You’re probably familiar with the pain associated with a pinched nerve, but you may not know why this sensation occurs.
What is a pinched nerve?
Nerves run throughout your body, sending signals to your brain. Occasionally, a nerve can become pinched or compressed. Basically, surrounding tissues put too much pressure on a nerve. The tissue compressing the nerve can be bone, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure causes the nerve to become inflamed, thus disrupting the nerve’s function. If the nerve is only pinched for a short time, there is no lasting damage, and the nerve’s functions will return back to normal. However, permanent nerve damage can occur if the compression lasts for an extended period of time.
What causes it?
Nerves can become compressed for a number of reasons, such as:
- Repetitive motion
- Injury
- Poor posture
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Holding your body in one position for an extended period of time
How do you know if you have one?
Pain is the most common symptom, but nerve compression isn’t always accompanied by pain.
Some of the other, more common symptoms in the affected area include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Aching or burning pain
- Muscle weakness
Symptoms can become heightened with certain movements like turning your head. There are times when you could experience only pain, but no other symptoms. Other times, you might suffer from other symptoms, but feel no pain.
Nerve compression in your arm or neck can also cause these symptoms in the following:
- Elbow
- Hand
- Wrist
- Fingers
Are you experiencing the symptoms of a pinched nerve?
At Advanced Wellness and Rehab, we have a highly experienced staff with one goal in mind: your wellness. We offer physical therapy, which will aid in stretching and strengthening the muscles in the affected area in order to relieve pressure on the nerve. Call us today to make an appointment!
