Overview

The spine has many nerve roots which split from the spinal cord and travel between the vertebrae into various areas of your body. When these nerve roots become pinched or damaged, this can result in nerve pain.

Symptoms of nerve pain:

• Sharp pain in the back, arms, legs or shoulders that may worsen with certain activities, even something as simple as coughing or sneezing
• Weakness or loss of reflexes in the arms or legs
• Numbness of the skin, pins and needles, or other abnormal sensations in the arms and legs

This pain can sometimes feel as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. You may be very sensitive to touch or cold. You may also experience pain as a result of touch that would not normally be painful, such as something lightly brushing your skin. Nerve pain may interfere with important parts of your life such as sleep, work and exercise.

Common reasons for nerve pain:

• Herniated discs
• Bone spurs
• Thickening of spinal ligaments (ossification)

While radiculopathy can’t always be prevented, staying physically fit may reduce your risk of radiculopathy. Using best practices for good posture while sitting, playing sports and exercising are important for preventing injuries.

To learn more, contact our friendly team to see how we can assist you today.