What is the difference between pinched nerve and pulled muscle

Pain is pain and it is not fun. But, what about nerve pain versus muscle pain? Are we able to tell the difference? Chronic pain is ongoing and constant. 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. Sometimes, surgery is needed to relieve pain from a pinched nerve. See your doctor if the signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve last for several days and don't respond to self-care measures, such as rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.

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.

We make it easy! Please click here to schedule an appointment online. Speed up your visit by completing the patient intake form. Please click to begin. The information you fill in will be sent directly to our office. Call Us: This is exactly what happens to a muscle under the same conditions; a pulled muscle is the painful result of forced overextension. Alright, so how do you damage your muscles in this way?

The most common activities leading up to pulled muscles include overuse, improper form during workouts, a failure to warm up and down before and after exercise, and skipping over stretching routines. Muscles need to be primed for exercise, and if this crucial step is neglected, they tend to be less flexible and more prone to damage and pain.

Well, the biggest distinction between a pulled muscle and a different source of pain is the fact that your flexibility is limited after you hurt yourself. Essentially, this means you struggle to bend, stretch, or generally move the muscle.

The muscle is tight and sore. In addition, you may experience swelling in the pulled area.