What Is A Pinched Nerve?

What Is A Pinched Nerve
The nerves inside your body are the communication network that sends and receives messages that starts from your brain to the rest of your body organs and vice versa. Your nerves are very vulnerable to different types of conditions such as pinching, stretching, and compression. If such conditions occur, nerves can feel pain and discomfort
A pinched nerve is a term used in the medical field to define the injury and the damage of a nerve brought by various conditions and reasons. Pain and discomfort are the results every time you experience pressure on your nerves due to damages disc, inflammation, muscle tear, and injury. Pinched nerve causes the pain in body areas that are close from the injured part. Some people who are experiencing pinched nerve shares that the pain and discomfort is like that of a hot ice pick touching your body
Pinched nerve is being caused by the extreme force every time you work hard making your muscles and nerves to pull and lengthen. It is mostly located in the neck and back part of the body. Sometimes, pinched nerve is due to car accidents, injury that you got from sport activities, diseases in your spine, and work related activities such as bending too much and lifting things incorrectly that can cause neck strains
It can also result to numbness and severe pain. When you have pinched nerve you will be generally experience extreme pain on your legs or arms or whenever the injured part is located. You will have the feeling of weakness every time you try to move the fragile area. And also, the affected area is sensitive to pressure, pain, and compression especially when pinched nerve is located at the tendons, and muscles. You will feel sore for a very long period of time because of the compression, contraction, and pinching of the nerves. If you are experiencing this kind of pain on your body, you have to deal with it right away
Treating pinched nerve varies on how severe the conditions, its location, and cause of the pain. You can remove or lessen the pain of your pinched nerve into various treatment options. If it is being caused from repetitive activity then you can stop the activity that you are doing but in cases for a more serious cause, it is recommended that you visit a physical therapist. But first of all, you must have to determine and locate the injured area to know the treatment conditions that you can apply for it. Visit a physician and get checked before the pain get worse and get severed
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What is a Trapped Nerve and How Do I Fix It

What is a Trapped Nerve and How Do I Fix It
There might be many causes of pain the back and one of them is trapped nerves. A good specialist will be able to tell if the pain in the back is due to this.  If the pain is actually due to the compressed nerves then a specialist will recommend treatment accordingly.
The nerves in the back are 'pinched' or they may be stretched, compressed, irritated or constricted. These nerves could be irritated due to pressure from the surrounding tendons, muscles or bones. This situation causes pain and discomfort in the back which may gradually increase if treatment is not started soon. The pain could be any of general pain or muscle spasms, a tingling feeling or numbness.   These are some of the common symptoms
There are some recommend treatments like sleeping and sitting with the right posture. There is also physical therapy such as placing a heat pad on the back and also getting your back massaged by a specialist. You have to avoid lifting heavy things and abruptly turning left or right till the condition is brought under check. In most cases prevention is always better than cure and you should avoid anything that may increase the pressure on the nerves. The important point here is that further damage should be prevented. There are many people who suffer from a stiff neck and numbness in the toes and fingers. There are some extreme cases that may last for several weeks
The trapped nerve pain can be handled with a combination of therapies such as medications, exercises and massage. Preventive methods such as yoga are also recommended by some doctors
Ultimately, there could be a number of different reasons why you have back pain now, there are plenty of resources on how to fix a trapped nerve

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Easy Tips on How To Relieve Pinched Sciatic Nerve Or Lower Back Pain

Easy Tips on How To Relieve Pinched Sciatic Nerve Or Lower Back Pain
Pinched Sciatic Nerve pain describes a condition that stems from sciatic nerve compression. It is also known as sciatica and is usually due to bulging of the sciatic nerve. This can produce a dull ache to extremely excruciating pain
People the world over suffer from lower back pain often without knowing the underlying cause. It is therefore important to see a Doctor, Physical Therapist or Chiropractor in order to receive the correct diagnosis before coming to the conclusion that you are suffering from Pinched Sciatic Nerve Pain. Too many of us try to self diagnose but when it comes to something as important as your back you must seek professional help, particularly if your symptoms worsen or persist
Tips on how to prevent back pain
Posture. Something as simple as bad posture can over time do a lot of damage to the back. Hunching over a computer for example from 9 to 5 every day may increase pressure on the nerves and thus cause them to be compressed
It is possible to correct bad posture. Replacing your old office chair with a chair that supports the back would be a good start, and to be aware of your posture at all times. When you feel yourself slouching straighten up
Sleeping Position A poor or uncomfortable night's sleep is another common reason for back problems. Take a look at your mattress. Does it sink in the middle and have you had it for years? If your answer is yes then it is time for change. When choosing a new bed/mattress, choose one with sufficient back support and find a comfortable sleeping position. It is also helpful to look at your pillow and ensure your neck is also being supported. A blissful night's sleep should do you the world of good
Lifting and Carrying Lifting and carrying is another common cause of back problems. Attempting to lift something too heavy for you, or lifting and carrying incorrectly are the culprits. Always lift correctly. Do not bend from the waist and make sure your knees are bent before you pick up. Always listen to your body. If you feel strain or a twinge don't do it
Bending and Stretching As above when bending, knees have to be bent and when stretching know your limits. Do not overstretch
Weight Obesity is another common cause of back problems. Being overweight or obese can also put unnecessary strain on the back. If you are overweight and are experiencing back problems see a health professional for diet and exercise advice immediately
Age As we get older we may experience back problems due to wear and tear. It is never too late to take up exercise. Gentle exercise like walking is a good start. A combination of Yoga and stretching may be helpful in strengthening the back and spine which is crucial as we age. Exercise just makes us feel good no matter what age we are.
It just goes to show that making subtle changes in our every day lives could benefit us greatly in the future. Always look after your back and you will see the difference
Steve Turk is a personal trainer who was plagued with back problems in his early twenties. He runs an informational website that tackles all aspects of back pain relief

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Cervical Radiculopathy - Treating a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

Cervical Radiculopathy - Treating a Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Let's suppose that you have been diagnosed as having a pinched nerve in your neck, also known as cervical radiculopathy. If so, you probably have pain in the neck and one shoulder. The pain might radiate into your arm and you might have weakness or numbness in the arm as well. Moving your neck in certain positions probably worsens the pain
If you're a younger adult, the pinch could be due to a herniated (slipped) disc. Discs are the soft spacers that separate each pair of stacked neck-bones (vertebrae). If you're an older adult, the pinch is more likely due to a bony spur (spondylosis). In either case, you're in good company. A survey in Sicily showed that at any one time there were 3.5 active cases of cervical radiculopathy per population of 100,000. In Rochester, Minnesota, another survey showed 85 new cases each year of cervical radiculopathy per population of 100,000.
Let's say that your doctor has evaluated you thoroughly by taking a history of your symptoms and performing a physical examination. Perhaps with the additional help of an MRI of your cervical spine (neck) and electrical tests of nerve and muscle function (nerve conduction studies and electromyography) the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy is deemed definite. Furthermore, there is no sign that the spinal cord itself is pinched. Now what
Now what, indeed. Choosing a treatment for this condition is far from straightforward. Out of hundreds of published medical reports concerning treatment of cervical radiculopathy, most are case reports or case series. A "case series" translates roughly as: "We gave six patients in a row the same treatment and five of them got better." What can be concluded from a study of this kind? Did the treatment make the patients better or would they have improved anyway? We don't know
The missing ingredient here is a comparison group of untreated or differently treated individuals known as a control group. The other mark of a quality study is that the chosen treatment is randomized, meaning that the research subjects agreed in advance to be assigned to one treatment group or another based on the equivalent of a coin-toss. So out of the hundreds of published studies involving treatment of this common condition, how many were randomized controlled trials? Unfortunately, the answer is just one
Liselott Persson, Carl-Axel Carlsson and Jane Carlsson at the University Hospital of Lund, Sweden, randomly allocated 81 patients who had symptoms of cervical radiculopathy present for at least three months to any of three treatments -- surgery, physical therapy or a cervical collar. The patients ranged from 28 to 64 years old and 54% of them were male. The surgeons used the so-called Cloward procedure, removing fragments of protruding discs and spurs through an incision in the front of the neck, and then fusing two neck-bones together by means of a bone-graft. Physical therapy involved 15 sessions over a span of three months and consisted of whatever the physical therapist considered appropriate, variously including any of the following: heat application, cold application, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, massage, manipulation, exercise and education. In the cervical collar group, patients wore rigid, shoulder-resting collars every day for three months. Additionally, some of the subjects wore soft collars overnight
How did the study turn out? Three of the subjects who were assigned to surgery refused the procedure because they had already improved on their own. For statistical purposes their outcomes were included with those who actually received the operation. After three months the surgery and physical therapy groups reported, on average, less pain. After an additional 12 months patients in all three groups had less pain than at the beginning of the study and the outcomes of each treatment were statistically alike. Measurements of mood and overall function following treatment were likewise equal among the groups
So, over the long haul, no treatment was better than the others. Of course, within each group some patients did better or worse than others and this spread of outcomes was not reflected in the overall averages. In fact, five patients in the collar group and one patient in the physical therapy group went on to receive surgery owing to lack of satisfactory improvement. In addition, eight patients in the surgery group underwent a second operation that in one case was due to a complication of the first operation
With this Swedish study representing the only rigorous investigation of treatment outcomes in cervical radiculopathy, there are a number of unanswered questions. For example, what are the effects on cervical radiculopathy of painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, local injections, systematic traction or other forms of surgery? We don't know. What happens if there is no treatment whatsoever? We don't know the answer to that question either
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Causes of Your Pain - Pulled Muscle, Pinched Nerve, Or Pain Syndrome

Causes of Your Pain - Pulled Muscle, Pinched Nerve, Or Pain Syndrome

Sometimes it's tough to know what is causing your painful symptoms. This is especially true if your pain is persistent, despite your attempts to relieve it and prevent it. If your pain continues for several weeks, or several months, many roots may be possible
Muscle Strains, Fascial Sprains.
You can perform a few simple tests to narrow your pain down to soft tissue injury. These may help you determine if your pain is related to muscles and connective tissue, as opposed to nerves or the neuromuscular system
Maybe you pulled, or strained, a muscle. You might have sprained the connective tissue, or fascia. Ask yourself these questions
*Does it hurt when I move in a certain direction
*Does it hurt when I press a body part against something (resistance)
*Does applying basic first aid provide relief
*Is my pain a deep soreness, nagging ache, or intense pain
If your pain feels like numbness, tingling, zapping, shooting pains, or weakness, then you should consider nerve injury
Pinched nerves
When you have pain associated with blocked nerve signals, it is called impingement. Nerve signs are different from muscular signs
When a nerve is impinged, or pinched, you are more likely to feel it at an area where nerve bundles pass through, instead of muscle pain that is felt in the muscle itself. You are more likely to feel shooting pain, numbness, tingling or weakness when nerve restrictions are causing your pain
Pain Syndromes.
There are several different types of pain syndromes, or symptom clusters, which may also cause your pain. Their symptoms might resemble those mentioned above, but they will require careful diagnosis and a different treatment plan
Myofascial Pain Syndrome might first appear to be pain in one or more areas. It may be confused for muscle soreness from exertion. Or it might feel like a muscle strain or tension. But the pain will eventually be felt in different parts of the body. And sometimes the pain in those areas might not seem related
Your pain might feel like a pinched nerve, or mixed nerve signals. But it might be related to a condition like a Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This kind of syndrome affects the nervous system and can be difficult to distinguish from common nerve impingements
Perhaps you notice swelling, oversensitive skin or skin changes in the painful area, or circulation changes. If you feel these, alongside your muscular aches and/or nerve pains, especially if you have been experiencing a lot of stress in your life, then a CRPS should be considered
If a pain syndrome is underlying your ongoing pain, then you need to take a different approach to relief and treatment

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How Chiropractic Care Helps in Treating Pinched Nerves

How Chiropractic Care Helps in Treating Pinched Nerves
A pinched nerve happens when there is too much pressure applied to a nerve by its surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. The pressure can cause disruption to the nerve's function which in turn may cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. This condition can occur in any part of your body, but it is more often to happen in the back. In the field of chiropractic, this term is identified as subluxation
In addition to the back, a pinched nerve may also occur in the neck, wrist, or elbow. There are many different potential causes for it, depending on the location of the nerve. If it occurs in the neck or lower back, it may be due to a herniated disc, arthritis, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. If it occurs in the wrist or elbow, it may be due to carpal tunnel syndrome, or cubital tunnel syndrome. Other causes of this condition may be due to injury, bruise, or swelling of extremities during pregnancy
The symptoms of a pinched nerve may vary depending on which nerve is affected. The common symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness along the path of the nerve. When it occurs in the neck, there is pain or stiffness, along with the symptoms that radiates down the arm. If it is in the lower back, there is pain and stiffness with symptoms that runs down the leg. If it is in the wrist, the thumb, index, and middle fingers are usually affected and it may also cause weakness in gripping objects, and if it occurs in the elbow, it usually affects the forearm, the ring finger, and the small fingers of the hand
Chiropractic treatment can provide relief to pinched nerves without the use of drugs and expensive surgery. It begins with knowing the medical history of the patient and then a chiropractor will conduct diagnostic tests on the patient to determine the exact location and the cause of the nerve disorder. Once they are identified, the chiropractor will make some spinal adjustments using different methods to treat the problem.
Usually, three to six visits can show positive results. While in some cases, patients get instant relief upon their first visit. Additional visits to a chiropractic clinic can treat misalignment and promote nerve and joint health. If the pinched nerve persists after three to six visits, the chiropractor might use other treatment methods such as back brace or traction, electrical stimulation, physical therapy, and soft tissue therapy. The body has the capability to heal itself and the chiropractor supports its healing capabilities to improve its health
Chiropractors are the only professionals who specialize in detecting and eliminating pinched nerve problems. The goal of chiropractic care is to allow the flow of communication to the brain and from the brain and every cell, tissue, organ, and system in the body which is a prerequisite to health
It is important to have an early diagnosis to prevent further injury or complications brought by pinched nerves. Even the slightest misalignment can cause pressure and irritation to the nerves and may lead to more severe and disabling illness if not treated
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Think You May Have a Pinched Nerve in Your Back? Look Out For These Symptoms

Think You May Have a Pinched Nerve in Your Back? Look Out For These Symptoms
A pinched nerve in your back can be described as compressed or injured. From a medical-standpoint, there is very little difference in semantics. However, having a pinched, or compressed nerve, is something that should not be taken lightly-as if left untreated, it will likely leave you with a numb, weak, and even pain-ridden back. Here are some of the classic symptoms associated with pinched nerves, particularly originating from the back area
The most common indicators of a probable pinched nerve include numbness, or a part of the back which has lost much or all of its feeling; tingling; or weakness in the region that the nerve serves. There can also very well be sharp pains in the region of a pinched nerves-most notably numbness and pain in the legs. Twitching of the muscle(s) in the particular region or muscular spasms ("pins and needles") are also tell-tell signs of a possible pinched or compressed back nerve
The causes of pinched nerves are not simply defined. Historically, a compressed nerve has been determined to be the aftermath of such things as disc herniation, repetitive stress-related injuries, poor posture, being overweight, osteoporotic fractures and osteoarthritis. Take note, however, that long term pain in the back is rarely a sign of a compressed nerve, at least in theory, a completely compressed nerve
A partially compressed nerve, to the contrary, can likely be the culprit of chronic back pain and weakness, since a portion of the nerve is still transmitting, but what is being transmitted between the nerve and your brain is essentially "I'm injured and I need help". Usually a compressed nerve will cause only numbness and weakness, though
Tips to help alleviate pinched nerves include staying physically active and consulting with a chiropractor. By laying in bed, sitting still, or just lounging around much of the time, your heart is weakened-and thus, so will be your muscles. Do regular stretches and aerobic exercises. This will make the heart stronger, and in turn, provide much a better blood flow to the affected areas in your back (as well as other parts of the body that may be troublesome).

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