What actually happens during my first visit?

Your initial consultation starts with detailed history-taking, followed by a thorough physical, neurological and orthopedic examination, your modesty is preserved throughout, and gowns are provided where necessary. If you have prior scans, X-rays, or specialist letters, bring them along; if further imaging is ever warranted, we can refer you locally. By the end of your visit, you'll leave with a clear explanation of what's going on and a considered plan forward. Treatment is usually provided on the initial consultation given the case is deemed within our scope of care.

How many sessions will I need before I notice a difference?

Every case is different, but as a general guide, most patients suffering from nerve pain notice a change in their symptoms within 6-10 visits. Once the nerve has been decompressed and the inflammation around the neural tissue is reduced, the body's own healing processes can start to work much more rapidly, which is often where patients notice the biggest shift. Longer-standing or chronic presentations understandably take more time, why nerve recovery takes time explains the biology behind this., as nerve damage typically can last for several months to, in some cases, years. We'll give you a specific timeframe once your assessment is complete.

How does chiropractic care help with nerve pain?

Nerve pain often stems from compression or irritation somewhere along the nerve's pathway, whether the irritation is to a joint, pressure, from a disc or tightened surrounding muscles. By identifying exactly where that irritation originates and combining manual therapy with functional rehabilitation and neural mobilisation, we aim to relieve pressure on the nerve and support its function returning to normal over time.

How is nerve pain actually diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a detailed history, followed by a hands-on neurological and orthopedic examination, testing reflexes, strength, sensation, and how your specific symptoms behave with movement and provocation. This is what actually localises where along the nerve's pathway the irritation is coming from. Imaging such as an MRI or ultrasound can be a useful part of the picture where it's clinically warranted, but it's used alongside the physical examination, not as a replacement for it, a scan on its own doesn't tell us how a nerve is actually functioning.

What kinds of nerve-related conditions do you see?

We see a wide range of nerve-related presentations, including sciatica, disc-related nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital and Guyon's canal syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, piriformis syndrome, meralgia paraesthetica, Morton's neuroma, and other peripheral nerve entrapments, alongside general spinal and postural presentations that irritate nerves indirectly. Every case starts with an assessment to confirm what's actually going on before any treatment plan is built.

Is chiropractic care safe for nerve pain?

For most nerve-related musculoskeletal presentations, chiropractic care is generally considered a safe, conservative option. Treatment is adapted to your specific presentation, including low-force techniques where a nerve is highly irritated or sensitised, and we screen for red flags that would need onward referral rather than conservative care. As with any treatment, individual suitability depends on your specific history and presentation, which is exactly what your initial assessment is for.

Are there symptoms that mean I should see a doctor urgently, not book a chiropractic appointment?

Yes. Most nerve pain responds well to conservative care, but a small number of symptoms and history factors warrant prompt medical attention rather than a routine booking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area (the inner thighs, groin, or around the genitals), which can indicate cauda equina syndrome; progressive or rapidly worsening weakness; symptoms affecting both legs at once; fever alongside new or worsening pain; a current or previous history of cancer; a history of inflammatory arthritis alongside neck pain or new neurological symptoms; or unexplained, significant weight loss. If any of these apply to you, please see a GP or present to an emergency department rather than booking with us. We screen for these red flags as part of every initial assessment.

Do I need a referral from my GP to book an appointment?

No, our doors are open to everybody. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners registered with AHPRA, so you can book directly.

Can you still help if I have osteoporosis, or I'm recovering from surgery?

Yes, in both cases. For osteoporosis or generally fragile bone density, we modify our approach with gentler soft tissue techniques, low-force mobilisation, and decompression therapy. For post-surgical cases, spinal fusion or micro discectomies, for example, we treat more delicately, with your surgeon's timeframe and any complications shaping the pace of your rehabilitation.

Can I claim private health insurance on the day, and what will it cover?

Yes, bring your physical or digital private health insurance card and we can process your rebate on the spot. Coverage varies significantly between insurers and the level of cover you've selected, so it's worth checking your Product Disclosure Statement or calling your fund directly if you want an exact figure before you visit.

Back to Clinical InsightsNerve Entrapment

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow

Aret AboulianChiropractor

June 22, 2025•6 min read

It's the nerve behind hitting your 'funny bone', but when the tingling becomes a regular, lingering visitor, it's worth understanding what's actually being compressed.

The Nerve Behind the 'Funny Bone'

That electric jolt you feel when you knock your elbow on a hard surface is the ulnar nerve, a common source of nerve pain in the arm and hand., and the spot where it's most exposed, running just behind the bony bump on the inside of your elbow, is the cubital tunnel. Cubital tunnel syndrome develops when this nerve becomes chronically compressed or irritated at this point, rather than just briefly bumped, and it's the second most common nerve entrapment condition in the body after carpal tunnel syndrome.

Recognising the Pattern

Cubital tunnel syndrome typically produces numbness and tingling in the ring and little finger, along with a deep ache around the inner elbow. Symptoms are often noticeably worse with prolonged elbow bending, holding a phone to your ear, sleeping with the elbow tucked, or resting on your elbows at a desk, because flexing the elbow narrows the cubital tunnel further.

In more established cases, hand weakness and clumsiness with fine motor tasks like buttoning a shirt or holding small objects can develop, reflecting the ulnar nerve's role in the small intrinsic muscles of the hand.

How It Differs from Carpal Tunnel

Because both conditions cause numbness and tingling in the hand, cubital tunnel syndrome is sometimes confused with carpal tunnel syndrome. The distinguishing clue is which fingers are involved, cubital tunnel affects the ring and little finger, while carpal tunnel spares the little finger and affects the thumb, index, and middle finger instead. Getting this distinction right matters, because the two conditions are compressed at completely different locations and need different treatment emphasis.

What Contributes to It

Prolonged elbow flexion, leaning on the elbow repeatedly, previous elbow trauma, and anatomical factors that affect how much room the nerve has within the tunnel can all contribute. Occupations and habits involving sustained elbow bending, including a lot of desk and phone-based work, are common contributing patterns we see.

What Helps

Reducing sustained elbow flexion where practical, particularly overnight, is one of the simplest starting points. Beyond that, addressing soft tissue restriction around the elbow, restoring normal nerve glide, and building a graduated plan around your specific triggers tends to be more effective than simply resting and hoping it settles. Persistent or worsening hand weakness is worth having assessed properly rather than managed with rest alone.

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