Generalized Injuries > Nerve Impingement
Nerves conduct electrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body, providing you with conscious and unconscious sensory information, allowing you to move your body, and maintaining the function of your internal organs without your conscious effort. Nerve impingement can also be referred to as a pinched nerve. Nerve impingement occurs when the soft tissues or joints that are surrounding the nerve put pressure on the nerve.
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Mechanism of Injury: Nerve impingement can be caused by internal issues, including the narrowing of a space surrounding a nerve, or external issues, like a trauma - think hitting your elbow and feeling that āfunny boneā sensation. External traumas tend to create short lived symptoms, but an internal issue can create constant or recurrent symptoms.Ā Ā
Contributing Factors: Inefficient posture. Inefficient movement patterns. Joint/soft tissue stiffness. Degenerative/age related changes at a joint. External trauma.
Signs/Symptoms: Tingling. Numbness. Loss of strength or dexterity in the affected limb. Abnormal sensation. Burning/lightening feeling.
At Home Tests: MMT (resisted muscle movement)
At Home Treatment: Mobility routine (nerve flossing).
When to Seek Help: If you have severe symptoms (debilitating, cannot perform normal daily activities), head to your nearest emergency department to rule out more serious pathology. If your symptoms fall into the ābothersomeā category, see your physical therapy as soon as possible to prevent progression of symptoms.
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Treatment at Inspired Athletx: Treatment at Inspired Athletx begins with a comprehensive assessment to determine where the nerve entrapment is occurring - it isnāt always at the site of symptoms!Ā Treatment will include manual therapy, postural training, neuromuscular re-education, movement training, and strength/stabilizing exercises to address the specific cause of your entrapment.Ā Click here to schedule a physical therapy evaluation with us.
Disclaimer: The content contained in this section of the website is intended for informational purposes only.Ā It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to function as a substitute for a professional diagnosis or treatment from a licensed healthcare provider.
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