What is a Pinched Nerve?

• A pinched nerve is one that's under pressure and unable to properly function due to the force being exerted. Pinched nerves can be pressured by tissue, bones or muscles. When the offending tissue, tendon or bone puts pressure on the nerve, the nerve can respond with pain, loss of feeling or weakness in the muscles or tendons it sends responses to. Nerves can be pinched due to surrounding tissue swelling from injury and trauma.
  
  

Symptoms of Facial Numbness & Nerve Problems

• Facial numbness is the loss of feeling and sensation on one side of the face. This can lead to distortions in speech, facial swelling, tenderness in the face and facial weakness. Facial numbness and facial paralysis are also symptoms of Bell's palsy. Two facial nerves handle muscle control on the face. They're also responsible for sensation and feeling. If the facial nerves are pinched, they don't communicate signals properly and lead to facial paralysis, numbness and loss of sensation.
  
  

Treatment

• Pinched nerves are often treated with resting of the affected area. A brace or splint is used to limit or stop the muscles from moving. Physical therapy is also used to increase strength and flexibility in the muscles pinching the nerve and causing numbness. Medications prescribed to aid in lowering pinched nerves to the face include anti-inflammatory drugs to lower the swelling that's pressuring the nerve. Direct injections of the streoid Corticosteroid into the problem area can also aid in lowering the swelling.