Pinched Nerve – Ayurvedic Treatment, Diet, Exercises, Research Papers, Yoga & Pranayama

Introduction

It is also known as Nerve compression syndrome, compression neuropathy, nerve entrapment, or a “pinched” peripheral nerve. It is caused when a peripheral nerve loses mobility, flexibility, or becomes compressed by surrounding tissues. A nerve entrapment can cause neuropathic / neurogenic pain that can be either acute or chronic in nature. Nerves extend from the brain and spinal cord, sending important messages throughout the body. In a case of pinched nerve, the body may send warning signals such as pain. Don’t ignore these warning signals. Damage from a pinched nerve may be minor or severe. It may cause temporary or long-lasting problems. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment for nerve compression done, the sooner will be the relief. The damage from a pinched nerve cannot be reversed in some cases. But treatment usually relieves pain and other symptoms.

Signs and symptoms

  • Pain in the area of compression, such as the neck or low back
  • Radiating pain, such as sciatica or radicular pain
  • Numbness or tingling
  • “Pins and needles” or a burning sensation
  • Weakness, especially with certain activities

Causes

Pinched nerve occurs when there is “compression” (pressure) on a nerve. The pressure may be the result of repetitive motions. Or it may happen from holding the body in one position for long periods, such as keeping elbows bent while sleeping.

Other causes may include:

  • Injury
  • Rheumatoid or wrist arthritis
  • Stress from repetitive work
  • Hobbies or sports activities
  • Obesity

Pathophysiology

A nerve entrapment can be both ischemic or mechanical in nature. Repetitive injury and trauma to a nerve may result in microvascular (ischemic) changes, oedema, injury to the outside layers of the nerve (myelin sheath) that aid with the transmission of the nerve’s messages, and structural alterations in membranes at the organelle levels in both the myelin sheath and the nerve axon. Focal segmental demyelination at the area of compression is a common feature of compression syndromes. Complete recovery of function after surgical decompression reflects remyelination of the injured nerve. Incomplete recovery in more chronic and severe cases of entrapment is due to Wallerian degeneration of the axons and permanent fibrotic changes in the neuromuscular junction that may prevent full reinnervation and restoration of function

Diagnosis

Physical examination including neurological exams

Electrodiagnostic testing (EDS)

Nerve conduction studies

Treatments

Treatment may include:

NSAIDs – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may reduce swelling.

Oral corticosteroids – to reduce swelling and pain.

Narcotics – These are used for brief periods to reduce severe pain.

Steroid injections – These may reduce swelling and allow inflamed nerves to recover.

Physical therapy – helps stretch and strengthen muscles.

Splint – A splint or soft collar limits motion and allows muscles to rest for brief periods.

Surgery – Surgery may be needed for more severe problems that don’t respond to other types of treatment.

Prognosis

Damage from a pinched nerve may be minor or severe. It may cause temporary or long-lasting problems. A proper diagnosis and treatment will help find relief in many cases. In some cases, the damage from a pinched nerve cannot be reversed. But treatment usually relieves pain and other symptoms.

Complications

  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Swelling
  • Extra pressure
  • Scarring

Disease & Ayurveda

        A direct correlation is not there in the Ayurvedic texts for Pinched nerve but the condition can be compared with Vaatadoshakopa. All the movements including nervous & locomotor system in the body are included in the functions of Vaata dosha. Vaata can be vitiated in two conditions, like in dhaatukshaya(degeneration of body tissues) or aavarana(obstruction of the channels due to kapha or aama).When the Vaata dosha is vitiated, these systems are affected directly as in the case of a pinched nerve, especially due to aavarana.

Nidana

            Aavarana (obstruction of channels in the body)

Purvaaroopa

        Not mentioned

Samprapti

        Not mentioned

Lakshana

            There can be one or more signs and symptoms attributed to Vaatadosha namely

Ruk     – Pain

Supti – Numbness

Sosha – Wasting of tissues

Sparsajnata     – loss of tactile sensation

Kampa – shivering

Bheda – piercing type of pain

Swaapa – loss of sensation

Divisions

            Not mentioned

Prognosis

            Saadhya in new & uncomplicated cases

Chikithsa

Samana

Lepanam with Rookshana dravyas

Swedanam especially pindaswedam

Upanaham

Sodhana

Asthapanavasti

Anuvasanavasti

Agnikarma and treatment of wound in suitable cases

Commonly used medicines

        Ashtavargam kashayam

            Sahacharadi kashayam

            Rasnerandadi kashayam

            Maharasnadi kashayam

            Varanadi kashayam

            Guggulutiktakam ghrutam

            Ksheerabala tailam

Brands available

AVS Kottakal

AVP Coimbatore

SNA oushadhasala

Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala

Home remedies

No home remedy is proven to cure pinched nerve. Applying heat bags on the area, taing enough rest and ice packs may help reducing the discomforts.

Diet

  • To be avoided

Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.

Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine

Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion

Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)

Milk and milk products – increase kapha, cause obstruction in channels and obesity

Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases

  • To be added

Light meals and easily digestible foods

Green gram, soups, sesame oil, fresh fruits & vegetables

Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc

Behaviour:

Protect yourself from cold climate.

Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.

Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.

Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.

Avoid sedentary lifestyle. Be active

Yoga

Regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised. Also, specific yogacharya including naadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana is recommended.

Regular exercise helps improve bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.

 Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.

Pavanamuktasana

Nadisudhi pranayama

Bhujangasana

Simple exercises for lungs and heart health

All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.

Research articles

The effect of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was tested on regeneration of the rat sciatic nerve after a crush lesion. IGF-I was administered via miniosmotic pumps to the dorsal root ganglia or locally around the crus lesion. Regeneration of sensory fibers was measured after 3 or 4 days superfusion by pinching. IGF-I stimulated regeneration in both administration paradigms. Regeneration was inhibited if the nerve was perfused with specific antibodies to native IGF-I. The results suggest that endogenous extracellular IGF-I plays an important role during regeneration of peripheral nerve fibers.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, United States. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your GP before the intake.

Writer:
Dr. Rajesh Nair, the co-founder and chief consultant of Ayurvedaforall.Com, is a graduate of prestigious Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda College (affiliated with the University of Calicut), Kerala, India. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy from Annamalai University.

Dr. Nair offers consultation at two busy clinics in and around Haripad, Alleppey, Kerala, the southern state famous worldwide for authentic ayurvedic treatment and physicians. While offering consultation on all aspects of ayurvedic treatments Dr. Nair has a special interest in Panchkarma, Yoga, and Massage.

Through Ayurvedaforall Dr. Nair offers online consultation to patients worldwide and has served hundreds of patients over the last 20 years. In addition to his Ayurvedic practice, he is the chief editor of ayurveda-amai.org, the online portal of Ayurveda Medical Association of India, and the state committee member of Ayurveda Medical Association of India.

Dr. Nair is a regular speaker at Ayurveda-related conferences and has visited Germany to propagate Ayurveda. You can write directly to him-
rajesh@ayurvedaforall.com

Whatsapp – +91 9446918019, +91 8075810816

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