How to get rid of radiating pain?

Radiating pain refers to pain originating from the nerve roots in spinal cord and feeling it all across the course of the nerve. It generally occurs due to compression or impingement of the nerve roots leading to pins and needles feeling and in extreme cases numbness and weakness is also felt.

Causes- Usually radiating pain is caused by disc bulge in the spine, osteophytes formation in the vertebrae, spinal stenosis, external trauma or injury and cauda equina.

Symptoms- The patient feels sharp and shooting pain at rest and on any slight bit of movement. There is persistent tingling sensation, pins and needles feeling, numbness, and weakness of muscles may also occur. At times swelling and inflammation is also seen at nerve roots.

Treatment- Usually acute radiating pain goes away with rest.

• Analgesics are given to the patient if pain persists. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed.
• Hot and cold packs are advised to the patient for 15 minutes, thrice a day to be applied at the nerve roots being compressed. This increases blood flow at the site of compression and since blood contains natural healers and pain relievers, the patient feels reduction in pain.
• Interferential therapy, T.E.N.S and ultrasonic therapy are given to the patient when physiotherapy treatment starts.
• Stretching and strengthening of the affected muscles also begins once the pain has subsided.
• Surgery is also done if the above mentioned treatments don’t give any relief. Laminotomy, and Laminectomy procedures are performed to ease out the compression of nerve roots.