Pinched nerve occurs when a nerve in the back gets compressed. The condition causes severe radiating pain. A host of reasons may trigger a pinched / trapped nerve. The following are the commonest causes and manifestations.
Symptoms Of Pinched Nerve In Upper Back
- Pain in the back
- Pain radiating to the arms and fingers
- Tingling numbness in the fingers
- Constant nagging discomfort
Causes Of Pinched Nerve In Back
- An important cause is herniated disc. When the disc slips out between the vertebrae, it protrudes outwards and compresses the adjacent nerve.
- Sciatica is another common cause. The sciatic nerve gets impinged and generates excruciating pain in the back.
- Pregnant women are highly vulnerable to sciatica pain. The uterus increases in size gradually. The enlarging uterus exerts a pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Remedies For Pinched Nerve In Back
- Application of ice on the back is a beneficial therapy. It helps reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. Place the ice bag for 15 minutes, at least 5 times a day.
- Alternate hot and cold therapy also improves back pains.
- The doctor may prescribe certain medications to ameliorate the pain. Often non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed to help the condition.
- Exercises are decidedly helpful to manage a trapped nerve. They alleviate the pain significantly. Also, the exercises reduce swelling and improve the range of motion. The doctor / physiotherapist may advise stretching exercises to strengthen the muscles of the lower back.
In rare cases, when the patient fails to respond to these therapies, surgery may be needed to re-establish normal position of the herniated disc