Understanding the Causes of Pinched Nerves

If you suffer with aches and pains throughout your body, pinched nerves might be the reason. Pinched nerves are a common problem, affecting about 85 out of 100,000 Americans every year. But what causes them?

Ronak D. Patel, MD, leads our team of specialists at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute where we can relieve your symptoms of pinched nerves. At our practices in Plainsboro Township and Manalapan, New Jersey, we take a conservative approach to treat your pain, using regenerative medicine and other extensive advanced treatments to help you feel better so you can get back to your daily routine.

Let’s first look at how pinched nerves occur.

Causes of pinched nerves

When you have nerves that get compressed by too much pressure, they get squeezed, which cuts off their function that brings coordination to certain parts of your body. This can be caused by:

• Injury or trauma
• Arthritis
• Continuous, repetitive motions
• Obesity
• Stress

Your nerves travel through narrow spaces in your body surrounded by very little tissue. When they get pressed between your ligaments, tendons, or bones, pain or other various symptoms can begin to set in. 

In many cases, pinched nerves can be relieved. If the pressure can’t be alleviated, you can experience nerve damage, which can become permanent.

Symptoms of pinched nerves

If you have pinched nerves, you might experience any of the following in certain areas of your body:

• Numbness
• Tingling sensations
• Sharp pain
• Achiness
• Weakness in your muscles

When your nerves are compressed for extended periods of time, the protective barrier around them can break down, causing fluid to build up that can provoke swelling and scarring.

Prevention of pinched nerves

Not all cases of pinched nerves can be avoided, but you can decrease your risk by following these steps:

• Stretch your body
• Stay within a healthy weight range
• Stand up and sit up straight
• Change your position often when sitting for long periods of time
• Don’t cross your legs for very long

Staying proactive and consciously aware of moving your body can ward off the development of pinched nerves. If you already have pinched nerves, in many cases, these simple practices alone can help you fully recover. 

Help for your pinched nerves

Dr. Patel and our team use noninvasive therapies to offer relief. We also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications that can help manage your condition.

Once we have an accurate diagnosis of your condition, we consult with you about our many advanced treatments and work together with you on choosing the right one for a successful outcome.

If you suffer from pinched nerves that cause uncomfortable symptoms, contact Dr. Patel and our team today at the location nearest you. Call or request your appointment online. If you have questions before your visit, feel free to send us a message.