Pinched Nerve

Pinched nerve is a common term for a nerve that is being compressed or constricted. Nerves connect the brain to the rest of the body through the spinal cord. If a spinal nerve is compressed, that nerve will not be able to send neurological messages properly. This lack of proper signal will cause a sensory, motor, or autonomic deficiency in the area of the body served by that nerve. Chronic nerve pain is also commonly called neuralgia.

Pinched Nerve / Herniated Disc

Pinched Nerve from Herniated Disc

* Compressed Nerve Causes

* Compressed Nerve Symptoms

* Compressed Nerve Treatments

* Radiculopathy

* Pinched Cervical Nerve

* Pinched Lumbar Nerve

* Chronic Nerve Pain

* Compressive Neuropathy

* Foraminal Stenosis

Spinal Nerves

There are 3 kinds of spinal nerves that connect the spine to the rest of the body:

* Sensory nerves carry feelings such as temperature, pain and texture to the brain.

* Motor nerves carry impulses for movement to various parts of the body

* Autonomic nerves control involuntary processes such as blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion.

Spinal nerves are actually large bundles of nerve tissue that contain different types of nerves. Sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves might all be bundled together as they leave the spine. This is why compression of a nerve might cause several different types of nerve symptoms.

The most common areas to experience a compressed nerve are in the neck and the lower back. These are the areas of the spine that have to move, flex and bend the most. The result of all this movement is lots of wear and tear on the discs and vertebrae.

Recommendation for A Pinched Nerve

There is some amount of controversy what exactly qualifies to be called a pinched nerve. Some professionals believe that a nerve can be compressed by bone only. Others believe that a herniated disc might also cause this condition to occur. Osteoarthritis can definitely cause bone spur formation leading to reduced nerve signal. Herniated discs might create nerve pain for a short time ( a few weeks), but long term nerve pain rarely comes from a herniated disc.

Regardless of the cause of your compressed nerve pain, the most important thing to remember is that the pain is temporary. The fastest way to feel better is to not obsess over the pain, and to have trust in your body to heal the problem.

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Pinched Nerve to Back Pain Home page 5/30/06 Revised 4/2/08