Muscle strains and pinched nerves are two of the most common types of pain patients deal with in our clinic. Since some of the symptoms of these two types of pain can be similar, patients often are unsure of the root cause of their pain. At Macomb Pain Management, our team takes a root-cause approach to pain management, which is why we stress the importance of accurate pain diagnosis in our treatments. Pinched nerves and muscle strains are an excellent example of why accurate diagnosis is critical for effective pain relief, as nerve compression when left untreated can potentially worsen over time. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at pinched nerve versus muscle strain pain, some of their symptoms, and treatment options available to you at Macomb Pain Management.
What is a Muscle Strain?
Muscle strains are a common cause of pain and occur when muscle fibers and tendons are overstretched and torn. The majority of muscle strains are mild and heal within a few weeks, while more severe muscle strains can take much longer or require medical intervention for proper healing. Symptoms of muscle strains typically include:
- Localized pain
- Stiffness
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Swelling
- Cramping
Depending on the severity of your muscle strain, your symptoms can range from mild to severe.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
Pinched nerves occur when surrounding tissues or structures in the body compress a nerve, typically in the back, neck, shoulders, or hips. Often, patients will develop a pinched nerve alongside another chronic pain-causing condition like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or arthritis. Symptoms of a pinched nerve include:
- Pain that radiates
- Pain that is described as “shooting pain”
- Pins and needles sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Burning sensations
Over time, severe cases of pinched nerves can lead to worsening weakness and chronic pain that continues to worsen over time, requiring medical intervention for proper pain relief.
Key Differences Between Nerve Pain and Muscle Pain
While there are some symptoms that overlap with pinched nerves and muscle strains, like muscle soreness and stiffness, there are some symptoms that tend to be more unique to pinched nerve pain. Muscle strain pain is typically localized to one area of the body, while pinched nerve pain can radiate to other regions. Pain from a muscle strain often worsens with movement, while pinched nerve pain can flare up from sitting or twisting the body. Finally, muscle strain pain will typically improve with rest gradually, while pinched nerve pain can take longer to recover from and may worsen without treatment. If you find that your pain has stuck around for a few weeks and is getting worse, you may be dealing with a pinched nerve and should have your pain evaluated.
When Should You See a Pain Specialist?
If you’re dealing with pain that has lasted for more than a few weeks, is severe, or is continuing to get worse, we recommend you see a pain management specialist as soon as possible. Getting treatment early, especially if you suspect you’re dealing with a pinched nerve, greatly reduces the risks of complications and improves the level of pain relief you receive from treatment.
Treatment Options for Nerve and Muscle Pain
Depending on the cause of your pain (a pinched nerve vs. muscle strain), our team at Macomb Pain Management will recommend an appropriate treatment option. For pain caused by muscle strains, treatment options can include:
- Rest and activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Ice and heat therapy
Pain caused by pinched nerves benefits more from other treatments, including:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
- Image-guided injections
At Macomb Pain Management, our team of pain management specialists will work with you to develop a personalized pain management plan that aims to provide you with the highest level of pain relief possible.
Find Relief From Muscle Strains and Pinched Nerves at Macomb Pain Management
If you’re dealing with muscle strain or pinched nerve pain, relief is just one call away. To get started with a personalized pain management plan, give our team at Macomb Pain Management a call today at (248) 844-8281.
