Countless patients seeking a chiropractor in McKinney have a pinched or compressed nerve. And notably, many of them wonder if this health issue might be the reason for slightly worrying symptoms like chest pain. As you might already know, chest pain usually warrants emergency care due to the threat of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. 

However, studies found that some patients suffer from non-cardiac chest pain. These stem from many things ranging from heartburn and stress to musculoskeletal injuries. They can also occur because of compressed nerve roots in the neck and collarbones. Let’s help you trace the connection and determine the best course of action to take.

 

Pinched Nerves and Chest Pain: A Quick Overview

Pinching or compression of the nerve roots is a fairly common health complaint in the country. It stems from whiplash injuries, degenerative disc diseases, physical trauma, and poor posture. The pressure or force from traumatic events can dislodge bones from their normal alignment, causing them to press onto highly sensitive tissues like muscle fibers and nerve roots. 

Notably, most nerve-pinching cases affect movable body parts like the neck, shoulders, and arms. And doctors diagnose them according to the specific parts that experience landmark symptoms of nerve compression, such as: 

• Searing pain
• Numbness or decreased sensation
• Pins and needles sensation 
• Reduced flexibility or range of motion

Besides movable body parts such as those enumerated above, nerve compression or pinching can also affect the chest. Doctors refer to this as thoracic radiculopathy.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerves, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

Thoracic Radiculopathy: A Non-Cardiac Chest Pain Cause

Thoracic radiculopathy or nerve pinching in the thoracic region of the spine (T1-T12 bones) can cause radiating pain from the back to the chest. It’s a rare form of nerve pinching that usually stems from disc herniation or bulging discs. However, there are some instances when it traces its roots to neck bone misalignments. 

If you suspect having thoracic radiculopathy, you might find it helpful to seek a physician, therapist, or chiropractor in McKinney. This way, you can tap into non-surgical or surgical methods to ease the pressure on the affected nerve root. Otherwise, the pressure on the tissue increases your risk of permanent nerve damage. 

Additionally, you must avoid or limit activities that can worsen the injury. These include the following: 

• Tilting your head to check your mobile device 
• Sitting for long hours without stretching your body
• Lifting heavy objects without observing proper posture
• Engaging in high-impact sports or physical activities
• Getting too little rest at night
• Eating products that you are sensitive to

 

Other Causes of Chest Pain That Might Warrant Emergency Care

While some cases of chest pain do not require urgent medical attention, there are others that you need to be extra wary of. Hence, you should avoid assuming that you don’t need help. As much as possible, you should avoid self-medicating and self-diagnosing. Instead, you should head straight to your doctor or call for emergency care.  

Chest pain can indicate various underlying health concerns. These include respiratory or cardiac problems like pneumonia and heart attack. It might also indicate a rib fracture if you recently had a car-related accident or injury. It’s a good idea to look for the most common red flags of chest pain, such as the following: 

• Breathing problems
• Unexplainable tightening sensation in the chest 
• Sudden dizziness or spinning sensation
• Rapid heart beating
• Acid reflux
• Fever
• Trouble swallowing food or water
• Nausea and cold sweats
• Neck, stomach, or jaw pain 
• Confusion or disorientation
• Ashen color of the skin

Ruling out emergency causes of chest pain is your topmost priority. The sooner you can pinpoint the root cause, the better your chance of experiencing relief and managing your risks. Notably, chest pain patients have to undergo certain diagnostic tests like electrocardiograms, X-rays, and blood tests. Doctors might also require a CT scan to detect blood clots in the lungs (a possible cause of chest pain). If your chest pain stems from a heart-related issue like angina or heart attack, you might undergo additional diagnostic procedures like a stress test and an angiogram. Conversely, if your chest pain doesn’t stem from a cardiac or pulmonary problem, you might be referred to a physical therapist or chiropractor in McKinney.

A Chiropractor In Mckinney Can Help You Experience Relief And Improve Tissue Healing

If you are 100 percent certain that your pain doesn’t warrant emergency care, then you should head to a chiropractor in McKinney like Dr. Crowder. This you can determine if you need to receive upper cervical chiropractic care. As we always remind our patients, neck bone misalignments can trigger unpleasant health concerns, including non-cardiac chest pain. 

Misaligned neck bones pressure the tissues around them and force other vertebral bones, such as the T1 and T12, to move out of place. This increases the risks for nerve pinching in several areas around the spine and the body parts proximal to the displaced bones. 

Additionally, cervical spine misalignments affect how your brain communicates with the damaged or injured body parts, prolonging your agony and limiting your tissues ability to heal quickly. Naturally, by resolving the source of postural imbalance, you can cancel out problems like nerve pinching and non-cardiac chest pain. It will also boost your body’s vitality and improve overall nerve function.

Suppose you suspect neck bone misalignment or spot common signs of cervical subluxation such as neck pain and unlevelled gait and shoulders. In that case, we strongly recommend visiting Dr. Terry Crowder’s practice, Crowder Specific Chiropractic. You may book your appointment by visiting our online contact page.

 

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at (972) 562-0674. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.