Pinched Nerves Can Cause Back and Neck Pain in Vacaville

Some people talk about having a pinched nerve in Vacaville, but what is it exactly? To answer this question, it is best to have a bit more understanding of the spinal cord and the types of nerves that can be pinched.

Brain to the spinal cord and beyond

Nerves run from the brain into the arms and legs to send messages to the skin or muscles. The nerves leaving the spine then go into the arms or legs is called a peripheral nerve. Peripheral nerves contain millions of nerve fibers that leave the spinal cord and extend to the other parts of the body like the muscles and skin. These nerves have several functions such as making the muscles move and enable skin sensation.

Nerves carry signals throughout the body

A peripheral nerve can be identified like a fiber-optic cable that contains several fibers covered in an outer sheath. Each of these individual fiber can be perceived as a microscopic garden hose. The green part of the hose resembles the fine membrane, in which a static electrical charge can travel to or from the brain. The internal part of the hose transports fluid from the nerve cell body that nourishes and replenishes the constantly changing components of the green part (membrane).

When a nerve is pinched, the flow inside the hose is blocked or reduced, which prevents the nutrients from being transported. This causes the membrane to lose its healthy ability to transport tiny electrical charges and may cause the death of the nerve fiber. When many of these fibers stop working, a muscle may stop contracting and the skin may feel numb.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve in Vacaville

When the low back has a pinched nerve, it can be perceived as radiating down the leg. The symptoms that a person experiences seem to be traveling into the leg along the usual path. This is where the referred pain comes from.

Muscle spasm in the back can be caused by pinched nerves and can be quite painful.

There are cases where the nerve is pinched but the only symptoms are numbness and weakness in the arm or leg minus the pain. Other symptoms may include a burning, electric, tingling, and a hot/cold sensation.

Pinched nerve treatments

If you woke up feeling like you have a pinched nerve, there are some self-care options available for you.

The pain could be caused by a spasm or strain that puts pressure on the nerve, so the next thing that you can do is to try relaxing your muscles. You can try the following:

• Get a massage
• Use a handheld massager
• Take a hot shower
• Lie down and place a rolled up towel under your back
• Alternate the application of a cold and heat pack on the affected area

Even though you may not feel like it, you should at least keep your body and joints moving to find relief from a pinched nerve. You can do the following:

• Do general range of motion movement and stretches.
• Take a slight stroll every now and then.
• Lie down on a bed/couch and pull you knees up towards your chest.

You can also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or Aleve.

However, if pain continues to persist, make sure to get an appointment with a chiropractic clinic like Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine. You can dial (707) 474-5688 right now to set up an appointment at a time that is most convenient for you.

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