Minor body aches and pains are an accepted fact of life for anyone who leads a relatively active lifestyle. But when that pain becomes problematic and chronic, it may be time to consult professionals about what might be the source of that pain. A pinched nerve is often found to be the culprit when it comes to chronic pain, especially if it develops into lower back pain, neck pain, leg pain, shoulder pain or hip pain. A chiropractor may be the answer for pain relief in this situation, and we will explain how to determine if this condition might be at the root of your pain.
Symptoms
The term pinched nerve is used in medicine to describe an injury or damage to a single nerve or set of nerves for any number of reasons. The nerve most commonly affected by this condition is the sciatic nerve, and because it has bundles that radiate throughout the body, it can cause pain in areas far removed from the actual injury site. Because of this, if you show any of the following symptoms, it would be a wise idea to see your regular physician or chiropractor immediately, so that the injury site can be determined, and treatment begun.
Weakness: generally felt in an extremity, like a leg or arm, but may often present itself in the lower back as well. Feels like the muscles located in that area are exceptionally weak, and may lack basic strength while manipulating them.
Tenderness: the skin, muscle and tendons within the affected area are hypersensitive to tactile feelings, like pressure, pain, extension and compression. The entire area around the affected nerve bundle feels sore, like it had undergone severe cramps over a long period of time.
Odd sensations: you may feel odd sensations in the affected area, like pins and needles, numbness, waves of burning sensations or stabbing and fluctuating pains. These may also coincide with muscle spasms, and are brought on by the compression or contracting of the nerve bundles.
Causes
The primary cause of this condition is often simple exertion. When we work hard or play hard, we run the risk of pulling muscles, straining ligaments, and shifting some of our more fragile bones out of place, especially as we grow older. Age is also a factor for the second most likely cause behind this condition, which is bone spurs or thickening of the bones through aging and arthritis. This can be a defining factor for the location of the compression, especially when the sciatic nerve is involved.
Other medical conditions, like sciatica, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis can cause the nerve bundles along the spine to become compressed, literally pinching the nerve strands and causing pain to radiate throughout the body. This is why it is so important to be examined to determine the source of the injury or compression. Too often the site is thought to be where the pain is, when in reality, it may be far removed from it. Lastly, any injury that involves the neck, shoulder, back or spine can lead to the vertebrae that make up the spinal column to shift or compress, and the spinal nerves along with it.
Treatment Options
The treatment for this condition is usually broken down into phases of treatment options. For chronic pain episodes, treatment with corticosteroid shots, followed by periods of bed rest, will usually alleviate the most painful symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments can also be done, as well as physical therapy sessions. The key to any viable treatment plan, however, is assessments and examinations to pinpoint the injured area.
The important thing to remember about treating a pinched nerve is that over time, it can progress from a temporary injury to a permanent condition far faster than you might realize. If it happens to you, get checked, and get treated before it gets worse.
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