Pinched Nerve Treatment in Bartlett, TN
Ease the Pressure, Get Back to Living
Understanding Nerve Compression
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve happens when nearby tissue, such as a bulging disc, a bone spur or tight, swollen soft tissue, presses on a nerve root as it leaves the spine. Clinicians call this radiculopathy. In the neck it is cervical radiculopathy, and in the low back it is lumbar radiculopathy, which many people know as sciatica.
When a nerve is compressed, the pain often does not stay where the problem is. You may feel a sharp or burning line of pain running from your neck into your shoulder blade and arm, or from your low back into your buttock and leg, along with numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling in your hand or foot.
Many patients tell us the hardest part is how unpredictable it feels: fine one minute, then a jolt of pain when they turn their head, sit too long or bend to pick something up. At Worthington Chiropractic, our pinched nerve treatment in Bartlett, TN starts with finding exactly which nerve is irritated and why, so care can target the source instead of only masking symptoms.
Table of Contents
- 01 Why a Pinched Nerve Happens
- 02 Neck vs. Low Back Nerve Compression
- 03 What Raises Your Risk of a Pinched Nerve?
- 04 Why Choose Worthington Chiropractic for Pinched Nerve Care in Bartlett, TN
- 05 Treatment Options Comparison
- 06 You May Have a Pinched Nerve If...
- 07 Related Services
- 08 Frequently Asked Questions
- 09 Scientific References
The Science
Why a Pinched Nerve Happens
Your spine has 31 pairs of spinal nerves that exit through small openings between the vertebrae called foramina. These nerves carry signals for sensation and muscle strength to your arms and legs. When the space around a nerve root narrows, even a few millimeters of pressure can irritate it. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that disc problems and age-related changes are common reasons nerves become compressed.
In younger adults, a herniated or bulging disc is the most frequent cause: the soft inner material pushes outward and crowds the nerve root. In middle-aged and older adults, disc height loss and bone spurs from arthritis can gradually narrow the foramina and create the same squeeze.
Compression is only part of the story. An irritated disc also releases inflammatory chemicals that sensitize the nerve, which is why symptoms can flare even when pressure has not changed. Protective muscle spasm around the area can then add tension and limit movement, keeping the cycle going.
Deeper Understanding
Neck vs. Low Back Nerve Compression
Where a nerve is pinched determines where you feel it. Cervical radiculopathy, most often at the C5 to C7 levels, can cause pain between the shoulder blades and down the arm, tingling in specific fingers and weakness when gripping or lifting. It often shows up alongside neck pain in Bartlett, TN and stiffness when turning your head.
Lumbar radiculopathy, usually at the L4 to S1 levels, can send pain through the buttock and down the back or side of the leg, sometimes to the foot. Sitting, coughing or sneezing may make it worse because these raise pressure on the disc.
The pattern of numbness, reflex changes and muscle strength helps Dr. Worthington identify the involved nerve level during your exam. On-site X-rays, when needed, show alignment, disc spacing and arthritic changes, and help rule out problems that call for a different type of care.
Contributing Factors
What Raises Your Risk of a Pinched Nerve?
Identifying Your Triggers
Disc Changes
A bulging or herniated disc can push into the space where a nerve root exits the spine, especially in the neck and low back.
Age-Related Wear
Disc height loss and bone spurs from spinal arthritis can slowly narrow the openings nerves pass through.
Posture and Screen Time
Long hours with your head forward over a phone or laptop load the lower neck and can irritate the nerves that serve the arms.
Repetitive Strain
Jobs or hobbies with heavy lifting, twisting or overhead reaching place repeated stress on discs and joints.
Injury or Accident
Car accidents, falls and sports collisions can injure discs and soft tissue, leading to swelling around a nerve.
Extra Body Weight
Added load on the spine increases pressure on the lumbar discs and can contribute to low back nerve irritation.
Why Worthington
Why Choose Worthington Chiropractic for Pinched Nerve Care in Bartlett, TN
Expert Care in Bartlett
Thorough Nerve Exam
We check reflexes, strength, sensation and movement, with on-site X-rays when needed, to find the irritated nerve level.
Triton 6M Decompression
Our computer-controlled Triton 6M table delivers gentle, non-surgical decompression for both neck and low back discs.
Gentle Technique Options
Dr. Worthington uses Cox Flexion Distraction, Diversified, Thompson and more, choosing what suits your spine and comfort.
Trusted by Neighbors
Named a 2025 Memphis Most winner by The Commercial Appeal, with nearly 300 five-star Google reviews.
Rehab Certified
Certified in cervical, thoracic and lumbar rehabilitation, so corrective exercise is part of your plan from the start.
Walk-Ins Welcome
Open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM on Stage Road in Bartlett, with Cherry and CareCredit financing available.
Treatment Options Comparison
Is This You?
You May Have a Pinched Nerve If...
Recognizing When to Seek Help
Radiating Arm Pain
Sharp or burning pain travels from your neck into your shoulder, arm or hand, often on one side.
Shooting Leg Pain
Pain runs from your low back through your buttock and down your leg, sometimes past the knee.
Numbness or Tingling
Your fingers or toes feel numb, prickly or like they have fallen asleep, even when you have not been still.
Weak Grip or Foot
You drop things more often, struggle to open jars, or notice your foot catching or feeling weak when you walk.
Position-Based Flares
Turning your head, looking up, sitting a long time or bending forward sets off a jolt of pain.
Night Discomfort
You wake up with arm or leg symptoms and have trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position.
Treatments
Related Services
Non-surgical care options that may help relieve nerve pressure.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Gentle, computer-controlled traction on the Triton 6M to ease disc pressure and nerve pain.
Learn More
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise, hands-on spinal adjustments that restore alignment, ease pain and help you move freely.
Learn More 
Prenatal Chiropractic
Gentle, pregnancy-safe adjustments for back, hip and pelvic comfort as your body changes.
Learn More Your Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pinched Nerves
How long does a pinched nerve take to heal?
Many pinched nerves improve within several weeks with conservative care, though recovery time depends on the cause, the nerve level and how long symptoms have been present. Disc-related cases can take longer. We track your strength and sensation at each visit so your plan can be adjusted as you improve.
Can a chiropractor help with a pinched nerve?
Yes, many patients find conservative chiropractic care helpful for a pinched nerve. After a thorough exam, we may use gentle adjustments to improve joint motion and spinal decompression to reduce disc pressure. If your exam shows signs that need a medical specialist, we will tell you and help coordinate a referral.
What does spinal decompression feel like for a pinched nerve?
Most patients describe decompression as a gentle, rhythmic stretch. You lie comfortably on our Triton 6M table while it applies slow, computer-controlled traction to your neck or low back. It should not be painful, and many people find it relaxing. We adjust settings to your comfort and response.
Is numbness in my hand or foot a sign of a pinched nerve?
It can be. Numbness or tingling that follows a line down the arm or leg often points to an irritated nerve root in the neck or low back. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so a hands-on exam that checks reflexes, strength and sensation is the best way to find the source.
When is a pinched nerve an emergency?
Go to the emergency room if you lose bladder or bowel control, develop numbness in the groin or inner thighs, have rapidly worsening weakness in an arm or leg, or develop symptoms after a serious fall or accident. These signs need urgent medical evaluation before any chiropractic care.
What can I do at home to ease a pinched nerve?
Gentle movement usually helps more than strict bed rest. Short walks, avoiding long periods of sitting, taking screen breaks and sleeping in a supported position can reduce irritation. Ice or heat may ease discomfort. We also teach specific exercises during your visits so you can support recovery between appointments.
How do I get started with pinched nerve treatment in Bartlett?
Call (901) 519-7777 or book online. Your first visit includes a consultation, a full chiropractic exam, X-rays if needed and your first adjustment. Mention the special when scheduling. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and walk-ins are welcome.
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8AM to 6PM
- Phone
- (901) 519-7777
Ready to Feel Better?
Schedule Your Appointment
Scientific References
- Iyer et al., Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. (2016). Cervical radiculopathy review covering causes, presentation and conservative and surgical management. PMID: 27250042.
- Radhakrishnan et al., Brain. (1994). Epidemiology of cervical radiculopathy in a population-based study from Rochester, Minnesota, finding disc protrusion and spondylosis as common causes. PMID: 8186959.
- Tarulli et al., Neurologic Clinics. (2007). Lumbosacral radiculopathy review covering typical symptoms, nerve root levels and evaluation. PMID: 17445735.
- Thoomes et al., The Clinical Journal of Pain. (2013). The effectiveness of conservative treatment for patients with cervical radiculopathy, a systematic review. PMID: 23446070.
- Vanti et al., Physical Therapy. (2021). Systematic review and meta-analysis of mechanical traction for lumbar radiculopathy. PMID: 33382419.