This post is about Low Back Pain and the Femoral Nerve: Chiropractic Treatment Can Help.  You may have pain that radiates from the back and hip into the legs.  And walking and moving may be difficult. Also, it may present as buttock pain radiating to the groin and knee. Moreover, do you have a “loss of sensation” over the superior (top) and anterior (front) part of the same knee?

If you have pain due to a femoral nerve injury, chiropractic treatment may be your best choice for relief! 

 

How is the Femoral Nerve Injured?

 

The femoral nerve can be injured by “mechanical stressors”, pathological (abnormal), traumatic and metabolic mechanisms.

Firstly, entrapment between muscles in athletes participating in certain sports (e.g. horse back riding) along with hyperextension (excessive backward motion) of the hip joint are mechanical stressors. So entrapment of the femoral nerve happens during long periods of hyperextension or stretching of the nerve as it exits the lumbar plexus (web of nerves). Additionally, it can happen from sudden flexion and extension of the lumbar spine. 

Secondly, child birth can cause a femoral neuropathy (nerve problem that causes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling).  

Thirdly, traumatic femoral injuries can be from a fall.

Fourthly, post-surgical scar/adhesions or a soft tissue congenital (born with it) anatomical variant may be the issue (e.g. iliopsoas variant).

Lastly, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, shingles (Post-Herpetic Neuralgia) or drug abuse can also, through biochemical interactions, alter nerve function and result in neuropathies.

Femoral Nerve Anatomy

The femoral nerve innervates (supplies) the muscles and skin of the hip and thigh. It originates from the lumbar plexus. The lumbar plexus is a complex neural network formed by the lower thoracic (T12) and lumbar (L1-L4) nerve roots. The femoral nerve is formed from the anterior (front) division of spinal nerves L2-L4. In fact, the femoral nerve is the longest branch of the lumbar plexus.

 

Entrapment of the Femoral Nerve

Femoral nerve entrapment may occur due to compression under the inguinal ligament.  The inguinal ligament is the thickened lower border of the aponeurosis (fibrous collagenous connective tissue) of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen.  

As with all peripheral (reside outside your brain and spinal cord) neuropathies, it must be distinguished between a proximal (center of body) or a peripheral nerve problem in order to treat it properly. In other words, distinguishing between the L2-L3 nerve root or a peripheral entrapment of the femoral nerve is important. This diagnosis will be made by your doctor.

Electromyography can usually determine whether the tissue damage is a lumbar root, plexus, or femoral nerve involvement.  However, electromyographic study is unnecessary to start chiropractic treatment.

 

Treatment at Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

Chiropractic manipulative treatment/therapy to the spine and extremities (e.g. limbs) are effective for neuropathy. Our other therapies, such as soft tissue techniques, electric muscle stimulation, ice/ heat therapies and homeopathic consultations provide relief.  Through regular chiropractic visits, you can get pain relief and improve your health without drugs or surgery!

At Meiri Chiropractic we spend the time necessary to examine, diagnose and treat every neuromusculoskeletal condition and various ailments you have.  Chiropractic is a holistic and natural way to not only treat existing conditions, but to keep your body in its best working condition.  We have been offering effective chiropractic care in West Palm Beach since 2006.  Many of our patient reviews note our excellence.  Call us today at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment or to find out more about Low Back Pain and the Femoral Nerve: Chiropractic Treatment Can Help.

 

 

This post is about Shoulder Pain and Long Thoracic Nerve Injury: Chiropractic Treatment Can Help.  Symptoms include pain or discomfort in the shoulder, neck, mid back and scapular region.  Also, weakness can be present in the same areas. Moreover, winging of the scapula medially (towards mid line) can also occur.

Your shoulder elevation will be limited and the scapulohumeral rhythm (coordinated motion of the scapula and humerus experienced during shoulder movement) will be altered.Your shoulder may be painful for days to weeks as in neuritis (inflamed nerve).  And/or it may be subtle as in feeling pressure from a chair/object against the winged scapula. Additionally, winging may not be obvious until several weeks after acute injury.

 If you have pain due to Long Thoracic Nerve Injury, chiropractic treatment may be your best choice for relief! 

About the Long Thoracic Nerve

Firstly, the long thoracic nerve forms directly from the cervical (neck) spinal nerves root of C5, C6, and C7. Secondly, it is a pure motor nerve (carries signals to your muscles to help you move) that innervates only the serratus anterior muscle. Thirdly, the long thoracic nerve passes through the middle scalene muscle (1 of 3 muscles found on each side of the neck, spanning between the neck and the upper two ribs).  Fourthly, the nerve goes under the brachial plexus (network of nerves in the shoulder) and over the first rib. Finally, it continues on and innervates the serratus anterior muscle.

What Causes Long Thoracic Nerve Injury?

Long Thoracic Nerve Injury may result from nontraumatic causes such as a virus or autoimmune disease.  However, it can definitely occur from traumatic overstretching between the head and the shoulder.   For instance, during an athletic manuever or a football game where there is trauma to the lateral rib age or between the clavicle and the second rib.  Furthermore, repetitive arm abduction (moving arm away from mid line of body) or backward arm extension in the swimmer’s backstroke, backpacking, or shoveling can injure this nerve.  And heavy weight lifting or back packs are also possible causes. Prolonged recumbency (resting/reclining) during surgery can also be the culprit. Lastly, injury may occur with nerve damage (whiplash) during a motor vehicle accident.

 

“Winging” of the Scapula (Shoulder Blade)

Winging causes the scapula to stick outwards and upwards. This causes the shoulder blade to resemble a “wing”. So when muscles weaken and fail to hold the scapula close against the back of the rib cage, winging happens.

In Long Thoracic Nerve injury, this nerve innervating (to supply with nerves) the serratus anterior muscle is damaged.  In turn, the serratus anterior muscle cannot stabilize the scapula during shoulder abduction (arm movement away from the middle of your body).

The serratus anterior muscle is a prime mover in both scapular protraction (moving forward) and scapular upward rotation.  Therefore, there is winging of the scapula and difficulty with overhead motions and forward elevation of the shoulder when this muscle is weakened/dysfunctional.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a long thoracic nerve injury is made by your doctor during the examination with inspection and tests. Plain X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not reveal long thoracic nerve injury.  An electromyographic (EMG) and a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test(s) may be ordered later to examine the function of the long thoracic nerve, but not necessary to start chiropractic treatment.

 

Treatment at Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

 

Chiropractic manipulative treatment/therapy to the spine and extremities (e.g. limbs) are effective for Long Thoracic Nerve Injury. Our other therapies, such as soft tissue techniques, electric muscle stimulation, ice/ heat therapies and homeopathic consultations provide relief.  Through regular chiropractic visits, you can get pain relief and improve your health without drugs or surgery!

 

At Meiri Chiropractic we spend the time necessary to examine, diagnose and treat every neuromusculoskeletal condition and various ailments you have.  Chiropractic is a holistic and natural way to not only treat existing conditions, but to keep your body in its best working condition.  We have been offering effective chiropractic care in West Palm Beach since 2006.  Many of our patient reviews note our excellence.  Call us today at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment or to find out more about Shoulder Pain and Long Thoracic Nerve Injury: Chiropractic Treatment Can Help.

 

This post is about 3 Peripheral Nerves from the Lumbar Spine Causing Neuropathy and Chiropractic Care. You may have burning or stabbing pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower abdomen, hip and groin. Furthermore, extending the back (bending backward) may be difficult as this movement causes more pain. Often you will have difficulty with sitting, standing and walking. If you are an athlete (e.g. rugby or soccer player) you may have “Groin pain” that is intensified by sudden movements such as kicking and coughing. Frequently, peripheral neuropathy to these nerves occur following local trauma or surgery (i.e. for inguinal hernia repair or appendectomy).

 

If you have peripheral neuropathy of the Iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, or genitofemoral nerves, Chiropractic can provide relief! We’ve got some great information to share below.

 

3 Lumbar (Low back) Peripheral Nerves: Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal, or Genitofemoral Nerves

 

The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord lies inside the spinal column (spine). These nerves form the communication network between the central nervous system and the body parts. Additionally, 2 peripheral nerves, the Iliohypogastric and Ilioinguinal arise from the L-1 (first) nerve root in the lumbar spine. The Genitofemoral nerve originates from the upper part of the lumbar plexus of spinal nerves L-1, L-2. Entrapment neuropathies are caused by compression and/or irritation of peripheral nerves as they travel through anatomical spaces.

 

The Iliohypogastric and Ilioinguinal nerves provide muscular innervation to the transverse abdominis and internal oblique muscles while the genitofemoral nerve is primarily a sensory nerve. With an entrapment neuropathy, areas of hypoesthesia (decreased ability to perceive touch) or hyperesthesia (increased ability to perceive touch) due to these nerves occur in the sensory regions supplied by the nerves (Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal, or Genitofemoral).  And sometimes there is an overlap of nerve involvement in the upper middle thigh.  In other words, there may be more than one nerve involved causing pain. 

 

The Anatomy

 

Firstly, the iliohypogastric nerve divides into a lateral (side) branch that exits above the iliac crest (top of your hip/pelvic bone) and supplies the skin of the gluteal region (small area of the upper side buttock). Here is where it can get entrapped (“pinched”).  Next, there is an anterior cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric nerve, which goes through the obliquus externis muscle. The external oblique muscle is one of the outermost abdominal muscles, extending from the lower half of the ribs around and down to the pelvis.

 

Secondly, the ilioinguinal nerve pierces the transversus abdominis (muscle extending between the ribs and the pelvis, wrapping around the trunk) and fascia where it may become entrapped. Then it can get entrapped at the anterior iliac spine, (projection at the front end of the iliac crest).

 

Thirdly, the genitofemoral nerve pierces the anterior (front) fascia (thin casing of connective tissue) of the psoas major muscle.  The nerve may get entrapped at the psoas (long, thin muscle located in the lower-back and pelvis regions of the body) and run inferiorly (below) on the muscle within its fascia. The nerve’s femoral portion supplies the skin over the femoral triangle (wedge-shaped area formed by a depression between the muscles of the front upper thigh). Genitofemoral nerve neuropathy may result from blunt abdominal trauma and adhesions from abdominal surgery (e.g. appendectomy).  Moreover, you may have symptoms of lower intraabdominal (within abdomen) pain or an inguinal or femoral hernia. 

 

 

Treatment at Meiri Chiropractic in West Palm Beach

 

Chiropractic manipulative treatment/therapy to the spine and extremities (e.g. limbs) are effective for neuropathy. Our other therapies, such as soft tissue techniques, electric muscle stimulation, ice/ heat therapies and homeopathic consultations provide relief.  Through regular chiropractic visits, you can get pain relief and improve your health without drugs or surgery!

 

At Meiri Chiropractic we spend the time necessary to examine, diagnose and treat every neuromusculoskeletal condition and various ailments you have.  Chiropractic is a holistic and natural way to not only treat existing conditions, but to keep your body in its best working condition.  We have been offering effective chiropractic care in West Palm Beach since 2006.  Many of our patient reviews note our excellence.  Call us today at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment or to find out more about 3 Peripheral Nerves from the Lumbar Spine Causing Neuropathy and Chiropractic Care.