Thursday 8 December 2011

Trapped nerves

I have a Trapped nerve
"I has a trapped nerve in my shoulder" or "I have got a trapped nerve in my back" are very common phrases I hear in practice. It is a very frequently used "self diagnosis" but what exactly does it mean?

What is a Trapped nerve
Nerves don,t actually get trapped in the way most people image. If a nerve (often nerve root) implicated it is usually because there is something pressing on it (sometimes disc prolapse) or inflammation.


 Its is not trapped as such. If this where the case there would be severe trauma and urgent surgery required. The main problem with the expression "trapped nerve" is it can lead people to the idea that it needs to be "untrapped" by some expert. However, like many acute musculoskeletal problems it will still usually resolve itself in time - though quicker with treatment.


The quality of pain in trapped nerves
Now that I clarified the term trapped nerve I will look at the problem in more detail. All pain is in fact "nerve pain" in the sense it its the sensory nerves that sends the signal of pain to the brain.


 This tells us where the pain is located. When a nerve is implicated itself ie there is direct pressure on it, the quality and distribution of symptoms as somewhat different from other types as muscloskeletal symptoms such a shoulder problems, elbow or knee pain. This will often include pain, pin and needles sensation and or numbness with loss of sensation or sometimes muscle weakness. Not all these symptoms need to be present at one time. What is particular about the distribution of symptoms from a trapped nerve is that they will usually go down a leg or arm. When pain is present in the limb, it is very often of an "unpleasant nature" (I know all pain is unpleasant) and create the sensation of "I don,t know were to put my arm" or " I don,t know where to put my leg"


Trapped nerve in neck and shoulder
With the neck this usually means a nerve root is being effected where it passed out between the vertebra in the neck. This can be due to inflammation of a facet joint, disc prolapse (not so common in neck) or soft tissues. The result is pain, pin and needles, numbness in the arm and / or hand. Often there is pin and needles in a few fingers or the thumb. The fingers in which someone feels numbness or pin and needle give a rough idea about where in the neck the problem is coming from.


 The thumb being higher up and the little finger lower down. Which arm pain coming from a "trapped nerve" in the neck it is common for a person to obtain relief by having their arm above the head (usually in lying). This is because the brachial plexus (nerves from neck) are under less traction. One should however do this with caution, as the pain can come back worse after.

   Another problem that effects nerves in the region (shoulder) is thoracic outlet syndrome.


 This can involve blood vessels  as well. The bundle of nerve and blood vessel can get pressed on as they pass from the shoulder to arm. Usually, if this is the case symptoms are more in the little finger. See Thoracic outlet syndrome on my website.

Trapped nerve in back
When nerve is involved with back pain there is pain, pins and needles and numbness (not necessary all) down the leg. Often there is pain in the calf, hamstring or foot. With the sciatic nerve being involve this can lead to the mistaken belief there is a tight hamstring. One should never (unless by a qualified practitioner) attempt to stretch it in these circumstances.
  Often this leg pain is called sciatica


 and can be linked to a disc prolapse .

Other areas of trapped nerves
 These can include the elbow cubital tunnel  and carpal tunnel .

The treatment of trapped nerves
These kind of problems are very frequently seen and successfully treated by Osteopath and Physiotherapists. Each treatment will need to be tailored to the individual. Often where a nerve root is involved its the areas above and below that area, that are real source of the problem being stiff.


For more information on trapped nerves
Chris Reynolds Osteopathy & Physiotherapy trapped nerves.

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