A pinched nerve specialist is a back doctor who focuses their practice on neurological problems and nerve compression conditions. Most pinched nerves are described as situations in which a spinal structure impinges on a nerve root. However, pinched nerves can occur outside of the spinal anatomy as well, such as in the cases of piriformis compression of the sciatic nerve and compression of various tissues of the brachial plexus by the upper back and shoulder muscles. There are a variety of possible explanations for why compressed nerves may occur. It should be known that pinched nerves are certainly one of the most difficult conditions to diagnose accurately and may require drastic treatment when they do exist in the spinal anatomy.
This essay cautions patients that even specialists might make diagnostic mistakes that can spell disaster when seeking corrective treatment for a pinched nerve.
Types of Pinched Nerve Specialists
Specialists can come from many different medical and complementary healthcare backgrounds. Traditional neurologists and neurosurgeons certainly qualify to be called specialists. Their medical focus is nerve-related conditions and no one is better suited to diagnose or treat nerve pain.
Many chiropractors also specialize in pinched nerve conditions. Some chiropractors believe that normal vertebral subluxations can cause nerve impingement, which must be cleared in order to restore a condition of full health.
Finally, there are some acupuncturists who also specialize in treating nerve pain. Many of these doctors believe that nerve problems come from an imbalance in qi energy, making acupuncture the ideal treatment for this condition.
Problems with a Nerve Specialist
Virtually every type of medical specialist will normally look for and diagnose a physical reason for the pain. Common diagnoses include herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. Treatment may be conservative, including physical therapy or symptomatic drugs. Treatment might also involved invasive surgery to correct the actual source of the compression.
Chiropractors will also generally concentrate on these same issues, but will almost always go about treating them using spinal adjustments, possibly supplemented by modern spinal decompression therapy.
Acupuncturists will not image the spine and will almost always blame some general energy imbalance for whatever ails a patient. Treatment will include needling and possibly electrotherapy combined with dietary alteration.
Very few healthcare professionals will consider one the more common sources of chronic idiopathic nerve pain as the true culprit. Oxygen deprivation is most commonly associated with psychosomatic pain mechanisms. Mindbody health problems are almost always incorrectly diagnosed. Remember that pinched nerves should respond well to treatment. If you experience unresponsive nerve pain, there is a good chance that you too are suffering from pain related to oxygen deprivation of the nerve roots in your spine.
Pinched Nerve Specialist Advisory
Any specialist will always look in their own field of expertise for the answer to a pain problem. A nerve specialist will look to the nerves for the causative condition. Unfortunately, with so many back pain scapegoat conditions commonly blamed for creating symptoms, it is difficult to get an accurate diagnosis.
Remember also that specialists treat patients to make a living. Most will try to apply a diagnosis to every patient which they, themselves, can treat. What a shame it would be to refer away all that perfectly good money.
You must consider that the body and mind work together to create all conditions of health and disease. If your diagnosed nerve pain resists treatment, consider the alternative approach offered by knowledge therapy as an alternative solution. There are no financial costs with this path and nothing to risk, including your health and future functionality.
