HOMOEOPATHY FOR PINCHED NERVE

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. This pressure disrupts the nerve's function, causing pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.

A pinched nerve can occur at a number of sites in your body. A herniated disk in your lower spine, for example, may put pressure on a nerve root, causing pain that radiates down the back of your leg. Likewise, a pinched nerve in your wrist can lead to pain and numbness in your hand and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome).

With rest and other conservative treatments, most people recover from a pinched nerve within a few days or weeks.

Causes-- A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure (compression) is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues.

In some cases, this tissue might be bone or cartilage, such as in the case of a herniated spinal disk that compresses a nerve root. In other cases, muscle or tendons may cause the condition.

In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, a variety of tissues may be responsible for compression of the carpal tunnel's median nerve, including swollen tendon sheaths within the tunnel, enlarged bone that narrows the tunnel, or a thickened and degenerated ligament.

A number of conditions may cause tissue to compress a nerve or nerves, including:

·        Injury

·        Rheumatoid or wrist arthritis

·        Stress from repetitive work

·        Hobbies or sports activities

·        Obesity

If a nerve is pinched for only a short time, there's usually no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal. However, if the pressure continues, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage can occur.

Symptoms-- Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include:

·        Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve

·        Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward

·        Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)

·        Muscle weakness in the affected area

·        Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has "fallen asleep"

The problems related to a pinched nerve may be worse when sleeping.

Risk factors-- The following factors may increase your risk of experiencing a pinched nerve:

·        Sex. Women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, possibly due to having smaller carpal tunnels.

·        Bone spurs. Trauma or a condition that causes bone thickening, such as osteoarthritis, can cause bone spurs. Bone spurs can stiffen the spine as well as narrow the space where your nerves travel, pinching nerves.

·        Rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can compress nerves, especially in your joints.

·        Thyroid disease. People with thyroid disease are at higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other risk factors include:

·        Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk of nerve compression.

·        Overuse. Jobs or hobbies that require repetitive hand, wrist or shoulder movements, such as assembly line work, increase your likelihood of a pinched nerve.

·        Obesity. Excess weight can add pressure to nerves.

·        Pregnancy. Water and weight gain associated with pregnancy can swell nerve pathways, compressing your nerves.

·        Prolonged bed rest. Long periods of lying down can increase the risk of nerve compression.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When pinched nerve  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

COLOCYNTHIS 200—Colocynth is effective for sciatic nerve pain. Dull, stitching , shooting pain, like lighting shocks,  in the hip which comes suddenly and shoot down to the posterior part of the thigh or to knee or foot, especially left side.  Pain is relieved by heat and hard pressure but worse from touch or motions.

MAGNESIUM PHOS 200---Magnesium phos is one of the best  remedies for nerve pain. Neuralgic pain relieved by warmth is the leading symptom of the remedy. The pains are unbearable, shooting, cutting, stitching in nature, shifting , better by rest , worse at night. The parts were tender to to pressure and numb. Pains sometimes tense in paroxysms, compelling her to cry out.

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM 200—Excessive painfulness is a guiding symptom of Hypericum. Hypericum is an effective remedy for nerve pain with tingling, burning and numbness. Hypericum is an effective remedy for nerve pain after injury to nerves, especially fingers, toes, nails. Shooting pains from the injured part. Injury to brain and spinal cord. Back pain due spinal injury.  It is best for traumatic neuralgia and neuritis.

KALMIA LATIFOLIA 200—Kalmia is prescribed when numbness along with nerve pain occurs. Neuralgic pains, shoot downwards with numbness is characteristic to Kalmia. Pains affects a large part of of a limb or several joints and pass through quickly. Pains along the ulnar nerve, goes into third or fourth fingers. Left side is mostly affected.

CHAMOMILLA 200-Chamomilla is prescribed where unbearable pain is experienced associated with numbness. Chamomilla person is irritable and sensitive. Irritability is accompanied by violent anger. The patient feels pain more than it is in actual. Pain worse on touch.

BELLADONNA 200—Belladonna is prescribed for pinched nerve with severe nerve pain, which comes and goes suddenly. Pains are throbbing, sharp, cutting, shooting or clawing of maddening severity , coming and going in repeated attacks. Nerve pain is accompanied by bright redness and heat in the body. Pains are aggravated by touch or noise.

GNAPHALIUM 30—Gnaphalium is best for sciatic pain, sciatica when numbness associated with pain. Numbness alternates with sciatic pain. There is intense pain in the nerve accompanied by cramps or alternating with numbness. The pain is worse from lying and walking and better from sitting. Pain in calf and feet.

Prevention-- The following measures may help you prevent a pinched nerve:

·        Maintain good positioning — don't cross your legs or lie in any one position for a long time.

·        Incorporate strength and flexibility exercises into your regular exercise program.

·        Limit repetitive activities and take frequent breaks when engaging in these activities.

·        Maintain a healthy weight.