Nerve Pain

Living And Coping With Nerve Pain

By Jarrett Kruse

Nerve pain is a common consequence of back and neck pain and injury. Back problems often cause leg pain which is frequently an inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Pain in the extremities is often caused by a pinched nerve when bone or disc tissue presses against the nerve. A pinched nerve in the neck or upper back can cause tingling, left or right back pain, and numbness. Disc and skeletal disorders are among the chief causes of pinched nerve problems.

Pinched nerves are the most common cause of nerve pain. When a pinched nerve occurs, the nerve is “pinched” by an increase in pressure from surrounding tissue—such as a herniated disc or irritated muscles or tendons. Most of the time rest is the recommended treatment, but sometimes that’s not enough. Anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid injections have both proven effective against pain. Some patients report success with physical therapy or acupuncture. On rare occasions, surgery is required to remove the source of pressure, such as a bone spur or herniated disc, on the nerve. Here are a few things to look for when trying to determine whether you are suffering from a pinched nerve:

Burning, sharp, or shooting pains in the area of the nerve, possibly radiating outward

Coughing or sneezing if the nerve affected is coming from the spinal cord.

• Tingling or numbness or a ‘pins and needles’ sensation known as paresthesia
• Twitching or muscle spasm or weakness in the affected area.
• Shooting pains in the extremities
• Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has ‘fallen asleep’.
• A burning sensation in the feet—feeling your feet are on fire

Another cause of nerve pain is diabetic neuropathy.

• Leg Pain
• Relief Of Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Hip Pain
• Left Back Pain
• Right Back Pain
• Joint Pain
• Chronic Pain
• Muscle Pain
• Arm Pain
• Arthritis Pain