Pinched Nerve In The Spine - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Pinched nerve in the spine

A pinched nerve in the spine is a pathological condition that is formed due to the compression of certain nerve endings. These are those that extend to the nearest vertebrae in the spinal cord. In 30% of cases, the cause of this phenomenon may be a hernia, protrusion or spasmodic muscles. This condition is associated with obvious painful sensations. The most common types of pinching of nerves in this area should be considered pinching of the sciatic and cervical nerves. It is equally likely to occur in both men and women after 35 years.

Content:

• Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the spine
• Causes of a pinched nerve in the spine
• Diagnostics of the pinched nerve in the spine
• Treating a pinched nerve in the spine

Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the spine

The main signs indicating a pinched nerve in the spine are:

• Painful sensations in the nerve that has been affected;
• Similar sensations in the internal organs (heart, stomach);
• Muscle spasms.

Sudden painful sensations provoke pinching of the sensory nerve. However, if the motor or autonomic nerve becomes pinched, then the pain, even the most insignificant, does not appear at the initial stage. As a result, a person may face dysfunction of the internal organs for no apparent reason, but this impression is deceiving.

If a nerve is pinched in the spine near the lower back, a kind of "lumbago" is formed, in other words, lumbodynia.

This name fully reflects the nature of painful sensations:

• Suddenly shooting and, at the same time, burning;
• The distribution of symptoms can be insignificant, for example, affect only the lower back or be given to the rest of the spine. In such a situation, a protective muscle reaction in the form of a spasm is additionally formed. At the same time, the painful sensations are so strong and sharp that a person freezes for a long time in a specific position in which he was caught by pain;
• The duration of an attack of pain can be very different: from two to three minutes to the same number of days;
• The attack ends as abruptly as it began.

After it, a slight pain is formed in the lumbar region, which passes quickly enough. But the fact is that such attacks can be repeated. Over time, they become more and more durable. In this regard, it is necessary to undergo an examination and determine the true factors due to which the nerves in the spine were pinched.

If you start this potentially dangerous process, then serious complications can arise, for example, inflammatory processes of the back nerve. This is because muscles that experience spasms can destabilize the nutrition of nerves and surrounding tissues due to their compression. In this regard, it is important to pay attention to what factors triggered the formation of a pinched nerve in the spine.

Causes of a pinched nerve in the spine

At the moment, experts distinguish two main categories of factors affecting pinching:

• Problems with the nerve in the spinal column in the vast majority of cases arise as a response to inflammation or simply worsening in osteochondrosis, as well as to hypertonicity of the back muscles. With the first problem, the processes associated with dystrophy in the intervertebral discs can provoke a narrowing of the gaps between the nearest vertebrae. If we talk about hypertonicity of the back muscles, then this further burdens the presented algorithm, because very often the pinching of the branches of the nerve endings of the cerebrospinal fluid by the discs is noted;
• In all other situations, the nerves in the spine are pinched by the muscles that have undergone spasms. Along with nerves, pinching of blood vessels is also noted. This can lead to a serious deterioration in the blood circulation algorithm in the internal organs and the brain. If a nerve is pinched for a long time, then some of the nerve cells are likely to die, which provokes a loss of sensitivity in certain areas of the skin and even in some areas of the body.

Diagnostics of the pinched nerve in the spine

At the initial stage, diagnosis involves a standard X-ray examination of the spine. In some cases, if the diagnosis is in doubt or needs confirmation, additional measures are taken. Thus, the full range of causes of nerve entrapment can be identified using MRI diagnostics, as well as computed tomography (CT). In addition, it is allowed to carry out myelography, or X-ray examination using a contrast agent.

Treating a pinched nerve in the spine

The recovery process in the event of a pinched nerve in the spine should be as complete as possible. In this regard, treatment is carried out using a whole range of measures, as well as the use of special drugs. The most effective methods include reflexology and physiotherapy, as well as osteopathy. In the early stages of the development of the disease, acupressure and general massage, manual and shock wave therapy will be effective. If we talk about the later stages, then it will be correct to resort to electric and vibration massage.

In certain situations, it becomes necessary to use drugs. They help to reduce pain syndrome. In the overwhelming majority of cases, if there are no complications in the form of hernias and protrusions of intervertebral discs, recovery quickly enough gives positive results. In this regard, experts pay attention to the fact that it is advisable not to stop at this stage. Identifying and attempting to correct the root cause of the entrapment is the key to successful treatment.

All kinds of applications (for example, kerosene and soap), as well as baths and compresses using medicinal herbs, are excellent as supportive measures. Thus, a pinched nerve in the spine is a serious problem that reduces performance and generally complicates life. Therefore, special attention should be paid to its treatment, as well as prevention.

Author of the article: Sokov Andrey Vladimirovich | Neurologist

Education: In 2005 completed an internship at the IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and received a diploma in Neurology. In 2009, completed postgraduate studies in the specialty "Nervous diseases".