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Pinched Nerve
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The term pinched nerve describes one type of damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. The injury may result from compression, constriction, or stretching. Symptoms include numbness, "pins and needles" or burning sensations, and pain radiating outward from the injured area. One of the most common examples of a single compressed nerve is the feeling of having a foot or hand "fall asleep." |
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Pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow. The extent of such injuries may vary from minor, temporary damage to a more permanent condition. Early diagnosis is important to prevent further damage or complications.Pinched nerves are commonly found in many patients who have experienced being involved in automobile accidents.
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The most typical pinched nerves are the median, ulnar and radial nerves, which extend down the arms from the shoulders to the hands. Other commonly compressed nerves include the femoral, which extends from the pelvis to the knee; the plantar nerves in your feet; nerves between discs in your spinal column; the peroneal nerve running along the side of your leg; and the sciatic nerve, a large nerve that runs the length of each leg from the base of your spine to your foot. | |
With treatment, a pinched nerve generally heals in a few days to a few weeks. Chronic cases can result from persistent irritation of the affected nerve. In some cases, damage to the nerve can become permanent. |
Common causes of pinched nerves include:
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bulging discs in the spine that cause back, leg, neck, arm, or shoulder pain
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compression of a nerve at the elbow or wrist
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a prolonged cramped posture
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arthritis
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an abnormal bone growth, such as a bone spur
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use of a cast or crutches
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repetitive motion occuring on the job
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Symptoms:
- Tenderness, tingling or numbness in one part of your body, often a limb
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Prickly, burning or stabbing pain where a nerve is being irritated, with a dull ache further along the nerve's length
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Weakness in the affected area; atrophy of muscles because of disuse, so that one arm or leg may look thinner than the other
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The vertebrae are separated from one another by fibrous pads called disks. The outer layer of the disc is strong and flexible, encasing a soft, jellylike core. When the outer layer is weakened by strain or injury, the condition known as a herniated disc, the inner core can bulge out and press against, or pinch, one of the spinal nerves, resulting in severe pain. |
Prevention:
Try to avoid tasks that involve repetitive hand, wrist, arm or shoulder motions. When avoidance is impossible, perform the motions for short periods of time with breaks in between. If symptoms begin to appear, consult a chiropractor to learn about possible modifications in the task or the equipment. |
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The chiropractors focus is primarily on diagnosing and treating dysfunction of the muscles, nerves, and skeletal system without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic care helps increase the flexibility of the soft tissue of the spine and reduces the pressure that occurs from any restricted and minor misalignments of individual vertebral joint segments. This in turn helps to eliminate any nerve interference created from the dysfunctional area. This can be achieved by breaking down scar tissue through techniques which adjust the spine, re-aligning the affected vertebrae, as well as performing release techniques to the fibrous portion of the soft tissue. |
How long does it take for nerve irritation to be reduced?
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| Many patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take weeks, however this is usually not the case.
Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period, most patients sense enough progress to justify completing our recommendations.
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Will my chiropractor give me some muscle relaxants?
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| Chiropractors don’t dispense drugs of any kind. Muscle relaxants and even the most common over-the-counter pain medications fail on two counts. Although they’re convenient, but they don’t correct the underlying cause of your problem. Virtually every drug produces side effects. Which is a fancy way of saying they produce unwanted effects. These effects can include anything from slight discomfort to serious conditions such as kidney failure, liver damage, addiction and even death.
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