone spurs (osteophytes) stemming from osteoarthritis. Radiculopathy may also occur when surrounding ligaments thicken.

Mechanical nerve compression can also occur due to infection or a tumor. In both scenarios, the amount of space in the spinal canal is reduced, causing compression in the exiting nerve.

Scoliosis, which causes the spine to curve abnormally, can also cause compression in nerves on either side of the spine.

Diabetes is another reason why people develop radiculopathy due to a reduction in blood flow to the nerves of the spine. Radiculopathy may also result from inflammation due to trauma or degeneration.

What Are The Symptoms Of Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy symptoms differ depending on the affected nerves. Nerves departing from the neck (cervical spine) control neck and arm muscles and deliver sensation to these areas. Nerves in the middle of the back, or thoracic spine, supply sensation to chest and abdomen muscles while also controlling movements of these muscles. Nerves in the lower back (lumbar spine) control muscles of the legs and buttocks, and transport sensations to these regions.

More typical symptoms of radiculopathy are pain and numbing or tingling sensations in legs or arms. In addition, patients commonly experience localized pain in the neck or back. Lumbar radiculopathy causing discomfort leading down a lower extremity is known as sciatica. With thoracic radiculopathy, the pain originates in the middle of the back and makes its way around the chest. Thoracic radiculopathy is sometimes mistaken for shingles.

Some patients may experience hypersensitivity to a gentle touch, which causes pain in the affected area. In more rare cases, patients may complain of weakness in muscles that the affected nerve control, which is indicative of possible nerve damage.

What Is The Treatment For Radiculopathy?

French Chiropractic and Wellness Center uses two forms of spinal decompression including flexion/distraction chiropractic tables, and a spinal decompression table delivering FDA-approved spinal decompression therapy. Manual adjustments by hand or assisted by an instrument are also employed for conservative treatment of radiculopathy.

Chiropractic care focuses restoring proper segmental motion to dysfunctional vertebral regions. This ultimately improves function and flexibility and reduces pain, as pressure is removed from the nerve endings that line the joint’s surface. French Chiropractic and Wellness Center is the leading chiropractic facility in Madison, Ohio. People living with back discomfort are invited to contact us as soon as possible to learn more about treatment options, and take the first step toward a pain-free life.

Isn’t it time you tried chiropractic care for you and your family? If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms of radiculopathy, please contact our office now to schedule an appointment.