Pressure on the nerve roots as they leave the spine produce symptoms of nerve compression, and the nerve roots in the lumbar region of the spine are most liable to be pinched or compressed as a result of maximum movement of the vertebrae in this region. Lumbar nerve compression is commonly known as sciatica, which is the most frequent of all the pinched nerve conditions.

continue reading Pinched Nerve Lower Back – Lumbar Nerve Compression

Nerve compression at the level of the thoracic vertebrae, or thoracic radiculopathy, is less common than in the cervical radiculopathy or lumbar nerve compression because of the lower amount of pressure and movement that the thoracic vertebrae are subjected to. However a pinched nerve at the thoracic level may cause symptoms that just as severe, usually presenting as pain, tingling, and numbness in the arms, chest, abdomen or pelvis.

continue reading Pinched Thoracic Nerve – Radiculopathy, Compression

A cervical pinched nerve or nerve compression occurs as it leaves the spine in the neck and produces a condition known as cervical radiculopathy. The nerve may be compressed or irritated due to a herniated intervertebral disc, bone spurs, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, and may produce symptoms such as pain, numbness or tingling in the arms, hands or shoulders.

continue reading Pinched Neck Nerve – Cervical Radiculopathy, Compression

The term ‘pinched nerve‘ actually refers to any condition where compression of the nerve causes a range of sensory (’feeling’) and motor (’movement’) related symptoms in the affected area. While a pinched nerve if often believed to affect the spinal nerves only, due to compression between parts of the spine, it can actually affect any nerve in the body. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the site that is affected, the extent of the nerve compression, movement or other aggravating factors as well as duration of the compression.

continue reading What is a Pinched Nerve?

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatic pain (sciatica) is a pain in the lower back, buttock, leg and/or foot, usually on one side at a time, caused by one of disorders affecting the sciatic nerve:

• Pinched nerve due to:
  • Bulging or herniated disc 
  • Degeneration disc disease (DDD)
  • Spinal stenosis (narrow spinal canal)
  • Fracture of one or more of spinal vertebra or direct injury of the nerve
  • Tumor of the spinal cord or spine
  • Spondylolysthesis (slipping disc – from several reasons)
  • Piriformis syndrome (pressure from piriformis muscle that extends from the sacrum to the outer hip bone)
  • Spondylosis – degeneration due to wear and tear of spinal vertebra
  • Spondylitis – inflammation of spine
  • Osteoporosis
  • Tuberculosis or osteomyelitis of spinal vertebra
• Peripheral neuropathy e.g. from diabetes or alcoholism  

continue reading Sciatic Nerve Pain – Causes and Symptoms