{"id":7101,"date":"2019-07-05T06:44:36","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T06:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7101"},"modified":"2021-06-11T19:21:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T19:21:34","slug":"14-usual-signs-of-a-pinched-nerve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-usual-signs-of-a-pinched-nerve\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Usual Signs of a Pinched Nerve"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A pinched nerve occurs when there is too much pressure applied to the surrounding tissues, including the bones, cartilage, tendons, and muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pressure affects the nerves causing pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness. When a pinched nerve occurs, it can happen in a number of places in the body. For instance, if there is a herniated disk in the lower spine, it causes pain to radiate up and down the leg because the pressure is being applied to the nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pinched nerve can occur in the wrist, which will cause pain and numbness in the hands. This can also be called carpal tunnel syndrome. A pinched nerve can be treated and healed within a few days to weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In severe cases, surgery has to be done to relieve the pain. When you think have a pinched nerve, you want to know what to expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are eight usual signs to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Numbness feeling is felt when you have a pinched nerve. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The area that is affected will experience numbness<\/a>. The reason pinched nerve causes numbness is because there is a lot of pressure being applied to the nerve root. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pinched nerve will cause the individual to be unable to use that part of the body. For instance, if the wrist is affected it will cause the person to be unable to do their daily chores. It will be even worse if the person has an office job. It will cause him or her to be unable to go to work until the numbness goes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pinched nerve can go away on its own by getting enough rest. The affected area needs to rest in order to heal itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the pinched nerve is in the hand it is important to not use it until it goes away to prevent it from coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Sharp pain radiating outward is a sign to look out for when a pinched nerve is present. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pain is so intense that it\u2019ll cause you to be able to function. For instance, if the pinched nerve <\/a>is in your lower back, the pain will radiate down the back of your leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain may get so intense that the only way to get relief is by going to your primary care doctor and getting a prescription for pain medication. The doctor will suggest taking the prescribed medication along with plenty of rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the pain doesn\u2019t go away in a few days or weeks, then you may have to have surgery. By listening to your doctor, the sharp pain from the pinched nerve will go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pressure that is applied to the nerve will ease up and allow for the pinched nerve to go away on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. The tingling sensation is felt when you have a pinched nerve. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sensation feels like you have pins and needles in the affected area of the body. It is also called paresthesia. When you have a pinched nerve in the hands, the tingling sensation will be felt in that area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for having the tingling <\/a>sensation is because a lot of the times you are keeping your hands in the same position for a long period of time. It is important to change the position of your body often to keep pressure off of one area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tingling sensation will go away because the nerve root doesn\u2019t have any pressured applied to it. Wherever the tingling sensation is felt, the area needs to be rested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You shouldn\u2019t use that particular area of the body until the pinched nerve goes away. If the pinched nerve is in your back, don\u2019t strain on anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Weak muscles are a usual sign of a pinched nerve. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tissue surrounding the nerve has too much pressure applied to it, which is causing the muscles <\/a>to become weak. It will become difficult to complete household chores for instance because you won\u2019t be able to lift on anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You shouldn\u2019t try to strengthen your muscles by lifting on heavyweights at this time since you have a pinched nerve. The best medicine is rest and physical therapy. The physical therapist will show you stretches to do that will help strengthen your muscles in a safe way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once your muscles become stronger, you will need to take steps to not weaken them again by doing a lot of straining on heavy items or sitting in one position for too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pinched nerve will come back and affect your muscles if too much pressure is applied to the nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Frequent feeling that hand or foot is falling asleep is a usual sign of a pinched nerve. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you place your hand or foot in one position for a long period of time, the nerve gets pressed to the root and causes the pinched nerve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you rest your hand or foot for a while, you\u2019ll start to feel like back in those areas. When your foot falls asleep, it causes you to be unable to walk for a while. When it affects your hand, you have to let your hand rest before using it again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a pinched nerve it\u2019s always a good idea to not use the affected area too soon after getting relief. If you use the affected area too soon, the pinched nerve <\/a>could come back and become harder to treat the second time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have this symptom or sign, you may not want to drive or be out by yourself because it will immobilize you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. The burning sensation is a sign you have a pinched nerve. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The burning sensation<\/a> is so intense that you may want to put cold water onto the affected area. When you have a burning sensation, you will need to rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sensation will eventually go away with rest. It will persist if you don\u2019t get any rest. You may want to put some ice over the area. That may alleviate some of the pain and burning sensation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if the pinched nerve is in the foot, you won\u2019t be able to walk on it for a while. A lot of times when you have symptoms like a burning sensation, it will go away after a while, but come back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the burning sensation eases up, you will need to go to your primary care doctor, so he or she can give you a prescription medication to help with the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a usual sign of a pinched nerve. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you have carpal tunnel syndrome<\/a> it is because you are not using your hands correctly when doing tasks. You will feel pain in your hands as well as your wrists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is because when you use your hands, you don\u2019t have the correct form. You are bending your wrists more than you need to, which over time causes carpal tunnel syndrome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated by wearing a wrist splint and making sure you have proper form when you do activities or tasks. For instance, when you have an office job you are required to do a lot of typing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An office worker is more than likely typing constantly and if he or she has bad form when typing, over time, it will cause carpal tunnel syndrome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The office worker needs to learn how to type on the keyboard properly to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Tennis elbow is another sign that you have a pinched nerve.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tennis elbow is when the tissue connecting to the forearm muscle to the elbow is affected. It produces pain and swelling<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have a tennis elbow, placing ice over it will reduce the pain. Tennis elbow occurs because there is an overuse of the elbow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you play sports, such as tennis or golf, arms and wrists are continuously moving the same way. By doing this, the nerves are becoming pressed together in the wrists and arms. This will cause a pinched nerve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the area is iced and over-the-counter medications are taken, tennis elbow will go away. It will come back if you decide to go back to doing the sport or task you were doing in the same manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good idea to switch hands when completing an activity. That way you don\u2019t overuse your wrists, which could cause a pinched nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Cervical Radiculopathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cervical radiculopathy is a medical term describing the disturbance or damage of nerve functions, resulting in symptoms of pain and discomfort. The condition occurs when one of the cervical vertebrae in the neck experiences compression. This compression may occur due to trauma, such as a car accident, or it may occur due to degenerative bone diseases, such as osteoarthritis <\/a>or spondylosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the vertebrae experience compression, it may damage the nerve roots in the cervical spine, causing a loss of feeling along the nerve pathways through the arm, into the hand. The extent of the symptoms depends on the severity of the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In seniors over the age of 60-years old, normal degradation of the discs in the cervical spine can cause pressure on the nerve roots, resulting in the onset of cervical radiculopathy. Patients experiencing this disorder may require surgery to replace a compressed disc in the cervical spine.
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10.    Sciatica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you experience the pain that shoots down the back of your leg, from your buttocks to your knee, it’s a sign of a condition known as sciatica<\/a>. The sciatic nerve starts at the base of the lumbar spine and extends through the hip, and down the back of the leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the nerve passes through the hip, it engages with the piriformis muscle. When the piriformis muscle contracts around the sciatic nerve, it causes these symptoms of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, it’s possible to reverse the effects of sciatica using stretching. Tight calf muscles, hamstrings, and glutes, are the most common causes of the condition, as well as imbalances in the hip flexors. Stretching these regions helps to release the sciatic nerve and stop symptoms of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sciatica typically affects people over the age of 50-years old but athletes in young people at risk of developing the condition as well. Speak to a physiotherapist for advice and stretches that will help relieve tension in the piriformis muscle and release the sciatic nerve.
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11.    Peripheral Neuropathy <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This nervous system<\/a> disorder refers to damage that occurs in the nerves that carry chemical signals from the brain to the spinal cord, and throughout the rest of the body. Patients who experience the onset of peripheral neuropathy may find that they start to experience trouble with muscle movement, as well as sensations of feeling in the arms and legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peripheral neuropathy can occur due to a variety of conditions, with trauma and disease being the most likely culprits. The peripheral nerves extend from the spinal cord and run along the lines in the body known as dermatomes. In most cases, damage to one or more of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system results in sensations of lameness, and a loss of feeling in a specific area of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are suffering from the effects of peripheral neuropathy may require extensive physical therapy. After many sessions, the patient may recover feelings and sensations in the affected limbs. However, in some cases; this condition may be permanent.
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12.    Lower Back Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who spend the majority of their day in a seated position may start to experience the onset of nerve pain in the lower back pain. This pain is related to a breakdown in posture, and shortening of the hip flexor ligaments, due to spending too much time in a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower back pain<\/a> may also occur due to degenerative bone diseases, such as osteoporosis or spondylosis. These disorders may cause a pinching of nerves between the vertebrae or discs in the spine, resulting in sensations of pain in the lower back.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with a posture disorder due to sitting for prolonged periods may gain benefit from stretching. Stretching in the morning and throughout the day to avoid tension accumulating in the hip flexors and lower back. However, people that are dealing with degenerative bone diseases may require extensive physical therapy to relieve their pain symptoms. In some cases, patients may require operations to release trapped nerves.
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13.    Balance Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a network of nerves extending from the brain through the upper jaw, known as the TMJ. When we experience inflammation of the TMJ, it results in disturbances to our coordination and balance<\/a>. The TMJ links to the inner ear, which provides us with a sense of spatial awareness. When the TMJ experiences irritation due to bacterial inflammation or arthritis, it may lead to symptoms of earache as well as a loss of balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients dealing with this condition may also notice increases in other symptoms of tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears, as well as the onset of migraines. Unfortunately, there’s no way to reverse arthritis in the TMJ joint, and patients may have to learn to live with the effects of the disorder. Some people may experience temporary symptoms that subside after inflammation or infection clears from the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation using anti-inflammatories and painkillers. However, there is no medication available to restore balance or eliminate symptoms of vertigo, related to inflammation of the TMJ joint.
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14.    Limited Range of Motion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pinched nerves may cause symptoms of pain and discomfort, especially when moving the affected joint. If a patient receives a trapped nerve in the neck, shoulder, or hips, it may result in a dramatic reduction in the range of motion, limiting movement. For instance, if a person is involved in a car accident, and experiences a trapped nerve in the neck, they may have issues rotating it up or down, or side-to-side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases of a trapped nerve, when the nerve releases, the patient will regain the complete range of motion in the affected joint<\/a>. However, in some cases, the damage may be permanent. Some individuals may require extensive physiotherapy to recover range of motion after the nerve releases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rate of recovery and time needed to restore a full range of motion depends mostly on how long they had to deal with the trapped nerve. Your physiotherapist will assess the injuries during your initial consultation, and outline a recovery plan to bring your joints back to health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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