Pinched Nerve Treatment in West Omaha
If you have shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness running down an arm or leg, that’s a pinched nerve. We find what’s pressing on it and take the pressure off.
- ★★★★★ 5.0 Google (350)
- Best of Omaha
- 18 years in West Omaha
- Most insurance accepted
- Same-week appointments
- BBB A+ rated
What a pinched nerve actually is
A nerve gets “pinched” when something is pressing on it or irritating it along its path. The pain you feel isn’t where the problem actually is, it’s where the nerve travels to. The most common spots:
- Neck (cervical radiculopathy), symptoms shoot down the arm into the hand. Often caused by disc issues, joint dysfunction, or muscle compression.
- Low back (lumbar radiculopathy), symptoms shoot down the leg. This is usually what people mean by sciatica.
- Shoulder (thoracic outlet syndrome), nerve compression in the space between the collarbone and first rib, causing arm symptoms.
- Wrist (carpal tunnel), the median nerve being compressed at the wrist, causing hand numbness and weakness.
- Elbow (cubital tunnel), the ulnar nerve being compressed at the inner elbow, causing pinky-side hand numbness.
Common symptoms of nerve compression:
- Shooting, burning, or electric pain
- Numbness or tingling in a specific pattern
- Weakness in specific muscles
- Symptoms that change with neck or body position
For a deeper look, read our full guide to pinched nerve causes, symptoms, and when to see a chiropractor.
How we treat pinched nerves
The key is finding WHAT is pressing on the nerve. The treatment varies by cause.
Spinal adjustments for nerve compression caused by joint dysfunction or restricted segments. Restoring proper motion often takes pressure off the nerve immediately.
Disc-specific work when a herniated or bulging disc is the culprit. See our disc issues page for more.
Dry needling when muscle compression is the cause, common with thoracic outlet, piriformis syndrome, and other muscle-driven entrapments.
Movement coaching for the activity patterns that may be contributing to the compression (sitting posture, sleeping position, repetitive motion).
When pinched nerve symptoms are an emergency
- Sudden, progressive weakness in a limb
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Saddle numbness (groin/inner thighs)
- Symptoms after significant trauma
Any of those, go to the ER or call your primary care, not a chiropractor.
A pinched nerve in the neck vs the low back
“Pinched nerve” covers two very different problems, and knowing which one you have points to the fix.
In the neck, a pinched nerve usually sends pain, numbness, or tingling down into the shoulder, arm, or hand. It often comes with a stiff, sore neck and can even feed headaches. If your symptoms are in your arm, this is likely where it is coming from. See neck pain and headaches.
In the low back, a pinched nerve tends to send pain down into the buttock and leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. When the sciatic nerve is the one being pinched, people call it sciatica. See sciatica.
The good news is the same for both: taking pressure off the nerve, calming the irritation, and getting the area moving again usually settles the symptoms without drugs or surgery.
Frequently asked questions
How long until a pinched nerve heals?
Most respond within 4 to 8 weeks of conservative care. Cases involving disc issues often take longer (8 to 16 weeks) because the disc itself takes time to heal once the pressure’s off.
Will it come back?
If we only treat the immediate compression without addressing what created it (posture, movement patterns, weak stability), recurrence is common. Part of the treatment plan is identifying and changing those drivers.
Do I need an MRI?
Usually no. The neurological exam at your first visit tells us where the compression is and how severe it is. If your case isn’t responding or there are progressive neurological signs, we’ll refer for imaging.
Can a pinched nerve cause permanent damage?
If left untreated long enough, yes. Persistent nerve compression can lead to lasting weakness, numbness, or pain patterns. Most cases that are treated within a few months resolve fully. That’s the case for treating it sooner rather than waiting it out.
Related reading
Get the nerve pain looked at
Nerve symptoms that have been around for weeks usually don’t resolve on their own. The first visit tells you what’s actually compressing the nerve and how to take the pressure off.