Do you experience numbness, tingling, burning pain, muscle weakness, or an aching sensation that just won’t go away? While many people assume these symptoms are caused by arthritis or muscle tightness alone, the real source may be an irritated or entrapped nerve.
At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, we use Active Release Technique® (ART®) alongside traditional chiropractic care to help identify and treat soft tissue restrictions that may be affecting nerve function and contributing to pain.
Understanding Nerve Entrapment
Nerves travel throughout the body, carrying signals between your brain, spinal cord, muscles, and organs. Along their path, they pass through muscles, fascia, and other connective tissues. When these surrounding structures become tight, inflamed, or injured, they can place pressure on the nerve.
An irritated or compressed nerve may lead to symptoms such as:
- Tingling or “pins and needles”
- Numbness (or lack of sensation to touch)
- Burning or aching pain
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Pain that radiates down an arm or leg
- Reduced mobility or function
Many patients describe intense nerve pain as feeling like a persistent toothache, burning sensation, or electric shock.
What Causes Nerve Entrapment?
Nerve irritation can develop for many reasons, including:
- Repetitive strain from work or sports
- Gardening, painting, or other household activities
- Lifting injuries
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Acute trauma
In some cases, nerves may also become irritated by spinal joint dysfunction, vertebral subluxations, disc bulges, or surrounding muscles and connective tissues that have become tight or developed adhesions.
Common Conditions Associated with Nerve Entrapment
Nerve compression is associated with a wide range of conditions, including:
- Sciatica
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Tingling in the hands or fingers
- Tingling or numbness in the feet
- Arm pain
- Leg pain
- Certain types of headaches and neck pain
- Spinal joint dysfunction
- Vertebral subluxation (misalignment of the spine)
- Disc bulge
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Plantar fascitis
Because nerves can become compressed at multiple points along their pathway, identifying the true source of symptoms is essential.
How Active Release Technique® Can Help
Active Release Technique® (ART®) is a hands-on soft tissue treatment system designed to identify and address restrictions (tightness and adhesions) in muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
When treating nerve-related problems, ART uses precisely applied tension combined with guided movement to help:
- Reduce soft tissue restrictions around nerves
- Improve tissue mobility
- Restore normal movement between muscles and nerves
- Decrease pressure on irritated nerves
- Reduce nerve swelling
- Restore proper blood flow to nerves
- Improve overall function
Rather than focusing only on where symptoms are felt, ART aims to locate and treat the structures that may be contributing to nerve irritation. Nerves can be pinched at multiple sites, and all need to be released to see resolution of symptoms.
Why Early Treatment Matters
When nerve irritation persists, it can lead to ongoing discomfort and functional limitations. Depending on the underlying cause, prolonged compression may contribute to:
- Chronic pain
- Persistent numbness
- Muscle weakness (sometimes permanent if not treated early)
- Decreased mobility
- Difficulty performing daily activities
Early assessment and appropriate treatment may help improve recovery and reduce the risk of long-term issues.
Continuing Education to Better Serve Our Patients
At Lake Street Chiropractic, we’re committed to staying current with advanced treatment techniques.
Dr. Geron Cowherd, DC, recently completed three days of nerve treatment protocols at Active Release Technique® seminar in Orlando, Florida. Reviewing 90 protocols involving nerve pathways throughout the upper and lower limbs as well as the head and neck. This continuing education reinforces techniques used to assess and treat soft tissue restrictions that may affect nerves throughout the body including the median, radial, ulnar, sciatic, and femoral nerves.
Ongoing education allows us to continue providing evidence-informed care for patients experiencing nerve-related symptoms.
Is Active Release Technique® Right for You?
If you’re experiencing:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Sciatica
- Carpal tunnel symptoms
- Persistent elbow pain
- Neck pain with arm symptoms
- Unexplained nerve-related discomfort
An assessment may help determine whether soft tissue restrictions or nerve entrapment are contributing to your condition.
At Lake Street Chiropractic in St. Catharines, Ontario, we combine traditional chiropractic care with Active Release Technique® to help patients move better and address the underlying causes of pain whenever possible.
Checkout another blog from the ART® official website: Top 5 Injuries Commonly Treated with Active Release Techniques® – where it talks about multipe conditions associated with nerve entrapment!
Book an Assessment
If nerve pain, tingling, or numbness is interfering with your daily life, our team is here to help. Contact Lake Street Chiropractic to schedule an assessment and learn whether Active Release Technique® may be an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
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Lake Street Chiropractic
116 Lake Street, St. Catharines, ON
905-641-0400
