Nerve Pain and Tingling in the Legs — How Chiropractic and Massage Help

Understanding Nerve Pain and Tingling

Tingling, burning, or numbness in the legs can feel alarming — but it doesn’t always mean something serious is happening. These sensations often come from nerve irritation along the spine, hips, or legs.

When nerves are compressed or inflamed, signals between your brain and body become distorted. That can create sensations like pins-and-needles, heaviness, or shooting pain.

At Journey Spinal Care in Sanford, FL, we look beyond just where you feel the pain. Our goal is to identify what’s causing the nerve irritation — whether that’s a spinal misalignment, tight muscle, or movement imbalance — and restore proper function so your body can heal naturally.

Everyday Causes of Nerve Pain — It’s Not Always a Major Injury

Many people are surprised to learn that nerve irritation can develop gradually — not just from a single “bad move.” Everyday habits and postural stress can build tension over time.

Common contributors include:

• Prolonged sitting or poor ergonomics at a desk

• Muscle tightness or adhesions around the glutes, hamstrings, or calves

• Repetitive motions from work or exercise

• Pelvic or spinal misalignment altering how pressure is distributed through the legs

• Scar tissue or fascial restriction from old injuries

  
  

When muscles develop trigger points (tight knots that refer pain), they can mimic or aggravate nerve-related symptoms. For example, tight glute or piriformis muscles can irritate the sciatic nerve, causing pain that radiates down the leg — even when there’s no disc problem.

Over time, these biomechanical and soft-tissue issues can evolve into conditions like:

• Sciatica (irritation of the sciatic nerve)

• Meralgia paresthetica (compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the thigh)

• Myofascial pain syndrome (nerve-like pain from chronic muscle tension and adhesions)

Related read: Low Back Pain Chiropractor in Sanford, FL

How Chiropractic Care Helps with Nerve Pain

Chiropractic adjustments help restore motion to joints that may be limiting nerve flow or creating compensations elsewhere in the body. By improving spinal and pelvic alignment, pressure on nearby nerves can be reduced — allowing your body to move more freely and comfortably.

At Journey Spinal Care, we combine adjustments with complementary techniques to address the whole picture:

• Joint mobilization and spinal adjustments to restore alignment

• Targeted stretching and movement correction to improve balance and posture

• Education and ergonomic guidance to prevent recurrence

  
  

Meet Our Team- Learn more about Dr. Sammer Yacoub and her individualized approach to chiropractic care.

Bodywork and Massage Therapy for Nerve Relief

Muscles, fascia, and nerves are deeply interconnected. When one area is tight or restricted, it can affect the others. That’s why bodywork is an important part of our care plans.

Our Licensed Massage Therapist, Marcus Gonzalez, LMT, uses techniques like:

• Deep tissue and trigger point therapy to release muscle tension

• Cupping therapy to improve circulation and reduce inflammation

• Myofascial release to break up adhesions that restrict nerve mobility

  
  

This combination of chiropractic and bodywork helps relieve the root causes of nerve irritation — not just mask the symptoms.

Learn more about Marcus Gonzalez, LMT.

Therapeutic Ultrasound for Nerve-Related Pain

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to generate gentle vibrations deep within soft tissues. This process increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and supports healing in muscles and connective tissue surrounding irritated nerves.

It’s especially beneficial for conditions where chronic tightness or inflammation compresses the nerve, such as sciatica or postural strain. When used alongside chiropractic adjustments and soft-tissue therapy, ultrasound enhances recovery and helps reduce sensitivity faster.

Explore more on our Services Page.

Self-Care Tips for Nerve Pain and Tingling

A few simple steps can make a big difference between visits:

• Take short movement breaks if you sit for long periods

• Do gentle stretches for the hips, hamstrings, and calves

• Use a heating pad to relax tight muscles

• Focus on posture and supportive footwear

• Stay hydrated and keep light activity in your routine

  
  

Have questions? Visit our FAQs.

When to Seek Immediate or Medical Attention

While chiropractic care is effective for many non-emergency causes of nerve pain, some symptoms may indicate a more serious condition that requires urgent medical evaluation.

You should contact your primary care provider or visit the emergency room if you experience:

• Sudden or severe weakness in the legs

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Numbness in the inner thighs or groin

• Rapidly worsening pain or inability to walk

• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats accompanying pain

  
  

These signs can suggest a deeper neurological or systemic issue that should be evaluated medically before beginning chiropractic treatment.

Your Journey to Relief Starts Here

If you’re tired of living with tingling, burning, or nerve-related pain, you don’t have to keep pushing through it. Our gentle, personalized approach at Journey Spinal Care combines chiropractic, bodywork, and therapeutic ultrasound to help restore comfort and confidence in your movement.

You can book your appointment online, contact us, or call/text 321-926-4565 — we’ll be happy to help you start your journey to relief and recovery.