Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a sudden head injury that disrupts normal brain function. In addition to cognitive and emotional impairments, TBI can contribute to nerve-related pain syndromes due to damage to brain pathways that control sensation and pain processing. Click here to learn more about TBI.
If you have a persistent post-traumatic headache that does not respond to typical headache medications, the underlying cause may be occipital nerve entrapment. This occurs when the occipital nerve becomes compressed at the back of the head near the occipito-nuchal line, where the neck muscles attach to the skull. This condition can cause chronic headaches, scalp tenderness, and radiating pain in the back of the head.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when nerves and blood vessels are compressed as they pass between the neck and shoulder. This often happens after whiplash injuries, such as those sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Symptoms may include:
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this area can result in severe pain, numbness, or weakness. In the most severe cases, nerves can be stretched, compressed, or even torn away from the spinal cord, leading to significant impairment.
Spinal cord injuries can affect any part of the spine, from the cervical (neck) region to the lumbar (lower back) region. A common condition resulting from spinal injuries is radiculopathy, which occurs when spinal nerve roots are compressed or damaged. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the injury:
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, typically due to a herniated disc or spinal injury. Symptoms include:
If you experience deep pain in the buttocks along with numbness and tingling down the leg, similar to sciatica, you may have Piriformis Syndrome. This occurs when the piriformis muscle in the buttocks compresses the sciatic nerve, leading to:
Pudendal nerve entrapment can cause chronic pelvic pain, numbness, or tingling in the genital and perineal area. Symptoms may include:
If you experience numbness, tingling, and pain in your hand and fingers, particularly in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to: