What Does a Pinched Nerve Feel Like?

Have you ever felt the sensation of a pinched nerve? It’s not an uncommon occurrence, although often, it’s a fleeting experience due to some sort of temporary pressure on a nerve. For some, the experience of a pinched nerve begins to repeat regularly, or to increase in duration or severity. It’s often at that point that they consult their chiropractor in the hope of finding out what is causing the pinched nerve, or gaining relief from the sensation that the pinched nerve is causing.

Possible Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve doesn’t always give rise to the same sensation. Pressure on the nerve may bring about numbness in a particular location, or that familiar feeling of ‘pins and needles’. In other cases, sharp or burning pain may indicate the presence of a pinched nerve – this is often the case when the pinched nerve is the Sciatic nerve. The term ‘Sciatica’ is used to describe this pain.

Other symptoms of pinched nerve include your inability to move easily, persistent pain, muscle weakness and feeling like your hands and knees are falling asleep. If left untreated, it may even cause permanent nerve damage. Patients may avoid permanent injury if the pressure is immediately eased and the nerves return to their normal function. Leaving your condition untreated for a long period, however, gives a higher risk of permanent damage to the nerves.

Of course, any strong pain or loss of feeling in your body is worthy of immediate professional attention.

What Might Cause a Pinched Nerve?

Generally speaking, a pinched nerve occurs when a muscle, bone, ligament or some other part of your body presses against the nerve. Therefore injuries or conditions that cause inflammation or swelling, or result in changes near a nerve have the capacity to irritate or compress a nerve. Some common suspects when it comes to the cause of a pinched nerve are posture related problems, arthritis, slipped disc, recent injury, and muscle strain.

Pinched nerves may lead to other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. This will depend on the extent of injuries. It may also vary from temporary to more permanent damage.

With local chiropractors in Fitzroy, there is no need to continue experiencing pinched nerve. Getting treated starts by having your physical condition and clinical records checked, as well as having tests conducted. After your diagnosis, the chiropractor will suggest an approach to deal with pinched nerve. Sometimes, it might entail a holistic one that calls for changes to your lifestyle, including your diet and exercise routine.

If you suspect you may have a pinched nerve, call Chiropractor Fitzroy now to make an appointment for a chiropractic examination.