Spinal pinched nerve treatment typically beings as an attempt to manage the symptoms associated with the compression of neural tissue within the spine. These symptoms might include localized pain, pain that radiates to other parts of the body, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. While many people associate the term “pinched nerve” with the sharp discomfort caused by a muscle strain (usually in the neck), this is not the case. Rather, a pinched nerve is usually defined as a spinal nerve root that has become impinged, or trapped, by an anatomical abnormality within the spine. Although these abnormalities can be caused by traumatic injury, they are more often related to deterioration that occurs during the aging process.

Anatomy of a Pinched Nerve

What is the technical definition of a pinched nerve? As mentioned, it is compression of one of the nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord. From the neck to the tailbone, pairs of nerve roots branch off at each vertebral level. In a healthy spine, these nerve roots have plenty of space to act as conduits between the central nervous system and the rest of the body, transmitting sensory and motor messages back and forth. When the spaces, or channels, where nerve roots travel becomes restricted, the nerve root or roots become vulnerable to compression.

What might cause the space around a nerve root to become restricted? Any sort of anatomical disruption within the spinal column, whether caused by an injury or age-related degeneration, could place the nerve roots in jeopardy. Age- or injury-related conditions that might lead to nerve compression include:

– Osteoarthritis of the spine

– Spinal stenosis

– Foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the nerve root channels)

– Bone spurs (osteophytes)

– Bulging disc

– Herniated disc

– Spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage)

Genetic conditions such as scoliosis might also cause spinal nerve compression. In fact, genetics are believed to play a prominent role in the development of most of the degenerative spine conditions that can lead to a pinched nerve. Regardless of the cause, nerve compression can occur at any level of the spine. It is most common in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) regions, where the vertebrae and other anatomical components are most flexible and bear the most weight.

Pinched Nerve Treatment Options

Surgery is almost always the last resort for dealing with symptoms of nerve compression. The pain and other symptoms normally can be managed using a combination of conservative treatments, including anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise, stretching, and other non-surgical methods. Finding the right combination of treatment methods might require a period of trial and error, because no two patients respond in exactly the same way to all treatments. If the symptoms remain debilitating – or get worse – over the course of several weeks or months of conservative treatment, surgery might then become an option. When surgery becomes a consideration, it is important to consult with a physician to make sure all conservative treatment options have been exhausted. It is also recommended that the patient seek a second (and even a third) opinion about the diagnosis and determine whether other nonsurgical forms of pinched nerve treatment may be available.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of pinched nerves and several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for pinched nerves and other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/pinched_nerve/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of pinched nerves and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Pinched nerve