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Many people have experienced that foot that's fallen asleep, or that cutting pain that shoots through the lower back. In most of these cases, a pinched nerve is to blame. Pinched nerves happen when a bone, usually spinal, applies pressure on a nerve. When this happens over a period of time, the nerve gets inflamed. Once inflamed, the "pinching" begins.
The occurrence of a pinched nerve can apply to one nerve, or a set of nerves. Continued pressure on the area can result in injury or even permanent damage. Pinched nerves can also lead to other conditions like tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica. -
Symptoms of a pinched nerve can be numbness, pain or tingling. Tingling symptoms can range from burning or prickling to a pins-and-needles sensation. If continued pressure is applied, numbness is the result. These symptoms as a group are called "paresthesias" in the medical world.
Paresthesias can occur in the feet, hands, fingers or even skin areas. However, there are cases when these symptoms can be indicative of a more serious condition, so if they persist, seek medical attention. -
The central nervous system is the nerve network in the body. The brain and spinal cord coordinate all nerve functions. Nerve bundles, or nerve roots, extend from the spinal column out to all the areas of the body. Each section of our spinal column feeds its own respective nerve root to its assigned area of our anatomy.
Herniated disks, or bone spurs, on the upper spinal column are common causes of pinched nerves in the shoulders, neck, arms and upper back. Stress and tension in the muscles are also known causes for pinched nerves in this region.
In the case of carpal tunnel, repeated pressure is applied to the nerves that pass through the bones of the wrist, whereas a pinched sciatic nerve originates in the lower lumbar region of the spinal column. -
Treatments for pinched nerves can differ depending on what type of nerve is involved, and how extensive the damage is. Often, a main requisite for healing a pinched nerve is time and rest. The body has the ability to heal itself in such cases, and rest is required in order for the body to work its magic.
If ongoing pain accompanies a pinched nerve condition, your doctor may prescribe an analgesic, or pain-killer, along with an anti-inflammatory agent. In the more severe cases in which a herniated disk or spinal column abnormality is the cause, surgery may be required. Post-surgical treatments then require a physical therapy regimen to rebuild the nerves and muscles of the affected areas.
