How to Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve: 15 Steps

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How to Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve: 15 Steps
How to Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve: 15 Steps

Video: How to Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve: 15 Steps

Video: How to Know If You Have a Pinched Nerve: 15 Steps
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Nerves get pinched and pinched when there is too much tension in the surrounding muscles, joints, and tendons. Symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling and even loss of nerve function may arise, and this can happen in various areas of the body such as the back, neck, wrist or arm. There are several steps you can take to check for pinched nerves, but it's critical to see your doctor as soon as possible if you suffer from pain, tingling, or numbness in a part of your body.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Identifying the symptoms

Use Reflexology to Relieve Chest Pain Step 20
Use Reflexology to Relieve Chest Pain Step 20

Step 1. Watch for muscle weakness

This is a common symptom of nerve compression; see if there is any interference in your strength to see if any nerves are bad.

If there is compression in a nerve in the wrist, for example, the function of the fingers and the firmness of the hand may be affected

Alleviate Back Pain Naturally Step 17
Alleviate Back Pain Naturally Step 17

Step 2. Notice if there is a feeling of “needles”, called paresthesia

It is usually described as if a needle was being stuck in the arm, or as if there was an itch. When you notice tingling, pain, or weakness, it may be that a nerve is under pressure.

Get a Crick Out of Your Neck Step 6
Get a Crick Out of Your Neck Step 6

Step 3. Sharp or intense sensations of pain, in addition to burning, can also indicate this problem

In certain cases, there is discomfort in an area of the body or pain that radiates from one location to another. For example, if the affected nerve is in the neck, a sharp pain appears only in that region or a discomfort radiating from it.

Sharp pain in the lower back may radiate to the buttocks and legs. Likewise, the presence of pain in the upper back can reach the shoulders and even the arms. Bending, pressing and lifting objects will only make the discomfort worse

Ease Shoulder Pain Step 10
Ease Shoulder Pain Step 10

Step 4. Pay attention to numbness and tingling, which are sensations that appear in the part of the body affected by the pinched nerve

If it is on the shoulder, for example, there is a chance of numbness in the shoulder itself or in part of the arm.

Be Drug Free Step 20
Be Drug Free Step 20

Step 5. Note if symptoms worsen at night

On occasion, individuals with a pinched nerve will have sleep disturbances due to increased pain at night. They have difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position, as almost all of them feel uncomfortable.

Sleeping on your back or on your side can increase pressure on your spine and neck, compressing the nerves in those areas and making your symptoms worse

Part 2 of 3: Looking for a diagnosis

Apply Shoulder Injury Compression Wraps Step 3
Apply Shoulder Injury Compression Wraps Step 3

Step 1. If symptoms caused by compression persist for more than a week, see your doctor

This is important, especially if they don't respond positively to hot compresses or over-the-counter medications. Let him know what symptoms you have, when they started, and what minimizes them (if any).

  • It is also critical to report any recent changes in your physical activity levels and bowel and bladder function to your doctor.
  • Be aware that not treating a pinched nerve can lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
Be Honest with Your Doctor Step 1
Be Honest with Your Doctor Step 1

Step 2. Have a physical examination

The doctor will examine the body, looking for signs of a problem; you must specify where you are experiencing discomfort. For example, if there is numbness and tingling in a region of the leg, point it out during the consultation.

Over time, the pinched nerve can lead to swelling, pressure, and even scar tissue. The doctor may be looking for such signs, so report any of these symptoms

Alleviate Back Pain Naturally Step 20
Alleviate Back Pain Naturally Step 20

Step 3. Submit to exams

The doctor may not be able to make a diagnosis according to symptoms and a physical test; it may be necessary to perform more in-depth examinations to identify the problem. Some of them are:

  • Magnetic Resonance: This test can be ordered to obtain images of the affected region. Through powerful magnets and radio waves, internal body images are generated.
  • Nerve conduction study: In this test, a series of electrodes are placed on the skin to measure the response of the nerves when small electrical waves pass through.
  • Electromyography (EMG): a test in which a needle is inserted into muscles where the patient has symptoms of pinched nerves. Reactions are tested to determine if there is any nerve damage.
  • X-ray: The nerves are not shown, but the images help the doctor find bone degeneration and changes due to arthritis.

Part 3 of 3: Assessing Risk

Be Honest when She Asks if an Outfit Makes Her Look Fat Step 2
Be Honest when She Asks if an Outfit Makes Her Look Fat Step 2

Step 1. Obese people are at increased risk of nerve compression

Obesity can make patients prone to this condition, as excess mass puts pressure on different parts of the body.

Control Psoriasis Step 18
Control Psoriasis Step 18

Step 2. The person's gender also influences risk

Women are more likely to experience nerve compression as they are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that leads to numbness and tingling in the thumb and middle and index fingers.

  • The back is not affected, but the hands and arms suffer a lot.
  • When women get pregnant and gain a lot of weight, the chance of having nerve compression increases.
Sit at Work If You Have Back Pain Step 6
Sit at Work If You Have Back Pain Step 6

Step 3. Analyze your recent lifestyle and activities

A nerve can get pinched after repetitive exercise or strenuous activities; think about your hobbies, daily activities, and anyone else who may have contributed to the problem.

For example, knitting or typing on the computer are repetitive activities that can lead to compression of a nerve in the wrist. Likewise, strenuous activities such as running can end up putting pressure on a nervous area in the back or hip

Know if You Have a Pinched Nerve Step 9
Know if You Have a Pinched Nerve Step 9

Step 4. Rheumatoid or wrist arthritis is also a possible factor

Individuals with such conditions are also at increased risk of nerve compression. If you have arthritis, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible to reduce the chances of compressing them.

Cope After a Food Binge Step 13
Cope After a Food Binge Step 13

Step 5. Family history must be taken into account

If a relative has already had the condition, there is a greater chance of developing it; certain individuals are predisposed to nerve compression due to family history. Talk to your relatives and find out if anyone has ever suffered from this condition; even the most distant can influence.

Likewise, the risk of nerve compression is greatly increased if someone in the family has disorders that lead to obesity or arthritis, as it is a consequence of such health problems

Know if You Have a Pinched Nerve Step 11
Know if You Have a Pinched Nerve Step 11

Step 6. The “parrot beak” (osteophyte) is another common problem

This condition makes the spine stiff, leading to loss of flexibility; consequently, the space for the nerves in it becomes much smaller, causing compression.

Generally, the “parrot's beak” forms where the bones meet, that is, in the joints. Still, they can appear in the column too. Technically, they are called osteophytes or spurs, as they are small bony projections that protrude on the edge of the bones. This is really bad for your nerves

Apply Shoulder Injury Compression Wraps Step 5
Apply Shoulder Injury Compression Wraps Step 5

Step 7. Poor posture can be very harmful in relation to nerve compression

Sitting in any shape or posture can cause spinal misalignment, putting pressure on nerves.

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