A pinched nerve, which is sometimes called a compressed nerve, occurs when there is too much pressure placed onto a nerve by the surrounding tissues. This could be the bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons, or a combination of these. When pressure is placed onto the nerve it prevents it from functioning properly. This triggers a range of unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms as the body tries to warn the brain that the nerve is compromised.
Problems with pinched nerves can vary in severity and longevity. Some issues may be acute but temporary, whilst others can be long-lasting or even permanent. However, the earlier you obtain a diagnosis and start treatment for a pinched nerve, the more quickly you will be able to manage the symptoms. Fortunately, chiropractic care has been shown to be a very effective treatment for pinched nerves.
There are many different things that can cause a nerve to become pinched, and this can happen anywhere along the spine. Some of the most common reasons include:
The exact symptoms that you may experience will largely depend on which nerve is being pinched and which areas of the body the affected nerve serves. Some of the indicators of a pinched nerve that you may notice could include: