Question
I have had a chronic pinched nerve in my hip area-lower back region for several months. I have tried several different over the counter medications that have failed to meet my needs.

1) What is the difference between a chiropractor and a acupuncture specialist?

2) and where would I benefit more?

The pinched nerve is more in my muscle than in my spine.

Thank you

Answer
Dawn,

Thanks for the question and I hope I can help.

There are major differences between chiropractic and acupuncture.  Obviously, the acupuncturist is going to practice chinese medicine and utilize acupuncture and herbal supplements, whereas the chiropractor is going to treat you from a mechanical standpoint to remove irritation from the affected nerve. The chiropractor can also use physical therapy, rehabilitation and exercise, and supplementation to help you.  As I practice both chiropractic and acupuncture, I have a bit of an advantage.  I can use one or both to address such problems.  

The first method to use in a case such as yours is definitely chiropractic.  Anytime a nerve is involved, there is irritation on that nerve.  Whether it be compression or stretching of the nerve, chiropractic will work to address the origin of the irritation and correct it.

You need to understand that although you feel the pain in the muscle and not the spine, the nerve is normally compressed or irritated at the spinal level or at the sacroiliac joint.  Nerves normally do not get pinched by muscles as they are both soft tissues. Severe inflammation of an injured muscle can cause nerve symptoms, but most nerve symptoms or pain or numbness or muscle spasm occur along the course of the nerve that is being pressured.

A thorough chiropractic evaluation is in order to determine the cause of your problem.  In your case, I might use acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy to aid in the resolution and recovery from this situation.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please contact me on this site.

God Bless,


Dr. Boss