Definition of Nerve compression
Simply put, it is a pinching of a nerve by putting too much pressure on it. That is why it is referred to as a “pinched nerve”. I am sure you are familiar with that term. In the medical field nerve entrapment is also called pressure neuropathy.
What causes It?
There could be many things contributing to it, but in the end it comes down to compression, constriction or stretching of the nerve root. This results in something called ischemia. (We discuss this in a seperate article but basically it means the nerves are not getting enough oxygen due to poor blood supply). The end result is swelling below and above the problem area..
Symptoms:
Have you ever had your hand or foot fall asleep before? Common symptoms include the famous “pins and needles” feeling that you get when your hand falls asleep. Other symptoms include numbness, burning sensations, and pain.
Examples of these symptoms :
- Sciatica pain
- Tennis elbow pain
- Carpal tunnel pain
Examples Of Compressed Nerves:
- sciatic nerve (Tingling down the back of your leg all the way up to your buttocks)
- tibial nerve (Pain from the knee and lower leg)
- peroneal nerve (pain along along the side of your leg)
- plantar nerves (Pain or sensations in your feet)
- femoral nerve (tingling sensations from your hip to your knee)
- median nerve (tingling sensations in your hands)
- ulnar nerve (shoots down your arm past your elbows)
- radial nerve (also extends down your arm)
- nerves between the discs in your spinal column
Neuromuscular massage can help alleviate the pressure and thus the pain that results from such pinched nerves.