Pinched Nerve in the Back
You've likely felt it before, and the words alone may even make you recall the pain: a pinched nerve. It's common among those who lead very active lifestyles. Whether you're a star athlete in professional sports or a regular person lifting weights to stay in shape at the local gym, you're at risk for nerve impingement — especially if you don't stretch.
Back pain from a pinched nerve may be temporary and minor. It may also develop into something more severe and lasting. Early diagnosis by our sports medicine pain specialist can make all the difference. Quick pinched nerve treatment can keep you from having lasting damage.
Pinched Nerve in Back NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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Nerve Impingement Basics
The biggest concentration of nerves in your body is in your spinal cord. These nerves are similar to electrical wires; they transmit signals that travel all over the body. Pinching that wire causes pain and can even limit mobility. Have you ever felt a sharp pain in your neck and had trouble turning to look at something? Have you recently taken a hard hit? You've more than likely pinched a nerve.
A pinched nerve in the back or anywhere is simply a nerve under pressure. This normally comes from a bone or ligament nearby. The vertebrae of your spinal column surround the nerve roots that exit your spinal cord to other parts of your body. They control muscles and report sensations. If they come under pressure, they stop working properly. A pinched nerve in the back treatment can restore movement and feeling.
Inflammation is a common source of pressure that can cause nerve impingement. Pressure on the lower part of the spine commonly causes pain in your lower back and leg. Treatment for pinched nerves eases the pain radiating anywhere in your body.
Warning Signs of a Pinched Nerve in the Back
Warning signs start with localized pain. While sometimes the pain can seem like it comes from somewhere else in your body, remember that the nerves in your spine and neck radiate all over. The location of your pain depends on where the problem stems. If your leg hurts, you may have pinched a nerve in your lower back. Pain in your shoulder could be due to a pinched nerve in the neck. You don't need to call a sports medicine doctor with every pain, but don't wait if your pain doesn't improve or gets worse with time.
The symptoms differ based on the location as well. You may feel pain, or you might have some numbness or tingling. A pinched nerve in the back commonly affects an entire local muscle region. A nerve in the neck can affect your chest, shoulder, and arms. In both cases, you may experience localized pain and swell at the source.
If the compression on the nerve lasts for an extended time, your body's natural protection may break down, which allows fluid to build up. This leads to swelling and pressure. You might also feel pins and needles or tingling. Seek impinged nerve treatment so your pain doesn't get worse.
Get Better and Get Back to Doing What You Love
The sooner you get impinged nerve treatment. The more pinched nerve treatment options remain viable for you. Your doctor can make treatment recommendations that best suit your needs. But the very first step is diagnosing the source of your pain. Once your sports medicine doctor knows that you have a pinched nerve, he can treat it appropriately.
There are many non-invasive pinched nerves in back treatment options. Your doctor may start you with oral medicine or physical therapy, a common course of treatment for pinched nerves if your pain lingers. If surgery is needed, that's the last option when nothing else works. But there are other options to try first, such as:
- Muscle relaxers
- Oral steroids
- NSAIDs
- Opioids
- Steroid injections
Your pain medicine professional may seek other non-surgical impinged nerve treatments such as temperature stimulation or pain blocks. Keep on top of your pain management with light exercise and stretching. Closely follow your N.Y. doctor's advice about treating a nerve impingement. You're always better off seeing a New York City specialist who can consider your health needs and advise you on the best course of action.
Ready to find relief from your pinched nerve?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Pinched Nerve Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to pinched nerve in the back is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Pinched Nerve Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."