If you have ever experienced numbness or tingling after banging your elbow or knee on a hard surface, then you have experienced symptoms of an irritated nerve. In fact, you could think of this like a temporarily pinched nerve. Pinched or irritated nerves cause numbness and tingling in the affected area. This can also be painful and leave the affected area feeling weak. In some cases, the symptoms of a pinched nerve resolve quickly, but other times treatment is needed to help speed the process along. If you are suffering from a pinched nerve that just will not go away, here is what you need to know.
WHAT CAUSES A PINCHED NERVE?
A pinched nerve occurs when a lot of pressure is placed on a nerve by nearby cartilage, muscles, bones, or tendons. Nerves send signals to the brain from the body. When too much pressure is placed on a nerve, the nerve becomes irritated. This causes the pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that people may feel when a pinched nerve occurs.
WHAT CAUSES PINCHED NERVES TO OCCUR?
Pinched nerves can occur anywhere in the body, but are very common is areas such as the neck, back, arms, and legs. For many people, problems caused by pinched or irritated nerves are often better while active and worse while at rest. This can cause sufferers to have difficulty sleeping due to the discomfort. Pinched nerves are commonly caused by:
- poor posture
- disc bulging or herniation
- stress from repetitive motions
- bone spurs and other degenerative changes (arthritic changes)
- accidents and injuries
WHEN A PINCHED NERVE ISN’T A PINCHED NERVE AT ALL:
Nerve pain and paresthesias (tingling and numbness) can be associated with underlying issues that are not caused by direct pressure on a nerve. The following conditions include symptoms that can mimic a pinched nerve:
- diabetic neuropathy
- thyroid disorders
- vitamin deficiencies
- viral infections
- dehydration
For some, the discomfort associated with pinched nerves may resolve without treatment. However, if left untreated, pinched or compressed nerves can cause chronic pain and dysfunction. If you are experiencing a new complaint of nerve pain or a flair-up from a previous issue, you should seek treatment within the first few days from the onset of the symptoms. Call us at 814-777-1558 or click here to book your consultation today!
