Whether you are experiencing mild or serious symptoms, it is vital to get checked out by a sports medicine doctor. If you got hurt and your symptoms match those of a pinched nerve, make an appointment with Dr. Bob Meyer at the Spinal Rehab Sports Medicine clinic. Dr. Meyer has a lot of experience treating athletes via sports medicine including pinched nerves. He will give you a proper examination and set a sports injury treatment course to rectify the issue.
PINCHED NERVE
The bones that help to form your spine, known as vertebrae, have spongy discs that help to cushion them. The purpose of these discs is to help your spine retain its flexibility. They also absorb a lot of the shock that your spine may experience during regular activities. If these discs undergo damage, they may bulge or break. This damage can lead to a pinched nerve. The most common area where a pinched nerve occurs is the lower back. But it can also happen in other parts of your spine, such as the neck or your upper back.
What causes a pinched nerve?
There are two different scenarios that may cause a pinched nerve. The first scenario is that you are experiencing wear and tear to a part of the spine for many years. These discs will dry out over a period of 10, 20 or 30 years. They are not as flexible as they were before, and a herniated disc becomes an increased possibility leading to a pinched nerve.
The second cause is a traumatic injury to the spine. It can happen when you are in an accident, hit by someone or experience sports injuries. Say you fall on your back in an awkward position or you are hit by someone while competing for a ball. The disc will bulge or completely break because the impact of the incident caused a tear in its outer layer. This then puts pressure on the surrounding nerves causing pain.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve?
If you have suffered a pinched nerve, you will experience pain, numbness and a general weakness in the area. You may also find that your pain and numbness is going all the way down to your leg. A loss of bowel or bladder control is also possible.