Pinched Nerve Relief — Burnaby BC
Numbness, Tingling, or Shooting Pain? That's a Pinched Nerve — and It's Fixable.
A pinched nerve means something in your spine is compressing a nerve root. The pain, numbness, and weakness you're feeling in your arm or leg are signals — not the source. At Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby, we find and fix the spinal compression causing your nerve symptoms.
85
nerve roots exit the spinal column — we assess which one is affected
Precise
Thermal scanning identifies exactly where nerve irritation is occurring
Drug-Free
Structural correction — not just pain management
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
How a Misaligned Vertebra Compresses a Nerve — and What Follows
The term "pinched nerve" describes what happens when a spinal nerve root is compressed, irritated, or inflamed at the point where it exits the spinal column through a small opening called the intervertebral foramen. This compression can come from a misaligned vertebra that has narrowed the foraminal space, a bulging or herniated disc pressing against the nerve root, or inflammation from surrounding joint irritation.
When a cervical nerve root (in the neck) is compressed, the symptoms travel down the arm — into the shoulder, elbow, forearm, hand, or individual fingers. When a lumbar nerve root is compressed, symptoms travel into the buttock, leg, calf, and foot. The specific pattern of your symptoms is a diagnostic map that points directly to which spinal level is involved.
At Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby, our Gonstead system uses this symptom map — combined with X-ray, thermal scanning, and hands-on assessment — to identify precisely which nerve root is compressed and which vertebral or disc structure is causing it.
Shooting or burning pain that travels down the arm or leg
Numbness or pins-and-needles in the hand, fingers, foot, or toes
Muscle weakness — difficulty gripping, lifting, or bearing weight
Pain that worsens with certain movements — especially turning the head or bending forward
Relief with certain positions — such as raising the arm overhead or lying flat
The Gonstead Approach
Removing the Pressure — Not Just Managing the Symptoms
The most effective treatment for a pinched nerve is to remove the source of compression. The Gonstead system's thermal scanning technology identifies which nerve roots are irritated based on temperature asymmetry along the spine — often detecting nerve compression before patients are even aware of the specific level involved. Combined with X-ray analysis and palpation findings, this gives us a precise target for correction.
Nerve Root Thermal Scanning
Infrared thermal scanning detects temperature asymmetries at each spinal level — a direct indicator of nerve root irritation. We map exactly which levels are affected before making any adjustment.
Foraminal Space Analysis
Weight-bearing X-rays allow us to assess the intervertebral foramen at each spinal level — identifying the specific disc or vertebral structure narrowing the space through which your nerve exits.
Targeted Adjustments
Specific Gonstead adjustments restore the compressed vertebra or disc to its correct position, reopening the foraminal space and removing the mechanical pressure from the affected nerve root.
Common Questions
Pinched Nerve FAQs
How long does a pinched nerve take to heal with chiropractic care?
Most acute pinched nerve cases begin improving noticeably within 4–8 visits when the source of compression is identified and addressed. Chronic cases — where the nerve has been compressed for months or years — typically take longer to resolve as nerve healing itself requires time after the mechanical pressure is removed. We'll give you a realistic timeline after your initial examination.
Is it safe to have a chiropractic adjustment when I have a pinched nerve?
Yes — when performed precisely. The Gonstead approach uses specific, controlled adjustments targeted to the exact vertebral level involved in your nerve compression. We do not generically manipulate the spine. Every adjustment is preceded by a thorough assessment that confirms the target and direction of correction before treatment begins.
Should I get an MRI before seeing a chiropractor for a pinched nerve?
An MRI is not required before your initial chiropractic exam — our clinical assessment and X-rays give us sufficient information to begin care in most cases. If you already have MRI results, bring them — they provide valuable additional detail.
Related Conditions
Numbness and Tingling Are Your Body's Distress Signal. Don't Ignore It.
Book your initial exam at Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby. We'll identify precisely which nerve is compressed and where — and give you a clear path to relief.
Located at 3961 Hastings Street #101, Burnaby BC · Open Mon–Sat · No referral required