Radiculopathy is a pinched nerve in the spine. It occurs when surrounding bones, cartilage, muscle, or tendons deteriorate or are injured. The trauma causes these tissues to change position so that they exert extra pressure on the nerve roots in the spinal cord.
When the nerve roots are compressed, they become inflamed. This results in numbness, weakness, and pain. The condition can usually be reversed with timely and appropriate treatment.
Types of Radiculopathy
Types of radiculopathy are defined by the location of the compressed nerve:
Lumbar radiculopathy is pressure on the nerve root in the lower back. It can cause sciatica, or shooting pain in the legs. Incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or severe paralysis can also occur in severe cases.
Cervical radiculopathy is pressure on the nerve root in the neck. It can cause painful burning or tingling in the neck, shoulder, and arms.
Thoracic radiculopathy occurs when there are pinched nerves in the middle portion of the spine. This causes pain in the chest and torso. It is uncommon and can be mistaken for shingles.
Causes--Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve is compressed by surrounding tissue. It is sometimes caused by a herniated spinal disc. This occurs when the outer rim of the disc weakens or tears. The nucleus then pushes outward and exerts pressure on a nearby spinal nerve.
Bone spurs can also cause radiculopathy. This is when extra bone forms around a disc after it weakens or collapses. These spurs can stiffen the spine and narrow the space where nerves are located, causing them to be compressed.
Pressure from a herniated disc, surrounding tissue, muscle, or tendons can cause inflammation. This interferes with nerve function. This compression can occur spontaneously. It can also result from trauma or other conditions that affect the spine. These include injury, osteoarthritis, and obesity. Age is another factor. Poor posture or stress from repetitive activities can also cause compression.
Symptoms--Symptoms of radiculopathy can range from mild to severe. The type and location of pain depends on the location of the pinched nerve root. Cervical radiculopathy usually affects the lower arm more than the neck area. Lumbar radiculopathy causes more discomfort in the lower leg than in the back area.
Symptoms of radiculopathy can incude: -a sharp back pain that travels down to the foot,a sharp pain that worsens with abdominal pressure from sitting or coughing, numbness of the skin in the leg or foot, weakness and tingling in the neck and arm,weakness and tingling in the back and leg, changes in sensation,loss of reflexes,shoulder pain, arm pain, pain that worsens with neck or head movement, hypersensitivity
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
PARIS QUADRIFOLIA 30-Paris Quadrifolia is the top medicines for cervical radiculopathy. The main symptom is numbness in upper limbs. The fingers feel numb. Along with this, pain and a feeling of weight is experienced in the neck. The pain may extend from the neck down to the shoulders.
KALMIA 30-Kalmia is another medicine for cervical radiculopathy where the symptoms include pricking, numbness and weakness in the upper limbs. People may complain of a tingling sensation in the upper limbs as well. Along with the above mentioned symptoms, pain from neck extending down to the shoulder blades or down the arms . The pain is sharp and shooting in nature.
HYPERICUM PERF. 30-In Hypericum there are tingling, burning and numbness in the limbs following trauma to the spine.
RHUS TOX 30- Rhus Tox is mainly indicated for localised pain in the neck or lower back from radiculopathy that follows trauma or injury to the spine.
COLOCYNTH 30-Colocynth is one of the most suitable medicine for radiculopathy where the lumbar region is involved. In Colocynth sciatica is the major complaint arising from lumbar radiculopathy. Pain from the lower back radiates down the hip to the legs in such cases. The pain may be drawing, tearing or cramping in nature .
GNAPHALIUM 30- Gnaphalium is mainly indicated for sciatica pain and numbness in lower limbs arising from lumbar radiculopathy. The numbness in lower limbs may be accompanied by or alternate with sciatica pain. Pain and numbness in the lower . Lying on the back may bring some relief in back pain.