Auto Accidents and Pinched Nerves: Can a Chiropractor Help in Portland, Oregon?

Pinched Nerves after a car accident, it’s common to notice new aches and pains appearing days or even weeks later. One of the most frequent and overlooked injuries following an auto accident is a pinched nerve. While emergency care focuses on ruling out fractures or life-threatening injuries, nerve compression often develops gradually as inflammation, swelling, and spinal misalignment increase.

If you are experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness after a car accident, chiropractic care can play a critical role in diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of your symptoms.

What Is a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues—such as muscles, ligaments, discs, or vertebrae—apply excessive pressure to a nerve. This compression interferes with the nerve’s ability to send signals properly between the brain and body.

Pinched nerves most commonly occur in the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back), but they can also affect the shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs, or feet.

Common pinched nerve symptoms include:

• Sharp, aching, or burning pain
• Numbness or reduced sensation
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Muscle weakness
• Pain that radiates into the arms or legs

Without proper treatment, nerve compression can worsen over time and potentially lead to chronic pain or long-term nerve damage.

How Auto Accidents Cause Pinched Nerve

 

Car accidents place extreme force on the body, even at low speeds. Sudden deceleration and impact can cause injuries that compress or irritate nerves.

Common auto-accident causes of pinched nerves include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the leading causes of nerve compression after rear-end and side-impact collisions. Rapid forward-and-back motion of the neck strains muscles and ligaments, leading to inflammation that compresses nearby nerves.

Spinal Misalignment

The force of an accident can shift vertebrae out of alignment. Even small misalignments can narrow the space where nerves exit the spine, resulting in pain and neurological symptoms.

Herniated or Bulging Discs

Auto accidents can cause spinal discs to bulge or herniate, pressing directly against nerve roots. This often leads to radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.

Soft Tissue Inflammation

Muscle and ligament injuries commonly swell after trauma. This swelling can place additional pressure on surrounding nerves, especially in the neck and lower back.

Can a Chiropractor Help with a Pinched Nerve After a Car Accident?

Yes. Chiropractic care is one of the most effective non-invasive treatments for pinched nerves caused by auto accidents. Chiropractors focus on restoring spinal alignment, reducing inflammation, and relieving pressure on affected nerves.

Chiropractic Treatments for Pinched Nerves

At ProCare Chiropractic Center, treatment plans are customized based on the location and severity of nerve compression.

Spinal Adjustments

Gentle chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine, improving joint movement and reducing pressure on compressed nerves. Restoring alignment also helps prevent further irritation.

Therapeutic Massage

Massage therapy relaxes tight muscles surrounding the affected nerve, improves circulation, and reduces inflammation. This allows oxygen and nutrients to reach injured tissue and promotes faster healing.

Corrective Exercises

Targeted exercises strengthen supporting muscles, improve posture, and stabilize the spine. These exercises reduce the likelihood of recurring nerve compression and support long-term recovery.

Inflammation Reduction

By improving joint mobility and circulation, chiropractic care naturally reduces inflammation—one of the primary contributors to nerve pain after auto accidents.

Why Early Chiropractic Care Matters

Pinched nerve symptoms often worsen when left untreated. Early chiropractic evaluation after a car accident can:

• Prevent chronic nerve pain
• Reduce recovery time
• Restore normal movement and strength
• Help avoid invasive treatments or surgery
• Provide proper documentation for insurance claims

The sooner nerve compression is addressed, the better the long-term outcome.

Auto Accident Chiropractic Care in Portland, Oregon

At ProCare Chiropractic Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries caused by car accidents, including pinched nerves, whiplash, and spinal misalignment.

Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive auto accident evaluations
• Drug-free, non-invasive treatment
• Personalized recovery plans
• Clear documentation for insurance and injury claims

Schedule Your Chiropractic Evaluation Today

Auto accident injuries are not always obvious at first. If you’re experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness after a collision, a pinched nerve may be the cause.

Address: 10915 SE Stark St. Suite 200, Portland, OR 97216
Book: Online Booking
Phone: (503) 899-0707

Schedule your chiropractic evaluation today and take the first step toward relieving pinched nerve pain and restoring your health.