Signs You May Have a Pinched Nerve
Nerve compression (pinched nerve) is a painful condition which usually occurs due to deterioration in the spinal column.
If you’ve experienced back pain which endures for some time, without respite, the cause was most likely a pinched nerve.
Because there are so many causes for pinched nerves, it may be difficult to pinpoint the underlying problem. The sooner you get to a doctor, the sooner you can find out what’s causing your nerve compression and be on the road to pain relief.
Ouch! Pinched nerve?
Localized pain is the early warning system for pinched nerves. It’s your body telling you that something’s going on. But localized pain can also be accompanied by other sensations and may not be indicating the location of the problem.
The pain can very often travel to other parts of the body, seemingly unrelated to the spine. But the problem with nerves is that they connect to body parts like shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs and feet. That makes diagnosis a little difficult.
When the sciatic nerve is pinched, for example, the pain can travel as far as the feet. This is the largest nerve in the human body, traveling down the backs of both legs from the lower back.
When your sciatic nerve is bothering you, pain will manifest on one side, but it will generally affect the entire lower body, on that side.
The sciatic nerve is susceptible to pressure and usually indicates disc compression in the lumbar (lower) spinal column. Along with pain, patients may experience tingling, numbness and weakness, sometimes creating discomfort as far from the site of the problem as the toes.
Reading the signs.
When pain persists and is accompanied by pain or numbness in the extremities, it’s best to seek medical counsel. If left to its own devices, the pain isn’t going to go away. It’s going to become more complex in manifestation.
When compression of the nerve is present for long periods of time without seeking diagnosis, physical sensation can be lost. You may even experience muscle atrophy in the affected area, as well as a reduction in physical dexterity.
When the situation is acute, nutrients may not be getting to the nerve, which causes the death of muscle tissue.
That’s why seeking an early diagnosis is so important. A medical professional can locate the source of the nerve pain, using diagnostic imaging tools like X-rays and MRIs.
Pinched nerve? Come talk to us.
Central Texas Spine Institute is one of the USA’s most acclaimed spine clinics. Led by Dr. Randall F. Dryer, we offer our patients a range of treatment options, from conservative therapies to spine surgery.
Dr. Dryer has been named one of the Top 100 US surgeons by Becker’s Spine and is an innovator in the realm of stem cell therapy.
If you suspect you have a pinched nerve, it’s time to find out what’s going on. Scheduling a consultation is the first step toward restoring the quality of life you enjoyed “pre-pinch”.
