Headaches & Nerve Pain
Peripheral Nerve Entrapment
Symptoms produced where a nerve is compressed along its course, away from the spine.
Also called: Entrapment neuropathy, Entrapped nerve.
Nerves pass through narrow tunnels and beneath or between muscles as they travel from the spine toward the hands and feet. Compression at any of those points can produce pain, numbness, or weakness limited to that nerve's specific territory.
Which nerve is involved, and where along its course the compression is occurring, varies a great deal from person to person and depends on anatomy, repetitive movement patterns, and other factors.
Why this matters
Because the symptom is often felt in the hand or foot, the actual site of compression can be some distance away, which is why people sometimes treat the wrong area before the real source is identified.
Repetitive postures at work, certain sleeping positions, and prior injury near the entrapment site are common contributing factors worth reviewing in the history.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Tracing symptoms along the entire length of a nerve, rather than only where it is felt, is part of a standard neurological screening and helps locate where along the path the problem sits.
Reflex, strength, and sensory testing at multiple points help distinguish a single entrapment site from irritation happening at more than one point along the same nerve.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Headaches — Headaches have many drivers. Understanding which ones apply to you is the point of the evaluation.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
- Cervicogenic Headache — Headache arising from structures in the neck.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.