Pinched Nerve Treatment

Pinched nerve is a nerve irritation caused by excessive pressure on the nerves, resulting in symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and numbness. Those suffering from several pain or inflammation as a result of compressed nerves should consult a physician about possible pinched nerve in lower back treatments.

Pinched ulnar nerve treatment is a method of treating ulnar nerve compression in which one of the major nerves of the arm becomes pinched. Originating from a series of spinal nerves in the neck, the ulnar nerve travels through the upper arm, past a shallow groove in the inner elbow, down into the forearm, hand, and fingers. The ulna nerve supplies sensation to the forearm, a small section of the palm, the little finger, and about half of the ring finger.

Because of its importance to the body, damage to the ulnar nerve can have nasty repercussions. When pressure is placed on the nerve, whether because of a direct blow to the elbow or damage and inflammation of surrounding tissue, the ulnar nerve may become compressed, resulting in the condition known as ulnar nerve compression. More often it occurs as a result of direct impact to the nerve as it passes through the inner elbow, whether due to a fall or a sudden collision with an object or person.

Other causes of ulnar nerve compression may include damage due to excessive use, excessive traction in the nerve, or muscle over-development. If the surrounding tissue swells beyond its normal proportions, the nerve may suffer from secondary compression. Bony abnormalities (such as spurs or osteophytes) within the shallow elbow groove between the olecranon and medial epicondyle are common among throwing athletes. A history of injuries to the wrist, elbow, shoulder, or upper back may also increase the likelihood of needing treatment of pinched nerve.

As with other pinched nerve conditions, symptoms of pinched ulnar nerve may develop suddenly or gradually. The individual may experience pain along the back of the elbow or forearm, numbness, or burning. Firmly pressing or tapping the nerve on the elbow may create a feeling of tenderness and an increase in symptoms. In the more extreme cases, a patient will also experience weakness of the hand and fingers. In the cases where the ulnar nerve is pinched as a result of inflammation, symptoms may be exacerbated at night or when first getting out of bed.

Treatment for pinched nerve in elbow and arm is largely determined by the willingness of the patient to rest and let the body recover. A physician may recommend minimizing activities that place huge amounts of stress on the elbow and forearm, including throwing, gripping, opening jars, and playing racquet sports. Resting from these labors ensures that the body can heal without threat of further damage to the tissues. Once the patient can perform these tasks without pain, then the physician will assist him or her in a gradual return to the activities of daily life. However, ignoring the symptoms is likely to exacerbate existing conditions. Once the injury becomes chronic, conventional pinched nerve in elbow treatments may become useless.

The sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in the body, originates in the distal spinal cord in the lower back, travels through the pelvis, and splits into two branches, bringing innervation and sensation to the foot, ankle, lower leg, and the back of the thigh. Because the sciatic nerve is a mixed-function nerve, it contains both sensory and motor neurons, enabling muscles both to feel and move.

Damage to the sciatic nerve can result in a number of conditions, the best-known being sciatica, an inflammation of the sciatic nerve typically caused by chronic irritation of spinal nerves L4-S4. Sciatica is characterized by pain throughout the buttocks, hip, and down the back of the leg. Patients suffering from sciatica may find themselves unable to rotate or bend their feet. Pressure on the roots on the nerve may result in impaired function of the motor neurons, including weakness in the lower leg muscles and, in the more severe cases, impaired gait and an inability to bring the foot upward when walking. A patient may also suffer from sensory disturbances such as paresthesia (an uncanny tingling sensation) or hyperthesia (extreme sensitivity to touch, temperature, and pain). Those who don’t seek treatment for pinched nerve in back may experience wasting of the lower leg muscles.

The most effective treatment for pinched sciatic nerve is rest and relaxation of the affected area. Patients suffering from sciatic nerve compression will benefit from the RICE regimen of Rest, Icing, Compression, and Elevation. RICE is especially beneficial within the first 72 hours after injury and in the mornings when pain and inflammation are at their worst. Those with acute symptoms should refrain from activities that aggravate their condition and ice the afflicted area two or three times daily to keep the blood circulating and reduce swelling. With the approval and supervision of a physician, a patient may also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol to hasten the healing process.

Other sciatica treatment options include physical therapy and core exercises to lessen pressure on the nerve root and strengthen muscles. Hands-on therapy such as massages, mobilization, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) may be necessary to reduce muscle tension that compresses the nerve and restricts its movement. A doctor may suggest pain-free flexibility and neural mobilization exercises to ensure maximum recovery. In some cases he or she may recommend chiropractic nerve pain therapy, which includes a combination of ice therapy, ultrasound, and spinal adjustment, or nerve stimulation therapy in which a small, muscle-stimulating machine lessens severe pain and reduces spasms. Last of all, spinal adjustment therapy, a form of therapy unique to chiropractors, loosens the spine and restores misaligned vertebrae, reducing nerve irritability and spasms.

The sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in the body, originates in the distal spinal cord in the lower back, travels through the pelvis, and splits into two branches, bringing innervation and sensation to the foot, ankle, lower leg, and the back of the thigh. Because the sciatic nerve is a mixed-function nerve, it contains both sensory and motor neurons, enabling muscles both to feel and move.

Damage to the sciatic nerve can result in a number of conditions, the best-known being sciatica, an inflammation of the sciatic nerve typically caused by chronic irritation of spinal nerves L4-S4. Sciatica is characterized by pain throughout the buttocks, hip, and down the back of the leg. Patients suffering from sciatica may find themselves unable to rotate or bend their feet. Pressure on the roots on the nerve may result in impaired function of the motor neurons, including weakness in the lower leg muscles and, in the more severe cases, impaired gait and an inability to bring the foot upward when walking. A patient may also suffer from sensory disturbances such as paresthesia (an uncanny tingling sensation) or hyperthesia (extreme sensitivity to touch, temperature, and pain). Those who don’t seek treatment for pinched nerve in back may experience wasting of the lower leg muscles.

The most effective treatment for pinched sciatic nerve is rest and relaxation of the affected area. Patients suffering from sciatic nerve compression will benefit from the RICE regimen of Rest, Icing, Compression, and Elevation. RICE is especially beneficial within the first 72 hours after injury and in the mornings when pain and inflammation are at their worst. Those with acute symptoms should refrain from activities that aggravate their condition and ice the afflicted area two or three times daily to keep the blood circulating and reduce swelling. With the approval and supervision of a physician, a patient may also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol to hasten the healing process.

Other sciatica treatment options include physical therapy and core exercises to lessen pressure on the nerve root and strengthen muscles. Hands-on therapy such as massages, mobilization, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) may be necessary to reduce muscle tension that compresses the nerve and restricts its movement. A doctor may suggest pain-free flexibility and neural mobilization exercises to ensure maximum recovery. In some cases he or she may recommend chiropractic nerve pain therapy, which includes a combination of ice therapy, ultrasound, and spinal adjustment, or nerve stimulation therapy in which a small, muscle-stimulating machine lessens severe pain and reduces spasms. Last of all, spinal adjustment therapy, a form of therapy unique to chiropractors, loosens the spine and restores misaligned vertebrae, reducing nerve irritability and spasms.