Compressed nerves, also known as pinched nerves, can cause pain or numbness and tingling. They can be caused by injuries, obesity, poor posture, and repetitive movements. Treatment options include rest, physical therapy, medication, and surgery. Regular exercise and good posture can help prevent pinched nerves.
A compressed nerve occurs when a nerve receives pressure or is pinched by the bone, cartilage, or muscles surrounding the nerve. It can also be referred to as a “pinched nerve.” Compressed nerves have multiple symptoms, causes, and treatments. Avoiding common risk factors can help prevent a pinched nerve.
Compressed nerves cause a wide range of symptoms depending on where they are in the body. In some cases, a pinched nerve can be very painful, while other times it can only cause numbness and tingling. There is typically more pain when a major nerve is compressed, such as the sciatic nerves.
Injuries are the most common cause of pinched nerves. When a person breaks a bone or suffers trauma from a car accident, the nerves around the area that was damaged can receive extra pressure, causing them to become compressed. Obesity is another common cause of pinched nerves. Excess fat deposits put pressure on bones, organs, muscles and cartilage, which can easily cause extra pressure on a nerve. Other causes of pinched nerves include poor posture, jobs that cause physical stress due to repetitive movement, sports, and osteoarthritis.
Treatments for compressed nerves vary based on the severity of the condition. The first step, and only treatment in mild cases, is rest and relaxation. Any movement that irritates the affected area should be stopped. You may need a brace to protect the area from painful movement. Other options for treating a pinched nerve include physical therapy, medications and, in worst cases, surgery.
Physical therapy helps people who have a pinched nerve strengthen the muscles surrounding the area, which can relieve some of the pressure. To ease the pain, many doctors will prescribe anti-inflammatory pain medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. After doctors have exhausted all options through physical therapy and pain medications, it may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the nerve through surgical means.
A person can get a pinched nerve without injury and by doing everything they can to avoid the condition. However, there are some things that can be done to prevent them. Regular exercise will help strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and maintain a healthy weight, which can prevent nerve compression. Also, avoiding repetitive motions or pausing while performing repetitive motions will help in prevention. Maintaining good posture at all times will also help prevent nerve compression.
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