Health

Warning Signs of a Pinched Nerve to Look Out For

You can get a pinched nerve anywhere in your body, including your feet, spine, or hands. Pinched or compressed nerves result from a nerve being pressed between two hard surfaces like tendons, ligaments, or bones. They are responsible for offering sensation to several parts of the body, so if they are compressed, it can result in significant pain. While pinched nerves can easily resolve independently, not all resolve easily and might be a source of chronic discomfort. Fortunately, if you are experiencing Roswell pinched nerve, there are available and effective treatments. But how do you know if you have a pinched nerve? Here are the warning signs of a pinched nerve to look out for.

Burning Sensation or Pain Radiating Down Your Leg

Sciatica is one of the common conditions caused by a pinched nerve. This occurs when the sciatic nerve gets compressed or pinched where it exits your lumbar spine. The sciatic nerve extends from the lumbar spine to your leg through your buttocks. Therefore, when the nerve gets compressed, you might feel burning sensations or pain that radiates down your leg. You might also experience pain extending from your neck to your arm.

Numbness

Nerve compression normally blocks the communication between the nerves in your arms, legs, or other body areas and your brain. You can feel numb in those body parts or experience a lack of sensation such as when you sleep in a certain position. 

Tingling Sensation

Prickly sensations, also known as paresthesia, are another pinched nerve symptom. This occurs when the signals between the brain and the nerve are not completely blocked. Instead, they are only interfered with to cause prickly sensations. This is a common warning sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pain That Changes When You Change Positions

It is common for pain to worsen or lessen when you move your position. However, the way the pain changes can determine the cause of the pain. For people with sciatica, pain often lessens when lying flat on your back or leaning forward from a sitting position. It often worsens when you lie on your side or lean forward from a sitting position.

Muscle Weakness

In severe cases, muscle weakness might occur because the nerve that controls a muscle is irritated. For instance, if the nerves in your legs are pinched, it may interfere with brain signals causing general weakness in your legs. You might also experience muscle weakness through poor grip strength and difficulty writing or performing other tasks. If not corrected earlier, these muscles might decrease in function and size.

Bladder Or Bowel Incontinence

The nerves in your back are not only used in your feet movements. They also play a part in controlling your bowels and bladder. If your lower back nerve is severely pinched, you might experience bladder or bowel incontinence.

Warning signs of a pinched nerve can vary from localized or radiating pain to burning, tingling, numbness, or loss of function.   If pinched nerves persist, it could result in more serious problems like permanent nerve damage. Normally, pinched nerve treatment often goes down to getting plenty of rest, but it is essential to consult an orthopedic specialist for an appropriate diagnosis. Sometimes, your doctor might recommend physical therapy, steroid injections, oral corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, or even surgery.

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