Pinched Nerve Relief & Treatment
Expert Care for Nerve Compression
A pinched nerve can cause severe pain, numbness, and tingling. We offer accurate diagnosis and effective treatments to relieve pressure and restore function.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure disrupts the nerve's function, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
While a pinched nerve can occur at various sites in your body, it is very common in the spine, where herniated discs or bone spurs can compress the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord.
What Causes It?
A pinched nerve occurs when there is compression (pressure) on a nerve. In the spine, common causes include:
- Herniated Discs: Disc material bulges out and presses against a spinal nerve.
- Bone Spurs: Bony growths resulting from osteoarthritis can narrow the space for nerves.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Repetitive Stress: Repeated movements or holding your body in one position for long periods.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam to test your reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength.
To confirm the diagnosis and locate the pinched nerve, you may need:
- MRI: Provides detailed images of soft tissues, showing if a disc or other structure is pressing on a nerve.
- Electromyography (EMG): Measures the electrical activity of your muscles to see if nerve damage has occurred.
- Nerve Conduction Study: Measures electrical nerve impulses to assess nerve function.
Treatment Options
Conservative Care
The most frequently recommended treatment for a pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Other conservative treatments include:
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles in the affected area to relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Medications: NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) or oral corticosteroids to reduce swelling and pain.
- Corticosteroid Injections: Injected near the nerve to reduce inflammation and provide significant pain relief.
Surgical & Minimally Invasive Options
If the pinched nerve doesn't improve after several weeks to a few months with conservative treatments, surgery may be an option to take pressure off the nerve.
- Microdiscectomy: For nerves pinched by a herniated disc.
- Laminectomy or Foraminotomy: Removing bone to widen the space where the nerve passes.
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): For nerves pinched in the neck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Dr. Bidiwala?
- Board-Certified Neurosurgeon
- Minimally Invasive Specialist
- 20+ Years Experience
- 15-year D Magazine Best Doctor
Common Symptoms
- Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve
- Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward
- Tingling, 'pins and needles' sensations (paresthesia)
- Muscle weakness in the affected area
- Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has 'fallen asleep'
When to See a Specialist
See a doctor if your symptoms:
- Last for several days and don't respond to rest and over-the-counter pain relievers
- Are severe or progressively worsening
- Include significant muscle weakness or loss of coordination
- Include loss of bowel or bladder control
Ready to Find Relief?
Don't let spine pain control your life. Schedule a consultation to explore personalized treatment options tailored to your specific condition.