Physiotherapy for nerve pain is a common treatment option that works to achieve results in reducing pain, minimising discomfort, and optimising mobility and flexibility. Nerve pain treatment is typically a very effective component of physiotherapy intervention.
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.
But regardless of the cause, physiotherapy can help decrease pain and increase the functionality of the affected area. A good physio will be able to assess and diagnose whether your nerve pain is central or peripheral (which is why Dr Google isn't going to cut it!) and treat you appropriately.
According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, physical therapy exercises that focus on aerobic capacity, flexibility, strength, and balance may be beneficial to people with neuropathy: Aerobic exercises: These help work muscles and increase breathing and heart rate.
Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. Sometimes it can feel as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. You may be very sensitive to touch or cold. You may also experience pain as a result of touch that would not normally be painful, such as something lightly brushing your skin.
If you feel you have damaged your nerve, see a neurologist to find out the extent of the damage and to inquire about care. Nerve injuries may develop from recent activities or evolve over time. If you have ongoing pain, tingling, or numbness, contact your doctor and find out more about neurological testing and care.
A nerve may become compressed or pinched in any number of ways, but the root cause of a pinched nerve tends to be some type of problem with the musculoskeletal system. Because this is a problem of the musculoskeletal system, the care of a chiropractor tends to be one of the best options for addressing this issue.
Usually physiotherapy is the first treatment approach, but if severe pain is not easing and the muscles are becoming weaker, neck surgery may be considered.
Unfortunately, chronic nerve pain rarely goes away completely. However, a combination of multidisciplinary treatments, such as physical therapy, regular exercise, medication, and pain management treatment can hopefully provide significant relief.
Neuropathic pain is sometimes worse at night, disrupting sleep. It can be caused by pain receptors firing spontaneously without any known trigger, or by difficulties with signal processing in the spinal cord that may cause severe pain (allodynia) from a light touch that is normally painless.
There are a number of factors that will play a role in how long your pinched nerve lasts. The cause of the inflammation, degree of compression, and your immune system response can help determine when your symptoms will subside.
A massage will relax the affected muscles and take some of the pressure off the nerve, making it a valuable addition to your recovery plan. Of course, you'll want to get your doctor's approval before you consider a massage (or any other treatment) for pinched nerve pain relief.
Luckily, pinched nerves are treatable. A chiropractor from Specific Care Chiropractic can diagnose the cause of your nerve-related symptoms, treat the underlying problem, and help you experience symptom relief. We may use a range of adjustments and secondary treatments tailored to your healthcare needs.
Fortunately, there are treatment options, and surgery is not always required. A chiropractor can use adjustments to release a pinched nerve, addressing the root cause of the issue.
Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia) Muscle weakness in the affected area.
People who have opted for massage therapy to treat nerve damage have reported feeling better after their sessions as their symptoms reduced. Lighter and softer strokes, often used in Swedish massages, are typical what works in such cases.
While these traditional treatments can be helpful, they do not fix the root of the problem and may have some potential side effects. This is the reason why people are turning to alternative treatments like acupuncture. Acupuncture is an effective pinched nerve treatment.
An MRI may be able help identify structural lesions that may be pressing against the nerve so the problem can be corrected before permanent nerve damage occurs. Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings.
Recovery is a slow process, and the biggest thing you can do to regain nerve sensation and function is to move consistently. You may experience tingling feelings and possibly sensations similar to electrical shock, which is a good sign of having new sensitive nerves.
If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can lower neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi also might help. If you have painful neuropathy in your feet, you may want to try pool-based exercise such as swimming.
Nerve Pain
Pain caused by conditions such as sciatica respond well to ice or cold treatments because that temperature tends to calm inflammation and numb any soreness in the tissue. It's best to use cold when the pain is still sharp and move on to heat once that sharpness has subsided.