Pinched nerves are also commonly referred to as slipped disc, prolapsed disc, bulging disc, ruptured disc, or even degenerative disc disease. However, it should be remembered that pinched nerves can also occur in the muscles and other nerve structures in addition to the discs. Typical examples of this condition are Piriformis Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Causes & Symptoms of Pinched Nerves

Muscle imbalances and herniated discs are common reasons for pinched nerves as they are responsible for postural dysfunctions. Under these conditions, an abnormal pressure is exerted over the nerves and leads to its slow but constant wear and tear. Subsequently, this leads to contact with the nerve and the beginning of pain. Since it is a slow process, it is very often seen that people may be symptomatic and may not experience severe pain. The pain aggravates once the pressure starts piling up on the nerves. People suffering from this disorder very often complain of chronic pain in the back, arms, and legs. The pain could either be a local pain or radiating pain. Severe conditions include loss of bowel or bladder control, and usually medical intervention is warranted under such conditions.

Treatments for Pinched Nerves

Many of the traditional treatments do not provide permanent or long-term relief and are usually criticized for only superficially addressing the symptoms of the disorder. Counter arguments say that they're important as they cause a reduction of pressure on the nerves, which is indeed the cause of this condition. There are two kinds of common treatments for herniated discs, medicinal and physical. The medications involve dosages of cortisone injections along with a set of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Be sure to try natural treatments like specific exercises and treatments before taking harsh drugs. The physical treatments include usage of hot packs and therapeutic exercises; in some situations, ultrasound and electrical simulations of the affected body parts may also be employed.

Surgical treatments are the most advanced form of treatments and are also quite expensive and can be risky. Most of them aim at reducing the pressure on the nerves and stabilizing the joints. Muscle Balance Therapy has been quite effective for treating this order as not only does it focus on reducing the pain to provide temporary relief, but also on identifying the reasons for excessive pressure on the nerves.