Getting on My Nerves: Peripheral Nerve Entrapment

Nerves are, VERY simply put, long pieces of string that go from the brain to the extremities or the torso. Nerves provide sensory information to the brain while the brain returns motor information to the muscles, allowing you to move. Again, this is a broad oversimplification, as there are nerves that connect to the intestines/heart/lungs, but for the purpose of this article, we're going to skip over them. Nerves are usually accompanied by arteries and veins (neurovascular bundle) and surrounded by a sheath of connective tissue. As your body moves, so do your nerves. An entrapment is essentially a sticky point along the track of the nerve where the nerves don’t move as well, which creates irritation and swelling. This irritation and swelling increase the pressure on this neurovascular bundle and can create pain.

So what do we do about this? Usually, this requires some modification of activity to let the area calm down. Your doctor will do some muscle and soft tissue work in areas above and below the area of entrapment to help improve the slide and glide of the tissues along the path of the nerve.

Additionally, nerve entrapments often respond well to exercises that mobilize the nerve. These are called nerve glides or nerve flossing exercises, which help to restore the nerve's ability to move freely through the surrounding tissues. Think of it as gently pulling a thread back and forth to ensure it’s not snagged. These exercises need to be done carefully and under guidance to avoid over-irritating the nerve.

In some cases, addressing nerve entrapments also means identifying and correcting movement patterns or postures that may be contributing to the problem. For example, spending hours hunched over a desk or gripping handlebars tightly on a bike ride could contribute to certain nerve issues. Modifying ergonomics, adding breaks for movement, or adjusting technique can be key components of a comprehensive treatment plan. Therapies such as dry needling, instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques, or joint mobilizations might be recommended. These approaches aim to reduce tension in the surrounding tissues and promote healing.

It’s also worth noting that nerves are resilient structures. While entrapments can be frustrating and painful, they’re often treatable with a combination of hands-on care, exercise, and activity modifications. Schedule online to see Dr. Lucas to begin getting you back to doing what you love, pain-free.