Nerve Basics

• Nerves consist of three types. Sensory nerves are designed to carry stimuli collected from sensory organs to the brain. Motor nerves play a role in various movements throughout the body. Autonomic nerves control automatic movements that your body engages in, such as the involuntary blinking that occurs when something moves near the eye.
  
  

Symptoms

• Pinched nerves are the most noticeable when they result in intense, burning pain. However, pinched nerves can also lead to numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, and the sensation that the area of the body with the pinched nerve is falling asleep.
  
  

Pinched Nerve

• At times, bones or muscles can press down on nerves, compressing them or preventing the flow of nutrients to that nerve. These pinched nerves can send unnecessary signals of pain, and they are also often incapable of performing their normal functions.
  
  

Causes

• Bone and cartilage are most often pressing against the pinched nerve. This occurs most often on spinal discs. Events that can increase the likelihood of a pinched nerve occurring are bad posture, injuries, obesity, and stress. In some cases, pinched nerves are unavoidable.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Pinched nerves mostly heal on their own. Resting is the fastest way to heal a pinched nerve, though some doctors recommend that the area with the pinched nerve be immobilized. In some cases, physical therapy, medications and surgery are required.
  
  Pinched nerves can be prevented by avoiding many of the things listed in the causes section. Individuals are also advised to avoid long, repetitive tasks whenever possible.