Trapped Nerve
What is a Trapped Nerve?
Your nerves carry vital messages to and from the brain, and if a nerve gets compressed, it can send pain signals. This is known as a pinched nerve. Cases vary in severity, and in the most serious cases, it can be agonising.
Because your nervous system spans your body, you can develop a pinched nerve anywhere, but it’s most common in areas such as your neck, back, shoulder, elbows, wrists, and hands.
Symptoms of pinched nerve:
- Numbness in the surrounding tissue
- A sensation of tingling or burning
- Pins and needles
- A loss of muscle strength
Sometimes nerve pain extends past the point of origin. This is known as radiating pain. It mainly affects the neck, back, or legs, and generally results from compression of the spinal nerve root.
Common Causes:
Repetetive motion: Engaging in activities that involve repetitive motions can increase the risk of developing a trapped nerve. This includes typing, using a computer mouse, and even playing certain sports
Injury: Trauma or injury to the area where the nerve is located can cause swelling and compression, leading to nerve entrapment.
Arthritis: Inflammatory conditions like arthritis can cause swelling and thickening of tissues around the nerves, leading to compression.
Obesity: Excess weight can increase pressure on nerves, particularly in the lower back and legs.
Posture:Poor posture can lead to misalignment of the spine and other structures, putting pressure on nerves.
How do we treat trapped nerves?
Assessment:Our Physiotherapist will start with thorough assessment to identify the cause and the severity of the nerve compression.
Manual therapy:Depends on the severity of your symptoms our Practitioner may use hand on treatment ,techniques like massage and joint manipulation to relieve pressure on the nerve and improve circulation.
Exercise program:They will give you tailored exercises to strengthen the muscles,improve flexibility and reduce the strain on the affected nerve.
Pain management:They may use methods like electrotherapy to reduce pain, inflammation ,stimulate function and promote healing.
Education and Advice:They may also provide advice on posture,lifestyle and ergonomics advise to help prevent further nerve compression
It’s essential to keep your therapist informed about your symptoms and progress, allowing them to guide you towards the most effective treatment plan. If the issue is severe and physiotherapy doesn’t provide relief for your trapped nerve, they may refer you to a neurologist or orthopaedic surgeon for further assessment and treatment options.
Consider booking a session with our experienced physiotherapist, who can help you manage your symptoms more effectively.