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Nerve  pain  and  neurological  symptoms  

 Nerve  pain,  pins  and  needles  or  numbness  are  all  neurological  symptoms  caused  by  injury   to   or   irritation   of   a   nerve.   The   most   common   times   one   may   experience  neurological   symptoms   are   following   an   injury   to   the   lower   back   or   neck  where  there   may   be   irritation   or   swelling   that   adversely   affects   one   of   the   cervical   or  lumbar   nerves.     Neurological   symptoms   may   also   be   experienced   if   there   is  “neurodynamic”   compromise   which   occurs   when   the   pathway   of   a   nerve   is  affected  along   its   journey  to  a  peripheral   limb.    Muscle  spasm/tightness,  swelling  from  injury  or  altered  biomechanics  can  all  impact  the  neurodynamic  pathway  of  a  nerve.    Depending  on   the  origin  of   the  neurological   symptoms,  management  often   takes  time  as  nerve   irritation  and  recovery  can  be  very  slow.    Physiotherapy   treatment  aims   to   unload   the   structures   surrounding   the   nerve   to   reduce   symptoms   and  improve   neurodynamic   mobility.     These   treatments   may   include   soft   tissue   and  myofascial   techniques,   joint   mobilisations,   neurodynamic   techniques   and  exercises,   taping   to   offload   structures   and   ultimately,   strengthening   exercises   to  prevent  the  reoccurrence  of  neurological  symptoms.