A pinched nerve occurs when a great deal of pressure is put on a nerve. The pressure can come from bones, muscles, or tendons and causes the nerve functions to become disrupted. A pinched nerve can occur anywhere in the body. The multiple symptoms include:
- Sharp, aching, or burning pain
- Tingling (pain & needles sensation)
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Affected body part feels like it “falls asleep”
- Symptoms may be worse when sleeping
Risk Factors
Weight
Being overweight causes extra stress on your body. That added pressure could cause your nerves to become compressed. Maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce the chances of a pinched nerve occurring.
Gender
Women have a higher likelihood of developing conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies show that women are more sensitive to pain than men. The main reason for this is that women’s bodies work differently than men’s do.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are bony projections that form in the joints. They occur because of joint damage usually due to conditions like osteoarthritis. Most bone spurs have no symptoms and go undetected for a long period of time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body beings to attack itself. The condition doesn’t directly affect the body’s nerves but because the body is damaging it’s own tissues, it can cause the tissues to put pressure on the surrounding nerves.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure from surrounding body tissues is applied. It can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers. People who have a thyroid disease are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diabetes
People who have diabetes have a higher risk of nerve compression and are prone to suffering from diabetic neuropathy. When diabetic neuropathy occurs, it can damage nerves throughout the body causing mild to severe pain.
Overuse
Overuse and repetitive movements can cause a pinched nerve. Repeating a motion can cause inflammation in your body, which results in the nerves becoming compressed.
Pregnancy
When someone is pregnant along with weight gain their body begins to hold more water than normally. The excess weight can cause added pressure on nerves resulting in pain.
When Should I See a Doctor?
To diagnose a pinched nerve, the doctor will have to perform a physical examination. They will also need a very detailed patient history and will possibly order tests and imaging to help diagnose and determine a treatment plan. If at home treatments, like pain relievers and rest, don’t help to ease the pain, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest a splint or brace, physical therapy, or even surgery if nothing else helps to ease the pain.
How Alabama Pain Physicians Can Help
At Alabama Pain Physicians, our goal is to better the quality of life of our patients. We take your pain seriously and strive to establish an accurate diagnosis along with a treatment plan to ultimately minimize your pain. To determine the exact cause of you pain, our physicians will perform a physical exam and use your complete medical history to help find the best treatment options suited for you. In addition to the physical exam and history, you may also need imaging studies and test to help the physician determine the cause of your pain. Contact Alabama Pain Physicians today and let us help get you on the right track to managing your pain.
