What is a Pinched Nerve in my low back?
A pinched nerve in your low back means that where your nerve normally has enough room it is being compressed by any of a number of structures. A nerve can be pinched between two bones. It could be pinched by a muscle or muscles. A nerve can be pinched by a tendon or a ligament. Or, quite commonly, a nerve in the low back can be pinched by the discs of the vertebrae (“intervertebral discs”) pressing the nerve against the bones of the spinal column.
Anatomy of a Pinched Nerve
Your nerves run through the spinal canal of your vertebrae and exit through the transverse processes and next to your facet joints. Your back should have plenty of space and flexibility to allow your nerves to run freely throughout the body, but when there is an injury or a potential injury the body may respond with in such a way that the nerve is compressed or pinched.
A pinched nerve can occurs when the nerve is compressed due to a bulging disc, the joint between two bones being too tight, inflammation, or some other mechanical dysfunction. Because the nerves of your low back, particularly those associated with Lumbar vertebrae 4 and 5 or Sacral vertebrae 1, run through your legs and into your feet you can have the sensation of pain running from your low back and into your legs or feet. We describe this feeling as “radiating pain.”
Your pinched nerve is rarely the issue directly. More often it is a sign or symptom of a mechanical injury or dysfunction.
Treatment for a Pinched Nerve
Pinched Nerves hurt, plain and simple, but when they are in your low back, they can leave you totally debilitated. Physical therapists are trained to treat the underlying issues with your muscles and joints (your "musculoskeletal dysfunction"). Treating your back pain means using the Top 6 Treatment Components by identifying what will work best for you!
-FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Oklahoma City
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Oklahoma City provides orthopedic physical therapy in Lakeside, The Village, Nichols Hills and surrounding NW Oklahoma City. Our physical therapists are specially trained to treat all types of pain, movement disorders, and musculoskeletal dysfunction including treating pinched nerves. Our practitioners take a patient-centered individualized approach that focuses on your orthotpedic health needs. If you are unsure about your back pain, or you want to see the FYZICAL Difference for yourself, schedule a free consultation today.