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The Anatomy of a Pinched Nerve

The Advanced Physicians Team • September 1, 2021

A pinched nerve occurs when bones, tendons, muscles, and other tissues compress against nerve roots and impair a nerve’s function. Although some pinched nerves resolve on their own, others need the care of a specialist. If you wonder whether your leg, back or neck pain results from a pinched nerve, our team at Advanced Physicians has all the information you require below.



Anatomy

The anatomy of the spinal column can help us understand a pinched nerve better. The spinal cord runs down the middle of 24 vertebrae, which are small bones divided by discs. Your spinal cord enables you to sit, stand, and walk while the discs ensure you don’t feel pain as you go on about your day.


Nerve roots stretch from the spinal cord and through the intervertebral discs and connect to a vast network of nerves in the human body. Over time, the discs deteriorate by becoming stiffer or drying out, and they start to bulge. In turn, the vertebrae on either side of the degenerated disc move closer to each other and form bone spurs. As a result, the vertebrae opening for the nerves to travel become narrower, causing compression.

Causes of Pinched Nerves

Herniated discs commonly cause pinched nerves, where a disc’s jelly-like center pushes out onto the space where the nerve travels and causes pressure on the nerve root. Age-related wear and tear is the primary cause of bulging discs.


A pinched nerve can heal itself over time. However, if surrounding tissue presses on the nerve for a long time, you risk serious issues. In many cases, a person's occupation puts them at risk for pinched nerves. Such occupations involve repetitive motions or holding the shoulder or wrist for long periods. Some workers who complain of pinched nerves include athletes, assembly line workers, and data entry workers.

Symptoms of Pinched Nerves

A tingling sensation, sometimes accompanied by numbness, is often the first symptom of a pinched nerve. Depending on the affected nerve's location, you may also feel a sharp pain on your left or right side. Moreover, the pain may get worse when you change postures.


Muscle weakness is another symptom, along with stiffness, numbness, or decreased sensation. Some patients also lose feeling in the hands, arms, or legs if the pinched nerve is left untreated for too long. Also, nerve compression causes other conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or Sciatica.



PINCHED NERVES TREATMENT - REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT


Diagnosis

A physical exam will help your healthcare provider assess your ability to move your muscles and test your reflexes. In addition to reviewing your medical history, the doctor will order some tests to determine nerve compression. For example, a CT scan shows bone spurs while an MRI scan highlights damaged tissues. Additionally, an Electromyography checks for nerve damage.


Treatment

The treatment options for a pinched nerve depend on its cause and location. For example, a pinched nerve that arises from repetitive options may resolve with adequate rest. Your healthcare provider may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or corticosteroid injections to relieve pain and inflammation. You can also practice at-home measures like proper posture, maintaining healthy body weight, and frequent breaks when performing repetitive motions.


Chiropractic Care for Pinched Nerves


Chiropractic care is an excellent solution for patients who want a conservative and natural approach to addressing pinched nerves. Chiropractic adjustments address spine misalignment to relieve the pressure that tendons, ligaments, and muscles place on the nerves.


As a result, chiropractic care addresses the root cause of pinched nerves for effective treatment. At Advanced Physicians, our focus is restoring your body to full health with a personalized treatment plan that includes chiropractic adjustments, gentle stretching, and physical therapy.


Leaving untreated pinched nerves untreated can result in serious issues. Thus, call Advanced Physicians for chiropractic care to relieve the numbness, pain, and tingling sensation accompanying pinched nerves.

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