How Chiropractic Helps with Nerve Pain and Neuralgia

How Chiropractic Helps with Nerve Pain and Neuralgia

Understanding Nerve Pain and Neuralgia

Nerve pain, medically known as neuropathic pain, is different from typical muscle or joint pain. It stems from damage, irritation, or compression of nerves, which can cause a range of symptoms often described as sharp, shooting, burning, or electric-like sensations. This discomfort can be persistent or occur in episodes and may affect one or multiple regions of the body.

Neuralgia, a specific type of nerve pain, refers to pain that follows the path of a nerve. Common types include:

• Trigeminal neuralgia (affecting the face and jaw)

• Occipital neuralgia (affecting the base of the skull and behind the eyes)

• Postherpetic neuralgia (a complication of shingles)

• Intercostal neuralgia (pain along the ribs)

• Sciatica (radiating leg pain from lumbar nerve root compression)

This type of pain can be debilitating as it can limit your ability to work, exercise, or sleep and may not always respond well to medications. Patients often report frustrating cycles of pain relief followed by flare-ups.

What Causes Nerve Issues?

Nerve pain can originate from a variety of mechanical, structural, or systemic causes. Chiropractic care is particularly relevant in addressing mechanical contributors that affect nerve function.

Here are common causes that chiropractors evaluate:

1. Spinal Dysfunction When vertebrae become misaligned, lose mobility, or undergo degenerative changes, they may place pressure on nearby nerves, causing irritation or disrupting nerve signalling. Such issues may result from poor posture, trauma, overuse, or even stress.

2. Disc-Related Conditions Conditions such as herniated or bulging discs can press against spinal nerves, causing radiating pain, burning, numbness, or tingling. This is especially common in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions.

3. Tight Muscles and Fascial Tension Overly tight muscles can compress peripheral nerves—especially in areas like the neck, shoulder, and glutes (e.g., piriformis syndrome). Fascia (connective tissue) restrictions can also contribute to altered nerve function.

4. Repetitive Strain and Poor Ergonomics Modern lifestyles involving prolonged sitting, screen time, or repetitive motion can place stress on nerves over time. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome from desk work or tech neck from looking down at devices.

5. Systemic Health Conditions While not the direct focus of chiropractic care, underlying health conditions such as diabetes, infections, or autoimmune diseases can also cause nerve damage or inflammation. Chiropractors work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals in such cases.

By identifying and correcting biomechanical stressors, chiropractors aim to reduce interference on the nervous system and support the body’s natural healing process.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Nerve Pain

Chiropractic care for nerve issues focuses on restoring proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on affected nerves.

Here’s how nerve pain chiropractic care may help:

✅ Reduces Nerve Irritation Chiropractic adjustments help relieve joint restrictions that may be compressing nerve tissue.

✅ Improves Spinal Alignment Proper alignment helps restore optimal nerve function and reduces mechanical strain.

✅ Enhances Movement Improved mobility can reduce inflammation and help you move more freely with less discomfort.

✅ Supports Healing By improving blood flow and decreasing mechanical interference, chiropractic care supports the body’s natural repair mechanisms.

✅ Holistic Approach Chiropractors often incorporate exercise, posture education, and ergonomic advice into your plan, creating a comprehensive neuralgia treatment chiropractic strategy.

Common Conditions Chiropractic May Assist With:

• Sciatica
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Peripheral nerve entrapments (e.g., carpal tunnel)
• Postural nerve impingement (e.g., tech neck)

Research Insight: A case report in the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic detailed upper cervical chiropractic treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in a 68 year old woman with long-standing facial and neck pain. Over 18 maintenance visits, the patient reported a reduction in pain frequency and intensity, improved posture, increased cervical range of motion, and decreased facial pain alongside reduced medication use.

Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. Active spinal manipulations produced greater short- and some longer-term improvements in pain and function compared with a simulated (placebo) manipulation in patients with MRI-confirmed disc protrusion and sciatica. Low-level laser therapy may help relieve certain types of nerve pain, such as pinched nerves in the neck and trigeminal neuralgia, especially when combined with other treatments like chiropractic. For more information, please visit here.

Book an Appointment

At Lakeside Chiropractic, we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced team employs evidence-based chiropractic techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients.

If you’re dealing with nerve pain or irritation that just won’t ease up, book in for an assessment to find out what might be the causes behind it.

📍 Find us in Joondalup

📅 Book online: https://www.lakesidechiro.com.au/

While results can differ from person to person, many find that this multi-modal approach supports gradual improvement. If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain, call us on 9300 0095 to see how we can help, or visit our website for more information.

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup. If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.

References:

1. Trager, R. J., Cupler, Z. A., Srinivasan, R., Harper, E. G., & Perez, J. A. (2025). Association between chiropractic spinal manipulation for sciatica and opioid-related adverse events: A retrospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 20(1), e0317663. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317663
2. Rodine, R. J., & Aker, P. (2010). Trigeminal neuralgia and chiropractic care: A case report. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 54(3), 177–186.
3. Santilli V., Beghi E., Finucci S. — Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion (Spine J. 2006)