Pinched Nerves Specialist

What are pinched nerves?

Pinched nerves occur when tissue surrounding a nerve presses on it and alters normal function. The compression may cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. 

Pinched nerves may affect many parts of your body, such as your neck, abdomen, lower back, leg, elbow, or wrist. The most common pinched nerves that Pain Management Specialists treats are in the spine, which includes your neck, upper back, and lower back. Less commonly, Pain Management Specialists treats pinched nerves causing pain in the chest, abdomen, arms or legs. 

A pinched nerve in the spine is called radiculopathy and is often caused by a slipped or herniated disc, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. Sciatica is a pain condition that develops from compression of the sciatic nerve. Other pinched nerve conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, meralgia paresthetica and anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.

What are the symptoms of pinched nerves?

Pinched nerve symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include:

• Numbness 
• Dull, aching pain
• Radiating electric shock-like sensations
• Tingling (paresthesia)
• Muscle weakness
• Sensitivity to touch

They’re painful, but you may be able to treat your pinched nerves symptoms with rest, over-the-counter medication, stretching and physical therapy.

However, if your pinched nerve symptoms fail to improve with conservative treatments or your symptoms worsen, Pain Management Specialists can help. 

How are pinched nerves diagnosed?

The physicians at Pain Management Specialists are experts in diagnosing pinched nerves.

When you visit for help with your pinched nerve, your doctor conducts a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of your symptoms and the severity of the nerve damage. 

During your exam, your doctor reviews your symptoms, medical history, and the treatments you’ve used to try to alleviate your pain. They perform a physical exam that may include various tests to assess muscle function and nerve sensation.

To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, your interventional pain management physician may request bloodwork, X-rays, an MRI, or nerve conduction studies. 

How are pinched nerves treated?

Pain Management Specialists takes a patient-centered approach to care and creates customized treatment plans that provide the best outcomes. 

Many pinched nerve conditions respond well to epidural steroid injections and physical therapy. Other treatment options include:

• Cortisone injections
• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Neuromodulation
• Pain medicine 
• Pulsed Radiofrequency ablation

If the interventional pain management therapies fail to alleviate your symptoms, your doctor works closely with top local surgeons to help you get the comprehensive care you need. 

For relief from your pinched nerve symptoms, call Pain Management Specialists or book an appointment online today.