How to help yourself with a pinched nerve
Pain, unbearable and sharp, occurring suddenly, aggravated by an attempt to move – this most likely indicates a pinched nerve.
Why is the nerve pinched
Pain, unbearable and sharp, occurring suddenly, aggravated by an attempt to move – this most likely indicates a pinched nerve.
This happens when nerve fibers are compressed by tissues – bones, muscles, tendons, and even tumors. Compression (compression, as doctors say) can occur anywhere. But more often the nerve roots are pinched in the place where they branch off from the spinal cord. This is a radicular syndrome – pinching of the nerves of the lumbar, cervical, thoracic, sacrum.
How to understand that a pinched nerve
By pain – the main sign of pinching. It can be very different: it shoots, pulls, stabs, twists, burns. The pain radiates to other areas in the direction of the pinched nerve. If a person moves, takes certain postures, it intensifies, limiting his movements in the place where the nerve is clamped.
Other manifestations are determined by the location of the damaged nerve.
Symptoms of nerve compression include:
swelling and redness in the affected area;
numbness;
muscle weakness;
tingling sensation;
violation of sensitivity, up to paresis;
violation in the functioning of internal organs.
muscle weakness
What are the causes of pinching
Diseases of the spine – disc protrusion, intervertebral hernia, scoliosis, in the spine (osteochondrosis), spinal injuries.
Joint diseases – arthritis, arthrosis.
Spasms and inflammation of the muscles.
Tumors.
Excessive physical effort, such as heavy lifting, or constant heavy physical exertion, training, especially with weight lifting.
Hypothermia.
Choppy unsuccessful movement.
Long stay in an uncomfortable position.
What to do with a pinched nerve
If there is an attack of sharp pain, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
Take some kind of painkiller: antispasmodic, NSAIDs, analgesic. You can additionally use anesthetic ointments.
Provide complete peace. If your back hurts, lie down on a hard, flat surface, take the most comfortable position, try not to move. If pain has pierced the leg or arm, it is advisable to apply a splint to immobilize the limb.
When the attack passes, go to the doctor.
If a nerve is pinched, ointments can be used
At home, treating a pinched nerve can turn into serious trouble.
How to treat a pinched nerve
Pinching can be caused by a variety of reasons. Only a doctor is able to establish an accurate diagnosis by examining the patient. Therefore, specialist advice is necessary. After all, perhaps pinching indicates a serious pathology. When pinched, the blood supply to the area that the nerve “serves” can also be disrupted, which is dangerous with the risk of complications. In addition, without eliminating the cause, pain attacks will recur.
It is necessary to undergo an examination if, along with pain, muscle weakness, numbness, dizziness, weakness, and sweating are present.
Which specialist to contact? See a therapist or neurologist. You may need the help of other specialists – a surgeon, an osteopath, a chiropractor, a massage therapist. But this will be determined after the examination.
Treatment for a pinched nerve usually includes:
1. Getting rid of pain and inflammation. For these purposes, various painkillers, NSAIDs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections are used. During this period, the patient needs rest.
2. Recovery. Massage, physiotherapy exercises, acupuncture, osteopathic treatment, manual therapy are used.
