Pinched Nerve Causes – Pinched Nerve

It is important to understand the anatomy of the spine when determining whether you suffer from a pinched nerve. There are vertebrae that are located in three areas of the spine. The first area is the cervical spine (neck); the second is the thoracic (middle back); the third is the lumbar spine (lower back). Each vertebra is separated by a disc. Surrounding the vertebrae are nerve roots and nerves and surrounding the nerves are tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Now that the main parts of the spine have been identified, it is important to understand the function of the vertebrae and discs. The vertebrae allow for flexibility and also protect the spinal cord. The disc acts as a shock absorbing cushion due to its soft, water like substance contained within the nucleus of the disc.

A pinched nerve is one type of damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. This can occur when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s function.
Compression, constriction or stretching may cause a pinched nerve. Other common conditions that may develop are carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. The extent of the damage could be temporary, however the damage could also become permanent.

Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, will determine the condition you may experience. For example, a herniated disc in your lower spine may cause the sciatica nerve to be compromised. If the sciatica nerve is pinched, the pain will radiate through the buttocks and down the leg. Similarly, if pressure is applied to nerves in your neck, shoulder, elbow or other areas of your body, the pain will travel outward from the nerve to the affected area of your body.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

Symptoms may include

Tingling or the feeling of pins and needles
Numbness or decreased sensation in the area of the body affected
Sharp or burning pain radiating outward to the affected area of the body
Coughing, sneezing or straining may aggravate the affected area, most especially if the pinched nerve originates in the spinal cord
Muscle weakness

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Risk Factors for a Pinched Nerve

There are a number of factors that may increase the risk in experiencing a pinched nerve. These may be: Repetitive job activities; Poor posture; Osteoarthritis; Sports or hobbies requiring repetitive movements; and Obesity.

Preventing a Pinched Nerve

Maintain a healthy weight
Maintain good posture
Regular exercise that includes strength and flexibility exercises
While engaging in sports and hobbies, be mindful of any activities that may have repetitive movement and limit those movements

Prognosis of a Pinched Nerve

With rest and other conservative treatments, most people recover from a pinched nerve within a short time and most often with no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal. Should the pressure continue, however, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage may occur. In some cases, surgery is necessary.

Should surgery be required, it is important to have all facts before making this decision. There are a number of risks that may result from conservative surgery. In this day and age, there are breakthroughs in the medical industry and different surgeries are now available to you. A minimally invasive surgery has proven to be very effective and the benefits surpass those of traditional surgery.

Information Supplied By

The Spinal Columns Network

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