What are the Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve occurs when pressure is placed on a nerve by surrounding tendons, muscles, bones, and/or cartilage. If this occurs in the back or neck, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Muscle weakness in the affected area
- Feeling that your hand or foot has fallen asleep
- Pins and needles sensation
- Numbness in the area supplied by the nerve
While these are among the most common symptoms, others could affect you until you recover. The best way to speed up the recovery process is to consult with a medical specialist who can share a detailed treatment plan. This generally includes:
- Resting the affected area
- Physical therapy
- Medication, such as anti-inflammatory drugs
In the event that these conservative treatment methods don’t work, you may need to discuss a surgical procedure with your doctor. The goal of surgery is to take pressure off of the nerve, which in turn relieves you of the symptoms.
A pinched nerve is a common back and neck injury. It’s also an injury that can cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort. Don’t ignore it. Seek medical advice to receive proper and timely treatment. You’ll be glad that you did as you begin to feel better.
Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.
