Pinched Nerve Treatment in Towson
Pinched nerve relief in Towson, MD. Dr. Abosh treats nerve compression in the neck and low back with adjustments, soft tissue treatment, and rehab.
Chiropractic care for pinched nerve
Get to the root of your pinched nerve
Also known as: Nerve Impingement, Radiculopathy, Compressed Nerve
If you're dealing with sharp, radiating pain — or numbness and tingling that shoots down your arm or leg — a pinched nerve is likely the culprit. It's one of the most common conditions Dr. Paul Abosh treats for patients throughout Towson and Greater Baltimore. Whether the compression is in your neck, low back, or somewhere in between, the goal is always the same — relieve the pressure on that nerve with a clear plan that fixes the cause, not just the symptom.
Symptoms of pinched nerve
- ✓Sharp, shooting, or burning pain that radiates into an arm or leg
- ✓Numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation along the nerve path
- ✓Weakness in a hand, arm, foot, or leg
- ✓Pain that worsens with certain positions — like looking down or sitting for long periods
- ✓Muscle fatigue or difficulty gripping objects
- ✓A dull ache at the neck or low back where the nerve originates
Common causes
- Bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root
- Bone spurs from spinal arthritis narrowing the nerve canal
- Tight or inflamed muscles compressing a nerve (as in piriformis syndrome)
- Poor posture and forward-head position that load the cervical discs
- Repetitive strain or overuse injuries at work or in sport
- Auto-accident or sports trauma that shifts spinal alignment
- Degenerative disc changes that reduce space in the foramen
Our approach
How we treat pinched nerve in Towson
Thorough exam
We take a detailed history and perform orthopedic, neurological, and movement testing to identify exactly which nerve is compressed and what structure is causing it — and refer for imaging only when it will change your care.
A clear, personalized plan
You will be given a plain-English explanation of what we found and a specific, time-bound plan — not open-ended treatment. We set honest expectations and tell you if your case needs a specialist.
Gentle treatment & rehab
We combine spinal adjustments, soft-tissue treatment, and corrective exercise to relieve nerve pressure now and rebuild the stability that keeps compression from returning.
The basics
Understanding pinched nerve
A pinched nerve happens when surrounding tissue — a bulging disc, a bone spur, a tight muscle, or an inflamed joint — presses on a nerve root as it exits the spine. In the neck (cervical spine), that pressure typically sends pain, tingling, or weakness into the shoulder, arm, or hand. In the low back (lumbar spine), it usually radiates into the hip, buttock, or leg — a pattern most people recognize as sciatica. The medical terms radiculopathy and nerve impingement describe the same basic problem from different angles.
The encouraging part is that nerve compression responds well to conservative care when caught early. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper joint motion and reduce the mechanical irritation driving the compression, while gentle flexion-distraction therapy creates space around the disc and nerve root. The key is an accurate exam that pinpoints exactly where the nerve is being compressed and why — so your care plan targets the source instead of chasing symptoms around.
New Patients Welcome
New patients welcome — book your first visit today
Your first visit is all about you — a one-on-one consultation, a thorough exam, and a clear, plain-language explanation of how we can help, plus a care plan built around your goals.
Types of pinched nerves we treat
Nerve compression can occur at several points along the spine, and the symptoms depend on exactly where the pressure is. We regularly help Towson-area patients with:
- Cervical radiculopathy (neck) — a compressed nerve root in the neck that sends pain, numbness, or tingling into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Often related to a disc herniation or bone spur at C5–C7. Responds well to gentle cervical adjustments and rehabilitative exercises. See also: neck pain and arm pain.
- Lumbar radiculopathy (low back) — nerve compression in the lumbar spine that radiates into the hip, buttock, or leg. The most recognized form is sciatica, which follows the path of the sciatic nerve. Flexion-distraction and targeted adjustments relieve the pressure.
- Disc-related nerve compression — when a bulging or herniated disc is the culprit, spinal manipulation and flexion-distraction is often the most effective way to gently retract the disc material away from the nerve root. See our disc injury page for more on how we approach this.
- Foraminal stenosis — narrowing of the opening (foramen) where the nerve exits the spine, often from bone spurs or degenerative disc changes. Adjustments and targeted rehab slow the progression and restore as much space as possible.
- Muscle-related nerve entrapment — a tight piriformis or scalene muscle can compress a nearby nerve even without disc involvement. Soft-tissue work and corrective exercise are first-line here.
Your exam tells us which pattern fits — so your plan targets the actual source of compression.
When to see a chiropractor in Towson
Early care usually means faster, more complete relief from nerve compression. Book an exam if you notice:
- Shooting, burning, or radiating pain in an arm or leg that has lasted more than a few days
- Persistent numbness or tingling in the fingers, hand, foot, or toes
- Weakness when gripping objects or climbing stairs
- Symptoms that get worse with sitting, bending forward, or looking down
- Nerve pain that started after a car accident, fall, or heavy lifting
- Recurring episodes of nerve pain that clear up briefly and then return
If you notice rapidly progressive weakness in a limb, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek emergency care right away — these are red flags for a more serious spinal emergency that needs prompt evaluation.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is about 45–60 minutes and focused entirely on understanding what is compressing your nerve before we treat it. We’ll:
- Listen to your story — when symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and exactly where the radiating pain or numbness travels.
- Examine thoroughly — orthopedic and neurological testing (reflexes, sensation, muscle strength) to map the nerve distribution and pinpoint the level of compression.
- Explain what we found — at your second visit, usually scheduled the very next day, we explain what we found in plain English, with a specific, time-bound care plan and honest expectations for recovery — including a referral if your case warrants specialist evaluation.
- Start care when appropriate — many patients receive their first gentle adjustment at this second visit.
You’re never locked into open-ended treatment — just a clear plan with a real finish line.
Pinched nerve relief
Pain medication can dull the ache of a pinched nerve for a few hours, but it does nothing to address the disc herniation, bone spur, or tight muscle that is compressing the nerve in the first place. Most patients with nerve compression improve significantly with conservative chiropractic care. At Towson Integrative Health, we combine gentle chiropractic adjustments, flexion-distraction, and corrective exercise into one coordinated plan — relieving the pressure now while rebuilding the stability that prevents it from returning. If your exam ever reveals that you need imaging or a specialist consultation, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate that care right away.
Why Towson-area patients choose Towson Integrative Health
Patients from Towson, Lutherville, Timonium, Parkville, and Pikesville trust Towson Integrative Health with nerve pain because we treat the compression, not just the symptoms. Dr. Paul Abosh takes the time to map exactly where and why the nerve is being irritated, then builds a plan specific to your spine — not a one-size-fits-all protocol. Whether you’re dealing with sciatica shooting down your leg, a disc injury pressing on a cervical root, or neck pain that radiates into your arm, we use the gentlest effective approach and screen honestly for anything that needs specialist care.
Ready to get started? See what to expect on your first visit, then book an appointment online in under a minute.
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve pinched nerve
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Towson, MD that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back, neck, and joint pain at the source.
Learn more →Physical Therapy
Personalized corrective exercise and rehab in Towson strengthen weak joints, correct posture, and keep back pain, neck pain, and other joint pain from coming back.
Learn more →Flexion-Distraction
Gentle flexion-distraction therapy in Towson, MD — a hands-on, non-invasive technique that decompresses the lower spine to relieve low back, disc and sciatic pain.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Towson
Patient reviews
What our Towson patients say
“Great experience so far has been a month and I am doing better.”
“So knowledgeable , accommodating and super friendly! I highly recommend this office. They have cured me of my feet issues and I will return here for any of my body issues!”
“I have made 100% recovery from my chiropractic sessions. I am back to working out and teaching my exercise classes.”
Pinched Nerve FAQ
What causes a pinched nerve in the neck or back?
The most common causes are a bulging or herniated disc, a bone spur from spinal arthritis, or a tight muscle that compresses a nerve root as it exits the spine. Poor posture, repetitive strain, and old injuries can all contribute. Our exam identifies which structure is doing the compressing so we can target it directly.
Can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve?
Yes — chiropractic care is one of the most effective conservative treatments for nerve compression. Adjustments restore joint motion and reduce the mechanical irritation driving the problem, while flexion-distraction therapy gently creates space around the disc and nerve root.
How many visits will I need for a pinched nerve?
It depends on how long you've had it, what's compressing the nerve, and how far the symptoms have spread. After your exam, Dr. Abosh gives you a specific, time-bound care plan with a realistic endpoint — not open-ended visits with no finish line.
Will my insurance cover pinched nerve treatment?
We accept many major insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay options. Share your coverage details before your first visit and we'll verify your benefits so there are no surprises.
Is chiropractic treatment for a pinched nerve safe?
Yes. We screen every patient thoroughly before beginning care. If your exam suggests there are red flags, or if you have progressive weakness — we'll refer you to the appropriate specialist rather than proceeding with manual care.
Do I need an MRI before seeing a chiropractor?
Not necessarily. Most nerve-compression cases don't require imaging before we can begin care. We screen for red flags on your first visit and order imaging only when it will genuinely change your treatment plan.
How is a pinched nerve different from sciatica?
Sciatica is a specific type of pinched nerve — compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the sacroiliac region through the buttock and down the leg. A pinched nerve is the broader category and can occur in the neck (causing arm symptoms) or anywhere along the spine. See our dedicated page on sciatica for more detail.
When should I go to the ER instead of a chiropractor?
Seek emergency care immediately if you notice rapidly progressive weakness in an arm or leg, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs. These can signal a serious spinal emergency — cauda equina syndrome — that requires prompt surgical evaluation.
Can a pinched nerve go away on its own?
If symptoms have lasted more than a few days, are getting worse, or include weakness, conservative chiropractic care speeds recovery significantly and helps prevent the problem from becoming chronic or causing lasting nerve damage.
Do you treat neck-related pinched nerve pain that goes into the arm?
Absolutely. Cervical radiculopathy — nerve compression in the neck that radiates into the shoulder, arm, or hand — is a common presentation we treat for patients across Towson, Lutherville, Timonium, and Cockeysville. It responds well to gentle cervical adjustments and targeted decompression.
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.