Pinched Nerve in Lower Back

spinal stenosis

Anyone who has suffered from a pinched nerve in their lower back knows that the pain they have to put up with can be excruciating. Understanding the mechanics of nerves will help you to make sense of the discomfort and why it happens. Nerves play a vital role in a person's body as they transmit electrical pulses to and from the brain. They maintain various functions of the body which include digesting, breathing, hearing and movements to name but a few. If a nerve gets trapped or pinched these impulses are disrupted. A pinched nerve in lower back causes this interference and prevents the nerve from sending these vital impulses.

It is usually herniated discs, spondylolisthesis and stenosis that are associated with pinched nerves in the lower back area. But it also may be as a result of some sort of imbalance in the muscles around the area of the lower back which puts pressure on the affected nerve. There are other contributing factors which include reduced circulation, muscle spasms and tightness involved in pinch nerve conditions.

One example of this is sometimes referred to as piriformis syndrome. Lorry drivers or other people who spend a lot of time driving often suffer from the condition. The simple movements it takes to drive a car or a lorry will change how a person sits so that they reach the pedals more comfortably. This eventually leads to an imbalance in the muscles around the lower part of the spine and this in turn will result in more pressure being put on the nerves in the lower back causing the pinched nerve in lower back problems.

Pinched nerves in the lower back can also be caused by trauma, injury and bruising but there are other conditions which have to be considered and this includes the swelling of extremities that often occur during pregnancy. It is also thought that the condition may be hereditary so, if a person has a family history of the condition, they may be more prone to suffering from it.

The most common symptoms are severe pain, numbness to the area that is affected and a tingling sensation as well as a weakness in the muscles found along the path of the nerve that has been affected. The tingling sensation people experience with a pinched nerve can be likened to 'pins and needles' and this can stretch along the nerves' path which results in a stiffness down the length of the leg.

When consulting a doctor or back specialist there are various questions which will be asked about the pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and any other symptoms that are prevalent as well as the type of work a person does. On examination the doctor will be able to identify the root cause of the problem and enable a correct diagnosis and if further tests are necessary. Occasionally an X-ray may be needed to assess whether or not there has been an injury to the spine or if arthritis may be the cause of the pinched nerve as this is a more serious scenario that may need immediate medical attention.

If the pain persists the doctor may recommend a CT scan or an MRI to identify the problem and to determine whether or not surgical intervention is actually needed. But in most cases it is just a question of time, a little rest and a course of anti-inflammatory medication whether prescribed or bought over the counter pain relief tablets such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol that will help with a patients' recovery. Surgical intervention is seen as a last resort only if no other treatment or therapy has proved to be effective and the pain and discomfort persists.

It is more common for pinched nerve in lower back conditions to be treated with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medication, heat dressings, ice, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation and sometimes steroid injections. But exercise, massage and physical therapy are by far the more favoured forms of treatment and it has now long been recommended that avoiding chemical based drugs is the best route to take for a speedier recovery from the condition. Attitudes towards the condition also play a vital role in how quickly people recover.