Pinched root nerve in the lower back

What is a pinched sciatic nerve?

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the human body. It originates in the lumbosacral region of the back, then passes through the central part of the buttocks, goes to the lower thighs, passes through the calf muscles, heels and ends at the tips of the toes.

A pinched sciatic nerve is the development of inflammation or pathological compression of the largest nerve, in which the outer sheath of the nerve remains intact. But, the nerve endings and fibers are irritated, which leads to severe pain.

In most cases, the process of nerve compression occurs in the area of ​​​​the articulation of muscle fibers of the buttocks, or in the lumbosacral area. In medicine, this pathology is called sciatica. If the cause of the pathology is an inflammatory process, then the disease is called radiculitis.

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Nerve pinching (educational education)
Pinching often occurs when the tissue surrounding the nerve

- bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons put too much pressure on it.

This pressure disrupts nerve function, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness .

A pinched nerve can occur anywhere in your body.

Are you suffering from sharp, stabbing pain in your lower back, neck, arm or leg? Is the area where the pain is localized red and swollen? These are signs of a pinched nerve. Treatment with painkillers will not help, but will only delay recovery.

A pinched nerve can have various causes, often it lies in a disease of the spine,

age-related changes; overload or injury to the spine; growing tumor; microtrauma of nerves;

A herniated disc in the lower spine can put pressure on nerve roots, causing pain that radiates down the back of the leg (sciatic nerve inflammation).

Additionally, a pinched nerve in the wrist can lead to pain and numbness in the hands and fingers. Most people will recover from the effects of a pinched nerve within a few days or weeks.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of pinched nerves are the following: 1) almost constant headaches, dizziness (even to the point of fainting); 2) unstable blood pressure; 3) coordination disorder, unsteadiness of gait; 4) decreased vision; 5) decreased hearing, ringing in the ears; 6) caries and subsequent tooth decay; 7) modification of the voice (weakening its tone, hoarseness, etc.); Snoring during sleep is a symptom of chronic neck muscle tension.

- Numbness or decreased sensations. - Sharp or burning pain. If a nerve is pinched, coughing or sneezing can make the pain worse. - Tingling. - Muscle weakness or cramps in the affected area. -Frequent numbness of the limb.

Problems associated with pinched nerves are especially noticeable during sleep.

Pinching of the autonomic nerve leads to disruption of the functioning of internal organs, expressed in paroxysmal pain in the heart or stomach. Pinched thoracic nerve (intercostal neuralgia) is characterized by pain along the intercostal nerves. In this case, the person cannot move freely, and sometimes it hurts to take a breath.

How to distinguish heart disease from intercostal neuralgia?

With intercostal neuralgia, chest pain often does not go away either day or night. It intensifies when palpating the intercostal spaces, from changing body position (when turning), sudden flexion or rotational movements, as well as when walking, taking a deep breath or exhaling, coughing, sneezing, and even due to excitement.

With angina pectoris (attacks of sudden pain in the chest due to an acute lack of blood supply to the myocardium), the pain quickly arises and passes quickly (within 3-5 minutes), as a rule, it is relieved with nitroglycerin. Heart pain does not change with deep inhalation or exhalation, from a change in position or during movement, and may be accompanied by an irregular pulse, a drop or increase in blood pressure.

If there is pain under the shoulder blade on the left side, be sure to get a cardiogram. To clarify the cause of chest pain, magnetic resonance imaging and radiography may be needed. Pinched nerves in the cervical spine cause pain in the neck, which can radiate to the shoulder and fingers. The pain gets worse when you try to turn your head. Pinched sciatic nerve (a manifestation of lumbosacral radiculitis) is characterized by pain along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back, into the buttock, along the back of the leg, down to the heel.

You should definitely see a doctor if signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve do not go away within a few days and do not respond to measures such as rest and pain medications.

When the radial nerve is pinched , the process of arm extension is disrupted, while the forearm is bent, the hand hangs down, and the fingers are slightly bent.

In this case, a sensitivity disorder in the form of numbness and goosebumps appears on the back surface of the shoulder, forearm, on the posterior half of the hand, the middle phalanges of the thumb, index and partially middle fingers. Pinching of the radial nerve in the lower half of the shoulder and at the beginning of the forearm causes dysfunction of the extensor fingers of the phalanges adjacent to the hand, and the extension of the remaining phalanges is not completely impaired due to the preserved function of the interosseous muscles. When the radial nerve is pinched in the area of ​​the wrist joint, the end of the radial nerve with a large number of autonomic fibers innervating the vessels is injured, which leads to swelling, coldness and cyanosis of the dorsum of the hand. Pain is rare. The functions of the muscles innervated by the radial nerve are restored in the following order: wrist extensors, extensor digitorum communis, abductor pollicis longus muscle. With prolonged pinching of the radial nerve, the muscles that it innervates gradually atrophy (reduce in volume) and lose their functions. Pinching of the ulnar nerve leads to impaired flexion of the hand and abduction, complete impairment of flexion of the little finger, partial impairment of flexion of the ring finger, and impairment of adduction of the thumb. And since the function of the extensors is not impaired, the hand takes on the appearance of a clawed paw: the fingers are extended in the phalanges adjacent to the hand, the middle, ring and little fingers are slightly bent in the middle and terminal phalanges. Sensation on the back of the hand and fingers is also impaired when the ulnar nerve is pinched. There is pain radiating to the little finger and circulatory disorders in this area (the result of autonomic disorders).

Causes

There is too much pressure (compression) on the nerve from surrounding tissue.

In some cases, this may be bone or cartilage - for example, in the case of a herniated spinal disc that compresses the root of a nerve.

In other cases, muscles or tendons may put pressure on the nerve. A number of conditions can cause compression of a nerve or nerves.

Injuries, poor posture, monotonous repetitive movements while doing any work or playing sports.

Excess weight is also a common cause of a pinched nerve. This causes inflammation and dysfunction of the nerve.

If the nerve is compressed for a short period of time, no damage usually occurs. Once the pressure is released, nerve function returns to normal. However, if the pressure persists, chronic pain occurs and nerve damage can occur.

Heredity also plays a role . Some people appear to be genetically predisposed to conditions that lead to a pinched nerve.

A pinched nerve can also be caused by a growing tumor or scarring, for example, after surgery.

In addition, there is a possibility of direct nerve injury. Here, a significant role is given to long-term microtrauma of the nerve during physical stress, the situation is aggravated by prolonged cooling.

Treatment

— Nerve conduction study. Electrodes are placed on the body to stimulate the nerve with a gentle electrical impulse. - Electromyography. This test measures electrical activity in muscles.-Magnetic resonance imaging. - Physiotherapy - Medicines, including anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, corticosteroid injections. — Surgery to eliminate pressure on the nerve. Most often, when a nerve is pinched, it is recommended to ensure that the muscles in the area of ​​​​the affected nerve are immobilized.

Your doctor will ask you to stop any activities that cause or worsen the tightness. Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, a splint or brace may be required to immobilize the body part.

How to treat a pinched nerve?

You will need: A bath with warm water, painkillers and warming ointments or gels, the warm hands of a person close to you.

Heat is a very good method of pain relief. A hot bath and massage of the sore spot with a washcloth will greatly ease your pain. It’s good to use this at the end of the day or at night, if you don’t plan to go anywhere else and have the opportunity to calmly lie down and relax after this procedure. It would be a good idea to wrap the sore spot with a woolen cloth, scarf, shawl or scarf.

Limiting or eliminating physical activity. Try to move outside the home as little as possible. It is advisable to take sick leave for 3-5 days rather than endure pain.

When a nerve is pinched, the most important task is to relax the muscles that surround the inflamed or pinched nerve.

The longer the muscles remain in a calm, relaxed state, the faster the desired result will be achieved.

Use painkillers and warming ointments. Apply the ointment to the affected area, rubbing vigorously for some time, then cover with a piece of cotton cloth and secure with an elastic bandage. You can also wrap the top with some kind of woolen fabric.

How to treat a pinched nerve with massage?

Massage. Perhaps the best method of treating such anxiety. If you do not have the opportunity to take a full course from a good professional, ask one of your family or friends. If you have direct access to the specified area, you yourself have the opportunity to perform simple manipulations. After all, even ordinary stroking or rubbing in an area of ​​the body that causes pain for some time. will increase blood flow and significantly help in relieving the inflammatory process.

Prevention

- Maintain good posture. - Incorporate stretching and flexibility exercises into your regular exercise program. — When performing repetitive activities, frequent breaks are necessary. - Maintaining a healthy weight.

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Series of messages “educational education”:
Part 1 - Sick - know your rights! Part 2 - Patient - know your rights (2) - vaccination... Part 25 - Scabies, what you need to know about it... Part 26 - Look at yourself carefully... Part 27 - Pinched nerve (educational education) Part 28 - Heartburn (educational education) Part 29 — Bruised tailbone and coccydynia (educational program)… Part 43 — medicinal compress (educational program) Part 44 — Delicious medicine… Part 45 — Do you believe it? Be healed!

Symptoms of a pinched sciatic nerve

Pinching of the sciatic nerve causes symptoms primarily in the form of pain along the entire nerve fiber. The pain can be sharp, aching, or shooting with varying degrees of intensity.

Most often, unpleasant sensations affect the posterior region of the buttock, the femoral part of the leg, and may descend to the area of ​​the knee or ankle joint. An increase in the intensity of pain can be provoked by a sharp cough, laughter, as well as a change in body position in a sitting position.

Along the location of the sciatic nerve, sensations such as burning, tingling and numbness of the skin may occur.

Pinching of the sciatic nerve of the leg is accompanied by difficulties when walking. It becomes difficult for the patient to stand for a long time, and while walking he begins to limp on his sore leg. Among other things, the pathology may be accompanied by such symptomatic signs as:

limitation of motor activity of the legs, lower back, knees and feet;

increased body temperature;

weakness in the muscle fibers of the affected leg;

an increase in the intensity of the manifestation of the above-described symptoms when changing from a standing position to a sitting position.

Pinching of the sciatic nerve in the female half of humanity occurs much less frequently than in the male half. In women, sciatica is accompanied by pain in the ovaries and other pelvic organs.

In men, the manifestation of this pathology in terms of symptoms resembles the development of prostatitis with discomfort in the pelvic organs.

Typical symptoms

When pinched, a person either experiences severe, sharp pain, or symptoms develop gradually. But it’s not just pain that causes inconvenience in such a situation. It all depends on which nerve is affected.

Some nerve fibers of the human body exhibit less pain when their function is impaired (for example, the auditory nerve). Damage to others (for example, motor) causes severe irritation, pain and nausea. In addition, numbness, tingling, and dizziness may occur. A typical diagnosis for the complex of these phenomena is cervical syndrome, when the nerve fibers in the neck are affected and irritated.

If the sciatic nerve is affected, the person feels pain starting in the lower back and spreading along the back of the thigh to the lower leg. When a nerve is pinched in the shoulder area, the pain spreads to the arm.

Signs of pinching:

• severe pain (tingling, burning);
• movement disorders;
• numbness;
• tension in surrounding muscles;
• loss of reflexes;
• paralysis;
• pain worsens when coughing or taking a deep breath;
• often the pain extends beyond the affected area;
• dizziness;
• lightheadedness;
• profuse sweating;

Rarely:

• bladder weakness.

Main causes of pathology

Pinching of the sciatic nerve occurs due to the following reasons:

Development of intervertebral hernia. Rupture of the fibrous ring provokes displacement of the intervertebral discs, against the background of which the nerve roots are pinched and the inflammatory process begins to develop. The appearance of painful sensations indicates an advanced form of pathology.

Multiple sclerosis.

Chondrosis or arthrosis of the lumbar spinal column, which is characterized by the growth of cartilage tissue in the area of ​​​​the articulation of the intervertebral discs, which leads to compression of the sciatic nerve and the development of the inflammatory process.

Infectious diseases, especially untreated ones.

Displacement of intervertebral discs as a result of trauma or a congenital defect.

Severe hypothermia of the entire body.

Poisoning and the process of intoxication in the body due to diabetes mellitus, or the penetration of toxic compounds from food or drink.

Regular occurrence of constipation.

Frequent stressful situations at work or at home, depression, nervous tension.

Development of tumor pathologies.

Work involving excessive physical exertion.

Inflammation of the piriformis muscle.

The psychological cause of pain when the sciatic nerve is pinched in men and women is highlighted separately.

Pinched sciatic nerve in a woman

Pinching of the sciatic nerve in women most often occurs on the right side. This is explained by the fact that in women the left hemisphere of the brain is more developed, and since the hemispheres exercise control over the opposite side of the body, any conscious depression can cause sciatica.

In addition, in women, symptoms of a pinched sciatic nerve often occur during pregnancy against the background of a sharp decrease in the body's immune defense system and a shift in the center of gravity.

After successful delivery, the pelvic bones in the female body begin to return to their original place, which can also provoke sciatica with constant relapses in the future.

Pinched sciatic nerve in men

Pinching of the sciatic nerve in a man, unlike in a woman, occurs on the left side, since in the male half of humanity the right hemisphere of the brain is more developed.

Treatment of a pinched nerve

When a nerve is pinched, the first priority in therapy is to relieve pain. The patient's well-being and the return of physical activity are important.

Depending on the cause of the compression, the doctor has different treatment methods at his disposal. The patient himself has the opportunity to positively influence the outcome of treatment. If the pain disappears after the first procedures, you should not stop therapy, as this does not mean that the cause has been eliminated. Sometimes long-term treatment is required to avoid re-strangulation.

Treatment of a pinched nerve can take place in several stages.

• Giving rest to the damaged area

In some cases, it is recommended to carry out special exercises to strengthen the muscles; in other cases, immobilization helps.

• Anti-inflammatory and painkillers

When a nerve is pinched, it becomes irritated and damaged. In addition to pain, inflammation of the affected nerve fiber may occur. The doctor may prescribe tablets for pinching. These are usually anti-inflammatory painkillers (for example, tablets with active ingredients such as acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen or diclofenac). In case of severe pain and serious damage (for example, a herniated disc), injections may be prescribed. To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, a local anesthetic (such as lidocaine and cortisone) is injected in the immediate vicinity of the damaged nerve. External agents in the form of ointments, creams, and gels also help well with pinched nerves.

• Muscle relaxation

Many patients faced with this problem are concerned with the question: is it possible to do massage if a nerve is pinched? On the one hand, the nerve is pinched due to muscle tension, on the other hand, as a result of severe pain, this can lead to muscle tightness. Therefore, treatment should include eliminating muscle tension and hardening. This is achieved through heat treatment and massage.

A properly performed massage will help reduce pain and pressure in the area of ​​the pinched nerve, improve blood circulation, and help restore motor activity. A full course of massage will help avoid further development of the disease and unpleasant consequences.

Please note that in some cases massage is not permitted!

For example, massage cannot be performed if the sciatic nerve is pinched in the acute period of the disease. Because this can lead to a worsening situation. To avoid negative consequences, contact only a qualified massage therapist.

• Physiotherapy

Elements of physical therapy, such as a special set of therapeutic exercises, are useful for treating nerve fibers. In this case, exercises are carried out with which you can purposefully increase the necessary muscle mass in order to alleviate pinched nerve fibers. Having learned to do such exercises under the guidance of an experienced person, you can then carry them out independently at home. A good bonus to getting rid of pinching will be beautiful posture.

Under no circumstances should you choose your own treatment method, medication, exercise or massage! Only a specialist (physiotherapist) can prescribe suitable treatment after diagnosing the problem!

A thorough examination of the patient, radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging helps the doctor establish an accurate diagnosis.

Prognosis and possible negative consequences

If the sciatic nerve is pinched, its symptoms should never be ignored, since the lack of timely treatment can lead to the development of undesirable consequences that significantly reduce the quality of life of patients.

First of all, when painful sensations occur, it is necessary to establish the true cause of their occurrence, since if therapeutic procedures are carried out incorrectly, sciatica can go into the chronic stage of development, and in some cases, paralyze the patient (especially if the tumor-like neoplasm is untimely removed or the hernia is reduced spine).

In addition, the following types of complications are possible if sciatica is not treated in a timely manner:

• constant intense pain syndrome;
• decreased libido levels;
• infertility;
• deterioration in the functionality of internal organs and systems;
• insomnia;
• disturbances in the menstrual cycle in women;
• a sharp decrease in physical activity;
• paralysis;
• disruption of the functioning of the intestines and bladder in the processes of emptying them.

Only timely seeking medical help and properly administered therapy can prevent the occurrence of the complications described above. In general, with proper treatment of sciatica, the pathological prognosis is positive and all the disorders in the body that it causes are completely reversible.

Treatment results for pinched nerves

As a result of treatment sessions in “Tibet”, pinched nerves are eliminated, pain and other symptoms disappear, as well as the reason why they arose:

• pain in the back, lower back, neck, chest, as well as headaches associated with a pinched nerve disappears,
• numbness, a feeling of cold in the arm and leg disappears, sensitivity, muscle strength, mobility and range of motion in the arms and legs are restored,
• Tension in the back, neck, lower back, stiffness, stiffness disappears, back flexibility, spinal mobility improves,
• the development of spinal diseases stops, restoration of intervertebral discs begins,
• the functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular systems improves,
• the muscular frame that supports the spine is strengthened.

Pinched nerve in the area of ​​the inguinal ligament and hip joint

In most cases, pinching of the femoral nerve is observed in the area of ​​the inguinal ligament, which can be excessively strained (for example, during pregnancy) or shifted from its natural place (for example, with the growth of a hernia in this area or a tumor in the pelvic cavity).

The second common localization of tunnel syndrome is a pinched nerve in the femoral joint, which can be a consequence of valgus or varus deformation of the head of the femur, a change in the position of the pelvic bones, curvature of the legs, incorrect placement of the feet, etc.).

There are several risk factors against which such a pathology can occur. These include the following aspects:

• excess body weight;
• incorrect placement of the feet while walking and running (flat feet or club feet);
• improper behavior of a woman during pregnancy (refusal to wear a prenatal bandage, use of high-heeled shoes);
• poor posture and curvature of the spinal column, which causes deformation of the bones of the pelvic area;
• symphysitis or divergence of the pelvic (pubic bones) during preparation for childbirth;
• tumor processes in the pelvic cavity;
• large inguinal hernial protrusions;
• prostate adenoma in men;
• adnexitis, bladder hyperfunction in women;
• compression of the sciatic nerve;
• myofascial syndrome;
• piriformis syndrome;
• internal hematomas and scar changes in soft tissues due to sprain or rupture of the ligaments and tendons of the hip joint.