A pinched nerve causes numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness that can occur at any part of the body, depending on the location of the affected nerve. A pinched nerve occurs when tissue like bone, muscle matter, or cartilage obstructs the nerve passageway, causing the nerve to become compressed and disturbing the signals that the nerve carries. If the compression occurs in the neck, or cervical spine, a patient might feel numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the shoulders and all the way down to the hands. Likewise, a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine (lower back) can cause symptoms to be felt in the legs and as far down as the feet. Sciatica is a common type of pinched nerve that occurs in the lumbar region of the spine.
If you are experiencing what you think is a spinal pinched nerve causing numbness, pain, or other symptoms, you should see a medical professional to get a proper diagnosis. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and may issue an MRI or CT scan before designing a treatment plan. Treatment usually begins conservatively, and most patients find relief by resting the affected area and applying hot and cold compresses to the site of the pinched nerve. Other conservative pinched nerve treatment options include pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, stretching and exercise, massage, physical therapy, and steroid injections.
While most traditional therapies are successful in alleviating pinched nerve symptoms, if nerve damage is severe and causes chronic pain, surgery may be an option. Fortunately, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open back surgery. LSI’s procedures are based on state-of-the-art technology to achieve successful results while drastically reducing the risk of tissue damage and scarring that comes with open back surgery. And all of our procedures are done in an outpatient setting using local anesthesia, so patients are able to walk away from our facility within a couple hours of their procedure and then come back the next day for physical therapy.
You don’t have to live with the symptoms of a pinched nerve, like numbness, pain, and other conditions that prevent you from doing the things you love to do. Contact LSI today for more information?and we will begin the process of helping you reclaim your life, starting with a free MRI or CT scan review.
