Pinched nerves are frequent; around 85 out of 100,000 persons in the United States suffer from them each year. Pinched nerves can affect individuals of any age, but individuals over 50 are more prone to encounter them owing to arthritis and degeneration in the spine and other regions of the body. Your nerves send feeling impulses throughout your whole body from your brain to your feet and everywhere in between. When a nerve is pinched due to trauma, misuse, bad posture, or slow physical degradation, it signals distress to your brain. While a Roswell pinched nerve can elicit symptoms in one location, it also can convey pain signals to other parts of the body. Pinched nerves can develop anywhere, although they are most frequently found in the spine.

Thoracic spine

The thoracic spine is found in the center of the back and between the ribs. The shoulder blades, chest, and upper abdomen can all be affected by a pinched nerve in this spine area. A ruptured disc, bulging disk, or spinal stenosis can all cause a pinched nerve in this area. You may have pain that is not always associated with a pinched nerve, such as discomfort in the kidneys or diaphragm or tingling around the rib cage. Some of these sensations might be mistaken for a heart attack, pneumonia, or anxiety attack. If these disorders are checked out, investigate the possibility that a pinch causes discomfort in your thoracic spine.

Cervical spine

The cervical spine is a structure in your neck that serves various functions. It safeguards the nerve bundle that runs from the brain to the neck and upper and middle back. It also helps to support your head and its motions. The cervical spine is also responsible for assisting blood flow to the brain. Sensations in the shoulder, head, sneck, arms, hands, and fingers can all be affected by a pinched nerve in the cervical spine. A pinched nerve in the neck can occasionally cause carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.

Lumbar spine

The lumbar spine is located at the base of your spine. Sciatica is a common pinched nerve ailment that produces pain in the buttocks that extends down your leg and even into your foot and toes. However, pinched nerves in the lumbar spine can also cause pain and discomfort in the hips and lower back. Tingling, stiffness, and throbbing or scorching pain are sciatica symptoms. It happens when the large sciatic nerve is squeezed by a disk or the buttocks’ piriformis muscle. You may suffer leg weakness and even difficulty walking, regardless of the cause.

Pinched nerves often heal in three to four days. If home care does not appear to be helping, you may need to consult a doctor. If the nerve pressure is not removed quickly, the nerve injury may become permanent, resulting in persistent discomfort and muscular paralysis. An example of progressive nerve injury is Cauda equina syndrome (CES), a severe consequence of pinched nerves at the spinal cord’s base. If left untreated, the condition can result in incontinence and permanent impairment.

If you feel a pinched nerve or have persistent pain that won’t go away, don’t use over-the-counter pain relievers or limit your activity. Seek medical assistance right away. Call Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center or book your appointment online to learn more about pinched nerve treatments.