RELATYV Mobile Pain Management Treatment For Pinched Nerve Pain

Nerves are important structures that transmit sensations, motor function signals, and instructions for the autonomic system. A pinched nerve is something many people encounter that occurs when a nerve is impacted by increased pressure.

This pressure can be due to swelling, damaged tissues, or misalignment of joints and bones. Pinched nerves can manifest throughout various parts of the body, impacting how you feel and move.

The headings below will go into more detail on three specific areas commonly affected by pinched nerves, making it easier to understand.

Neck (Cervical)

A pinched nerve in the neck, also known as the cervical region, can be caused by various factors or health conditions. One of the most common causes is when a nerve becomes compressed from a herniated spinal disc or bone spur in the neck.

Other causes might include inflammation or swelling around the nerve, sustained poor posture, repetitive movements, or sudden twisting or whip-lash of the neck.

When a nerve of the neck becomes pinched, it can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling sensations throughout the neck, shoulders, face, arms, and even the fingertips.

Lower Back (Lumbar)

The lower back, or lumbar, is another common place for individuals to experience a pinched nerve. Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs are just a few of the many conditions that can impact the lumbar spine’s structure and cause nerves in this area to become compressed.

Additionally, chronic health conditions like arthritis or soft tissue injuries that lead to swelling or inflammation around the nerves can contribute to nerve compression. Things like poor posture, repetitive movements, or heavy lifting may also play a role.

Once a nerve in the lumbar area is pinched, it can cause intense localized pain that may extend into the legs, commonly known as sciatica. This can restrict a person’s normal mobility, making even the most basic tasks, such as getting out of bed or going to the bathroom, become a daily challenge.

Wrists (Carpal)

Carpal tunnel syndrome is another very common condition. It occurs when the median nerve within the wrist becomes compressed. It’s typically caused by repetitive hand and wrist movements, underlying medical conditions like arthritis, or traumatic injuries.

The pressure that’s being placed on the medial nerve often stems from inflammation or swelling of the tendons within the carpal tunnel, narrowing the wrist’s passageway. Symptoms of carpal tunnel include numbness and tingling, pain with movement, affected hand coordination, and reduced strength, all making daily tasks more challenging than usual.

Feet (Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome)

Tarsal tunnel syndrome represents a specific form of pinched nerve that occurs in the foot. It is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome but affects the tarsal tunnel, a narrow space on the inside of the ankle next to the ankle bones. This condition arises when the posterior tibial nerve, which runs through the tarsal tunnel, is compressed or squeezed.

Now that we’ve covered what a pinched nerve is and where it commonly occurs, in the next section, we’ll explore why it can be so painful.

What Causes The Pain From A Pinched Nerve?

When a nerve becomes pinched, it loses its ability to function normally, and while pain is usually the first indication something is wrong, the specific symptoms of a pinched nerve will depend on where the compression is and what underlying process is causing the compression.

The headings below explore what occurs when a pinched nerve’s normal functions become impacted, shedding light on the underlying processes that contribute to the painful symptoms you might be experiencing.

Reduced Blood Flow

When any nerve is compressed, or “pinched,” it often experiences a significant reduction in blood flow as the surrounding blood vessels can also be compressed. This leads to a reduction in the vital supply of oxygen and nutrients to the nerve and its surrounding tissues.

This decreased blood flow leads to the nerve not receiving the essential elements needed for normal functioning. As a result, the nerve can start misfiring, causing painful tingling and numbness sensations.

In severe cases, the misfiring nerve may struggle to send crucial messages for mobility and muscle contraction, causing pain during movement or a reduction in muscle strength and tone.

Inflammation

It is well known that inflammation can kickstart and sustain persistent nerve pain. When your body responds to inflammation, it releases certain chemicals (cytokines, chemokines, and lipid mediators), and these chemicals can activate your nerve’s pain receptors, making them more sensitive and causing sensations of pain and discomfort.

In cases of chronic inflammation over a long period of time, these changes can lead to persistent uncomfortable sensations, otherwise known as neuropathic pain.

Put simply, it is like your nerves are receiving mixed messages and are being activated by more stimuli than they would normally be receiving. This then results in long-lasting discomfort that we want to address so as to improve the quality of life of people struggling with neuropathic pain.

Interruption Of Nerve Signals

Another reason for painful symptoms caused by pinched nerves is the interruption of nerve signals. When a nerve becomes compressed, it messes with its normal responsibility for feeling things. This can cause symptoms right at the site of compression, or symptoms might appear somewhere else along the nerve’s communication pathway, like a ripple effect. This is associated with sharp, electrical pain referred to as neuralgia. 

Many people understand this through sciatic nerve pain. The sciatic nerve becomes compressed in the lower back with some pain and numbness occurring here, but pain may also shoot down into the leg along the normal nerve pathway.

If a pinched nerve impacts its ability to control movement, it might make everyday activities tricky. For example, things like forming a tight fist can become difficult for individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerve’s compression acts as a blocker of the normal communication between your muscles and brain.

We recognize the many complexities of a pinched nerve, wherever it may arise. In the next section, we will discuss how the techniques we provide tackle chronic nerve pain to help improve the quality of your life.

RELATYV Mobile Pain Management techniques is a pioneering approach that helps manage chronic nerve pain by going beyond conventional pain management.

It combines three different therapeutic modalities, each targeting specific aspects of nerve pain and recovery. Additionally, this approach can be specifically tailored to address the individual needs of patients experiencing various types of pinched nerves.

Most importantly, the comprehensive RELATYV Mobile Pain Management approach is proudly non-pharmaceutical, non-chiropractic, and non-surgical, incorporating the following therapies:

Sometimes, minor cases of pinched nerves can sort themselves out within a few weeks. But for more complex or persistent issues, it’s not uncommon for symptoms to come and go regularly.

People often try conventional treatments, like nerve pain medications, which can provide some relief. Yet, more and more individuals are exploring options that don’t rely on pain medications and that may bring potential long-term side effects.

We are excited to offer alternative pain management solutions. Many of our patients have enjoyed lasting relief from chronic nerve pain, extending well beyond their treatment sessions.

Starting your journey with RELATYV is easy. Reach out to us today to set up a consultation. Our experienced team will walk you through everything, making sure we tailor our approach to your specific needs and concerns.