It’s often a term applied to an unknown sharp pain we experience; “it must be a pinched nerve” we say.  But, while patients may very well be correct in thinking they indeed have a pinched spinal nerve, they don’t know exactly what it is or how to treat it. Taking this into account, we at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics thought we’d take a moment to give you some information for patients who have (or think they have) a pinched nerve.

Anatomy: The Spinal Column, Canal, and Cord

The spine has four regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic.The bones (vertebrae) of each region stack on top of one another to form the spinal canal, which creates a tunnel for the spinal cord to run from the brain to the lower back, down the middle of the spinal column. Each vertebra has a small hole that allows the spinal cord to branch out and innervate different muscles and organs. When a vertebra or spinal disc becomes damaged or diseased, it can pinch one of those many branching nerves and cause a host of unpleasant symptoms, including that sharp “pinch” many describe when they move.

Causes of a Pinched Nerve

Degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, and herniated discs can alter the vertebral structure and pinch a nerve. Some of the most common causes of the above mentioned are:

• Age
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports accidents
• Whiplash injuries
• Heavy lifting injuries
• Arthritis

Once a nerve is pinched, symptoms develop and need to be treated.

Specific Symptoms of a Pinched Spinal Nerve

Symptoms occur in the back and/or the area of the body that the pinched nerve innervates. Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Pain
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Tingling

All of these symptoms can cause day-to-day problems that will persist when left untreated.

Treatments for a Pinched Spinal Nerve

Any, all, or any combination of the following non-surgical treatment options can be used to decrease and/or eliminate symptoms here at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics:

• Decompression Therapy
• Clinical Exercise
• Regenerative Medicine
• Laser Therapies

The Role of a Spine Specialist

The first step in treating a pinched nerve is obtaining a detailed history along with a physical examination. After the underlying cause of the pinched nerve is determined, Dr. Jeff Hall can develop a unique treatment plan for symptom relief and correction of the underlying problem.

Our goal at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics is to design a treatment plan customized to your lifestyle and goals and we use the latest advancements in non-surgical and cutting-edge spine care. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

423-499-0003

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