You may have heard the term “pinched nerve” and wondered what it meant. A pinched nerve occurs when there is too much pressure on a nerve or when the nerve is too tightly compressed. Any nerve can become pinched or compressed but it mainly affects nerve that run through tight spaces.
Nerves are the electrical wires that carry messages from your brain to your body, so when they are compressed, they disrupt the flow of information. As a result, you may experience a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of a pinched nerve are numbness and tingling, depending upon the location where the nerve is pinched. Some people also experience pain or muscle weakness with a pinched nerve and the pain, numbness, or tingling can travel down the length of an arm or leg.
Here’s the Simplest Form of Pinched Nerve
A short-term pinched nerve can occur when you tuck your foot under your leg when sitting. Pressure from your body on your foot’s nerves can make your foot feel like it has fallen asleep. It may feel numb since nerve singles are reduced. When you move your foot, shake it around a bit, or walk around, you feel tingling as the compression lifts and the feeling slowly returns.
But nerve compression isn’t always temporary. Between the bones in your spine, there are cushions known as discs. This gel-like cushion is made of a tough outer layer and soft inner layer. By absorbing pressure from the weight of your body, the discs absorb shock and support your spine when you walk or sit down.
if you have an injury or age-related degenerative changes, the discs can become damaged, causing them to become thinner with time. When this happens, they don’t work as well at absorbing pressure – which can lead to pinched nerves.
A damaged disc can also herniate. A herniated disc is when the soft center, or nucleus, of a spinal disc bulges out through a crack in the tough outer layer called the annulus. This can press on a spinal nerve root, causing pain that radiates along the nerve. A herniated disc can also cause weakness in your legs or feet or in your arms, depending on where the herniation is.
Other Causes of a Pinched Nerve
A nerve can become compressed for these reasons:
- Direct pressure on a nerve (a herniated disc compressing a nerve is an example)
- Compression from an outside source (like crossing your legs and pressing on a nerve)
- Repetitive microtrauma to a nerve
One of the more common causes of a pinched nerve is carpal tunnel syndrome. An abnormal buildup of fluid inside the wrist pinches the median nerve as it passes through a narrow space at the base of the wrist (the carpal tunnel). The median nerve supplies feeling to the palm side of your thumb and all four fingers except for your little finger. If the median nerve is compressed, you may experience pain, numbness, or tingling in the first four fingers of your hand.
Being overweight can put pressure on your wrists and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome; so, can carrying heavy objects with one hand at a time for a long time. Carpal tunnel syndrome can even progress to weakness in the fingers and hand.
One of the most common causes of pinched nerve pain is arthritis. People with osteoarthritis develop bone spurs that narrow the space through which nerves travel. Too much narrowing places pressure on the nerves that run through the space and cause pinched nerves. Plus, the inflammation associated with some forms of arthritis can place added pressure on the nerve.
Treatment for Pinched Nerves
The treatment options available for a pinched nerve depend on the severity of the pain and where it’s located. In most cases, physical therapy can help by increasing range-of-motion safely stretching exercises can also be beneficial, as well as resting until symptoms improve before resuming normal activity.
Physical therapists may recommend that you use ice packs several times a day for 15 minutes at a time to relieve swelling around your spinal cord or nerve root to reduce pressure on them. Once swelling has subsided, they will give you specific stretching exercises aimed at improving flexibility through extension (arching) or flexion (bending) motions. But it’s important to avoid twisting motions. Stretching should be slow and gentle, as aggressive, or deep stretching can worsen the symptoms of a pinched nerve.
Surgery is usually not necessary for a pinched nerve unless the pressure on the nerve doesn’t improve in 6 to 8 weeks. Certain types of nerve compression are more likely to need surgery, for example, severe carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are signs to watch out for that may indicate a more serious condition. The red flags that indicate you should see your doctor right away include difficulty walking, difficulty using a limb, difficulty grasping objects, a tendency to drop things, and bowel or bladder issues. It is important to see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing these symptoms to ensure nothing is pressing on your nerves, such as a bulging disc.
Lowering Your Risk of Pinched Nerves
There are several ways to lower your risk for a pinched nerve. Be careful when you lift heavy objects. Use your legs to generate force, not your back. Poor lifting technique can cause a disc to shift and press on a nerve in your spine.
If you have a desk job, avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time. Get up every 10 minutes and stretch or walk around for a few minutes. Take frequent breaks when working with heavy equipment. Make sure your desk is ergonomically friendly and work on improving your posture to avoid placing excess stress on muscles, tendons, and ligaments due to poor body alignment.
The Bottom Line
Pinched nerves are fairly common, and most pinched nerves will resolve with conservative therapy. However, it’s important to seek medical attention, as, depending on the location, you may need a splint or brace.
References:
- “Pinched nerve – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 22 Jan. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pinched-nerve/symptoms-causes/syc-20354746.
- “Treating a pinched nerve – Harvard Health.” 26 Jun. 2021, https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/treating-a-pinched-nerve.
- “Pinched Nerve Locations: Where Are They Most Common and What Can You Do ….” 20 Sept. 2018, https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/pain/pinched-nerve-locations-where-are-they-most-common-and-what-can-you-do-about-them/.
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