PINCHED NERVE
What is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve is a painful experience affecting millions of Americans every year. Pinched or compressed nerves are usually a result of bone or connective tissue placing too much pressure on a nerve. This pressure causes inflammation, impeding nerve function which our bodies interpret as pain.
A pinched nerve can occur at several sites in your body. For example, a herniated disk in the lower spine may put pressure on a nerve root, causing radiating pain to your leg. However, with rest and other conservative treatments, recovery typically a few days. On the other hand, surgery may be needed in some cases to relieve pain.
Pinched Nerve Causes
A pinched nerve is caused by too much pressure being applied to the nerve by surrounding tissue.
Below you will find the most common causes:
- Obesity
- Incorrect posture
- Aggressive sports or training
- Bone spurs
- Trauma/injury
- Thyroid conditions
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Herniated disc
Pinched Nerve Symptoms
- Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve
- Sharp, aching, or burning radiating pain
- Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”
- Tingling, “pins and needles” sensation
- Muscle weakness in the affected area
Diagnosing Compressed Nerves
- Nerve conduction study. This test measures electrical nerve impulses and functioning in your muscles and also nerves. This is performed through electrodes placed on your skin. The study measures the electrical impulses in your nerve signals when a small current passes through. So, test results will tell your doctor whether you have a damaged nerve.
- Electromyography (EMG). During an EMG, your doctor inserts a needle electrode through your skin into various muscles. The test evaluates the electrical activity of your muscles when they contract and when they’re at rest. Therefore, test results will tell your doctor if there is damage to the nerves leading to the muscle.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed views of your body in multiple planes. Therefore, this test may be used if your doctor suspects nerve root compression.
- High-resolution ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your body. However, it’s helpful for diagnosing nerve compression syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Non-Surgical Option: DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Therapy
If a pinched nerve is caused by a herniated or bulging disc, DRX9000 spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical option that decompresses the disc to reduce pressure on the nerve. Call 1 (855) 487-4633 to schedule an evaluation with Steven Cantor DC.
Common Questions About Pinched Nerves
What does a pinched nerve feel like?
A compressed nerve typically produces symptoms away from the site of the compression, following the path the nerve supplies. Patients describe sharp or burning pain, pins and needles, numbness, or a heavy weak feeling in the arm or leg. Symptoms often change with position, and coughing, sneezing or bending can make them briefly worse when the nerve root is involved.
Can a pinched nerve heal on its own?
Many do. When the irritation comes from short-lived swelling or a minor mechanical strain, symptoms often resolve as the inflammation subsides. What does not resolve on its own is sustained structural pressure, for example from a disc that is displaced into the space the nerve occupies. That is why symptoms lasting more than a few weeks, or returning repeatedly, warrant an examination rather than more rest.
How long does a pinched nerve take to recover?
Mild cases frequently improve within a few weeks. Cases involving a disc, or where numbness and weakness are present rather than pain alone, generally take longer and depend on how long the nerve has been compressed. Recovery is monitored by change in the neurological findings, not by pain alone.
When should a pinched nerve be treated urgently?
Get immediate medical attention for weakness that is worsening, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, or a limb that is becoming unusable. Persistent numbness and progressive muscle weakness are more concerning than pain, because they indicate the nerve itself is being affected rather than simply irritated.
Can spinal decompression relieve a pinched nerve?
When the compression is coming from a herniated or bulging disc, DRX9000 spinal decompression is one of the non-surgical options considered. The aim is to reduce pressure inside the disc so the nerve root has more room. It is performed at our Boca Raton office, and suitability is determined by Steven Cantor DC after an examination and a review of your imaging.