Do I Have A Pinched Nerve? 
Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they think they have a pinched nerve. Because of the way your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots. While commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare. Research suggests that only 10% to 15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped and stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal bones. Both of these situations can result in numbness, burning or a "pins and needles" feeling.