What is a Pinched Nerve?

By: Stacie Cole, PT, DPT, Cert. DN

View all conditions and services

What is a Pinched Nerve?

Have you ever felt a sharp, shooting pain down your arm or leg or noticed a strange numbness, tingling, or weakness? You might be experiencing a pinched nerve, a common condition often referred to medically as radiculopathy. This happens when a nerve root, especially one in your neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar), gets irritated or compressed. Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the neck, affects about 83 out of every 100,000 people each year, while lumbar radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the lower back, is found in 25% of all low back pain cases.

What Causes a Nerve to Get "Pinched"?

  • Herniated Intervertebral Discs: These are the soft, gel-like cushions between your spinal bones. If one bulges or ruptures, it can press directly on a nerve. Herniated discs account for 22% of pinched nerve cases.
  • Bone Spurs: These are abnormal bony growths that can develop on your spine, narrowing the space where nerves exit.
  • Spinal Instability: If your spine isn’t properly aligned or stable, it can put pressure on nerve roots.
  • Trauma: Direct injuries to the spine or surrounding areas can lead to nerve compression.

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

  • Pain in the Extremities: This is often a hallmark symptom of a pinched nerve, with pain radiating down your arms or legs.
  • Motor Weakness: You might notice a significant decrease in strength in the affected limb.
  • Dermatomal Sensory Impairments: Experiencing numbness, tingling, or altered sensations like pins and needles.
  • Diminished Reflexes: Your body’s automatic responses, like the knee-jerk reflex, might be weaker than usual or even absent.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Interventions: These are often the first approach to help treat a pinched nerve, and they are highly successful! Physical therapy (PT) is a cornerstone of non-surgical treatment. A physical therapist can employ a range of techniques to help alleviate pressure, improve mobility, and reduce pain. These techniques may include mobilization, manipulation, traction, soft tissue mobilization, neurodynamics, and exercise.

Surgical Interventions: Non-surgical treatment may not be successful if you present with significant motor weakness, pronounced sensory impairments in a specific dermatomal area, and/or absent reflexes. In such cases, it’s essential to seek further medical evaluation, as surgical intervention may be warranted to prevent further damage and provide relief.

Sheltering Arms Institute has licensed physical therapists who can treat issues relating to pinched nerves and help prevent future damage. To schedule an evaluation, contact us online or call (804) 764-1000.

Resources:

Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

Try Before You Buy: Exploring Assistive Technology

From a simple magnifying glass to voice-activated smart devices, technology is everywhere, and the right tools can support daily routines, connectivity with family, and safety within the home. However, with all the options available, how do you know what technology is right for you? And, once you find a device, what type of model and features should you choose? See how Sheltering Arms Institute’s Assistive Technology Lab can help.

Caring for the Caregiver

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor the dedication, compassion, and resilience of caregivers. Whether caring for a loved one recovering from trauma, illness, or injury, caregivers play an essential role in the healing process. However, caregiving can be overwhelming and emotionally demanding. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help caregivers take care of themselves so they may care for others.

Diet Tips to Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other health complications. A healthy lifestyle of exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and diet can help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. When it comes to your diet, the best one to follow is a dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet, or similarly, the Mediterranean diet. Learn specific dietary changes you can implement to help lower blood pressure.

Heat vs. Ice – Which is Better for Your Pain?

Are you experiencing pain or swelling, but are unsure if you should reach for an ice pack or a heating pad to find relief? Choosing the right therapy can help relieve discomfort and promote healing. Learn when to apply cold or heat to get the best results.

Coping with Anxiety After A Stroke

It’s common for stroke survivors and their family members to feel anxious after a stroke. So much changes so suddenly. As a stroke survivor myself, I certainly experienced anxiety: in the hospital, at the rehab center, and after I returned home. Not only were my physical and mental abilities different, but my family had to adjust as well. From coping with uncertainty to rebuilding daily routines, learn how to manage post-stroke anxiety and regain a sense of control.

View All Posts

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.