Most pinched nerve resolve within 4 – 6 weeks with appropriate physiotherapy. This includes gentle lower back mobilization to loosen up the lower back joints, some gentle massage and a home program of stretches.
Physiotherapy treatment for trapped nerves can be very effective and may include a combination of manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilization/manipulation, soft tissue massage, and laser therapy.
Physiotherapy is an important intervention for pinched nerve or nerve compression. As nerves exit the spine through holes called foramina, anything that encroaches into this space can put pressure or “pinch” the nerve. Nerve compression results in significant discomfort for patients.
Chiropractic and osteopathy may provide some pain relief for trapped nerve symptoms, but physiotherapy is the most effective treatment for long-term pain relief and recovery.
Heat may help to increase blood flow and relax the muscles surrounding the pinched nerve. Apply a heating pad to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. You may also take a warm bath with Epsom salts to help relax your muscles.
Pinched nerves can last from a few days to about a month, depending on how you treat it. It is typically a temporary condition that you can treat on your own, but it's important to not ignore long-lasting or acute pain as it could be the sign of a bigger problem.
With rest and other conservative treatments, most people recover from a pinched nerve within a few days or weeks. Sometimes, surgery is needed to relieve pain from a pinched nerve.
When searching for the best treatment option for a trapped nerve, you will find two types of medical professionals who are well-known to treat trapped nerves, a chiropractor and an osteopath.
A chiropractor can use adjustments to release a pinched nerve, addressing the root cause of the issue. This can help someone recover without requiring invasive procedures or medications that could otherwise lead to side effects.
If your primary care doctor is unable to diagnose the pinched nerve, you may need to see a neurologist or orthopedist.
Any stretch, exercise, or activity that causes pain rather than just mild discomfort should be stopped. Pushing your body will only make your pinched nerve worse. Additionally, stop if you feel tingling or numbness in your arms or hands. It can also be helpful to avoid exercises that put a lot of tension on your neck.
Accompanying the bulging disc is an inflammatory response. This inflammatory response consists of extra fluid building up around the disc and nearby tissues. This causes more mechanical strain on the nerve. But, most importantly, this fluid contains chemicals that trigger increased sensitivity in nerves.
Can a Massage Help a Pinched Nerve? Massage therapy may be a great option in relieving a pinched nerve because sometimes muscle tension may be the cause of the pressure. A light to medium pressure massage such as a Swedish massage is ideal and will help to loosen up connective tissues.
Research Shows Why Massage Can Help With Pinched Nerves
If muscle tension is the cause of the pressure on your nerve, massage therapy may provide the relief you seek. Try a gentle, relaxing Swedish massage, which will loosen up your tense muscles and may release the pressure around your nerve.
With treatment, most pinched nerves can be healed in a few weeks.
Once the inflammation calms down, heat can help relax any tense muscles near the pinched nerve. Heat can also stimulate blood flow, which can aid in healing. Try using a heating pad or a warm compress. As with ice, you should protect your skin from direct heat.
MRIs create images using a radiofrequency magnetic field, a technique that clearly shows pinched nerves, disc disease, and inflammation or infections in the spinal tissues. MRI is usually the preferred imaging for pinched nerves.
Mild cases of a pinched nerve may go away on their own after your body adjusts to naturally remove pressure off of the affected nerve.
Nonsurgical Treatments
You can often get relief from your symptoms by adding medication to your treatment for a pinched nerve in the neck. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help the pain caused by nerve inflammation. Over-the-counter muscle relaxers can also provide a certain degree of relief as well.
If the pressure on the nerve isn't relieved in a short amount of time, the nerve damage may become permanent, causing chronic pain and muscle weakness. One example of progressive nerve damage is cauda equina syndrome, a severe complication of pinched nerves at the base of the spinal cord.
In mild cases, the compression of the nerve causes no permanent damage to the nerve, and the nerve sheath fully recovers. More severe cases can cause permanent damage to the nerve and/or nerve sheath, causing persistent deficits.