Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve is a nerve that has too much pressure applied to it (at once, or overtime) by the surrounding tissues (such as bones) in the body. This pressure can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms with varying severity depending on which nerve it is and how intense the pressure is or has been.
Damage from a pinched nerve may be minor, or severe, and could cause short or long lasting effects. It is important to seek diagnosis quickly if you believe you have a pinched nerve, as if left and severe, it may cause irreversible damage to the nerve.
Cause
The pressure causing a nerve to be pinched may be the result of repetitive motions, or from holding your body in one position for long periods, such as keeping elbows bent while sleeping.
Nerves are most vulrenable at places across the body where there is a narrow travel space and where there is little soft tissue to protect them, so these areas in the body are most at risk of a pinched nerve injury.
Symptoms
If you have a pinched nerve, you may get the following symptoms.
- Pain (a sharp or dull ache)
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling ("pins and needles")
- Sensation that your hand or foot has fallen asleep.
