Pinched Nerve Relief, Causes & Symptoms
Pinched nerves are often the cause of pain in your spine and joints. The majority of our patients are treated for pinched nerves daily. Most people will have pinched nerves at some point in their lives, and some get them frequently.
But what is a pinched nerve, and how do they get released from compression? We will spend some time on this subject because healthy nerves are vital to a healthy functioning body free of discomfort.
Let’s start with a little review about the function of nerves.
What Are Peripheral Nerves?
Nerves that travel from your brain through the spinal cord then out into your arms and legs to send messages to muscles (movement) and skin (sensation) are called peripheral nerves. Think of this nerve as a fiber-optic cable with fibers surrounded by an outer shell. Each fiber is like a tiny garden hose where the green part of the hose is a membrane where an electrical charge can travel. The inside of the hose transports fluid from the nerve cell body that helps feed and restore the electrical charge carrying outer membrane.
So, what do you suppose happens when one of these nerves are pinched? Just like a garden hose, the flow of fluid is slowed or completely blocked. Nutrients can no longer nourish the membrane. You can take a good guess at what happens then – the membrane becomes unhealthy and loses ability to transmit electrical charges. If severely pinched for extended time, the nerve eventually dies. When enough of these fibers stop working, symptoms begin to surface.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
The location of a pinched nerve determines the types of symptoms you feel and can range from minor to severe. It is possible for symptoms of a pinched nerve to come and go, or stick around and cause chronic pain.
Common symptoms of a pinched nerve include:
- Tenderness
- Pain
- Increased pain with moving
- Trouble moving freely
- Numbness or tingling
- Burning sensation
Causes of a Pinched Nerve
Pressure put on a nerve is the cause of a pinched nerve that inhibits nerve function and interferes with normal pain signals. Pinched nerves can happen in numerous parts of the body, but the most common causes of pinched nerves include:
- Herniated disc
- Degeneration due to again or inflammation
- Carpal tunnel
- Injuries, such as trauma, tears and sprains
- Bone spurs that narrow the spaces where nerves travel
- Repetitive movements
- Staying in one position for a long time
- Poor posture
- Excess weight
- Arthritis
Home Care for a Minor Pinched Nerve
If you have what feels like a new pinched nerve, you may first try home care to help your body return to normal balance. However, if your symptoms are not relieved, make an appointment for chiropractic adjustments to realign your spine or joints and eliminate the source of the problem and therapy to help regenerate cells and restore function. The longer a nerve remains pinched, the higher your risk of nerve damage or even nerve death.
- Use a handheld massager
- Alternate between ice or heat wrapped in a cloth
- Take a hot shower
- Stretch
- Drink bone broth for collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid
- Increase your intake of antioxidant foods, such as green tea and blueberries
