Treating a Pinched Nerve

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by Andrew Pacholyk MS, L.Ac

Pinched Nerve is a general term that is used to describe the compression of individual nerves or groups of nerves.

Motor fibers and sensory fibers emerge from the spinal nerves. The motor fibers innervate particular muscles, while sensory fibers innervate particular areas of the skin. A skin area innervated by the sensory fibers of a single nerve root is known as a Dermatome.

A group of muscles primarily innervated by the motor fibers of a single nerve root is known as a Myotome (muscle). There is a total of 31 sets of nerves branching out of the spinal cord.

A Plexus is formed by the remaining anterior nerve divisions, which then distribute to the rest of the body. The nerves from each plexus innervate specific muscles and areas of skin in the body and are numbered according to the location in the spine from where they exit. The following are the four main plexuses:

The Cervical and Brachial plexuses innervate the upper limbs. The Lumbar and Sacral plexuses innervate the lower limbs.

Cervical plexus, C1 – C4, innervates the diaphragm, shoulder and neck

Brachial plexus, C5 – T1, innervates the upper limbs

Lumbar plexus, T12/L1 – L4, innervates the thigh

Sacral plexus, L4 – S4, innervates the leg and foot.

Having knowledge of dermatomes and myotomes can help us to differentiate different dysfunctions.

The Cervical and Brachial plexuses innervate the upper limbs and are often the cause of a pinched neck, shoulder, under arm or arm in general. The Lumbar and Sacral plexuses innervate the lower limbs and often the cause of a pinched nerve in the sacrum, the sciatic nerve and the legs or feet.

The pain of a Pinched Nerve may be coming from a muscle spasm or strain that’s putting pressure on the nerve, so you can try relaxing your muscles. Consider these remedies for relief:

– Alternating between heat and ice on the affected area: switch between them every 20 minutes and remember to wrap the heat and ice packs in a towel before putting them on your skin.