The answer is yes! By applying pressure to the pinched nerve, it can help relieve tension, reduce pain and inflammation and promote circulation. It will also help relax you, your muscles and the affected area as well.
Will a pinched nerve go away on its own? How long does it take? Yes, most will with time (normally four to six weeks). You can improve symptoms with rest and pain medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
As you heal from a pinched nerve, the pain will weaken and may feel more like a dull, throbbing pain that occurs less often.
If a nerve is pinched for only a short time, there's usually no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal. However, if the pressure continues, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage can occur.
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.
“Most patients need only rest, temporarily avoiding any activities that worsen symptoms,” Dr. Chang says. If it doesn't exacerbate your pain, exercise may also be a way to find some relief.
Start by icing for 15 minutes, then wait for 30 minutes before icing again. 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.
Yoga and gentle stretching may assist ease pressure on the nerve, and offer pinched nerve relief. It is essential not to stretch too much, as this may create symptoms worse.
Chiropractic is a great way to relieve pinched nerves – and it's something we can do for you today. Professional Chiropractors have an intimate understanding of the body and the nerves, and know where to apply pressure to reduce pain, relieve tension, and hasten recovery.
Most Pinched Nerves Last Between a Few Days to a Few Months
In most situations, a pinched nerve may last anywhere from a few days to a few months in severe scenarios.
When you lay down, the weight of your body may put pressure on your nerves in ways that it doesn't when you're upright. This is particularly common with sciatica and other chronic pain caused by pinched or compressed nerves.
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.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), can help relieve pain. Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and tricyclic medications such as nortriptyline (Pamelor) and amitriptyline are often used to treat nerve-related pain.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is sometimes described as the most excruciating pain known to humanity.
Pulled muscles are sometimes mistaken for pinched nerves, but can be ruled out based on the nature of the pain. A pulled muscle exhibits dull achy pain in a centralized location, whereas pinched nerve pain is sharp and radiates to other parts of the affected area.
As a specialist in peripheral nerve surgery, Dr. Seruya wants his patients to know that after a period of 12-18 months nerve damage can become permanent.
After light stretching, consider low-impact aerobic exercise such as walking, cycling and swimming. These activities will increase blood circulation to the damaged nerve, facilitating healing and reducing the pain associated with a pinched nerve.
Emotional stress. Emotional stress can have a physical effect on the body. The hormones that get released as a result, the cortisone and other things can create irritations in the body that can create misalignments, that can create pinched nerves.
While many cases of pinched nerve will resolve on their own with or without treatment, you should see your doctor if symptoms last for several days. You should also see a doctor if your pain doesn't respond to self-care measures, such as rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Pinched Nerve Diagnosis
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a doctor may take an X-ray, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to find the cause of the pinched nerve.