Brachial Plexus Injuries – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that stem from the neck region and trail off to form other nerves which conduct signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand.

The term bronchial plexus injury (BPI) covers all conditions that hinder the proper function of the neural network. Some causes of BPI include shoulder trauma, tumors, and inflammation. Other cases involve high-speed vehicular accidents, blunt trauma to the region, stab or gunshot wounds, compressions, and neuropathies (nerve damage).

There are different types of brachial plexus injuries. These include:

Avulsion – This is an irreversible condition wherein the nerve has been pulled out of the spinal cord.
Rupture – This happens when a nerve has been stretched and partially torn.
Neurapraxia – The nerve has been gently stretched or compressed but it still attached.
Axonotemesis – This is a condition wherein the axon, the part of the nerve that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body, has been damaged.
Neurotemesis – The entire nerve has been divided.
Neuroma – This is a type of tumor that occurs from a tangle of divided nerve endings that fail to regenerate.

Known side effects of brachial plexus injuries

The known side effects of brachial plexus injuries include a limp or paralyzed arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, and lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand.

Body systems harmed by brachial plexus injuries

The main body system harmed by brachial plexus injuries is the nervous system.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent brachial plexus injuries

There is not much information on what specific foods prevent brachial plexus injuries, except for foods rich in vitamin B12, which is essential for the nerves.

Treatments, management plans for brachial plexus injuries

According to an entry published on the website Simple-Remedies.com, there are other conditions that may imitate the symptoms of brachial plexus injuries. Therefore, it is important to confirm the diagnosis before starting the treatment. To confirm the condition, a series of tests such as MRI, x-rays, and nerve conduction tests are performed. Treatment for the condition includes physical therapy to improve muscle strength, use of splints and braces for support during the healing process, vocational counseling or job retraining for severe cases, healthy diet, and homeopathic drugs. Some physical therapy exercises for brachial plexus injuries include neck stretching, shoulder shrugs, shoulder abduction, and isometric exercises.

Where to learn more

Summary

Brachial plexus injuries are injuries to the nerves.

Brachial plexus injuries may cause a limp or paralyzed arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, and numbness in the arm or hand.

Brachial plexus injuries mainly harm the nervous system.

Treatment for the condition includes physical therapy, use of splints and braces for support during the healing process, vocational counseling or job retraining for severe cases, healthy diet, and homeopathic drugs.

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