Without proper treatment, a pinched nerve can develop into more serious conditions such as peripheral neuropathy or disc degeneration. You may also have general illness and chronic pain as a result of an untreated pinched nerve.
On average, a pinched nerve can last from as little as a few days to as long as 4 to 6 weeks — or, in some cases, even longer (in which case you should see your doctor).
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.
Until you relieve the compression that's blocking the blood flow, you'll continue to struggle with this decreased sensation. Don't ignore this symptom since untreated numbness can lead to permanent nerve damage.
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.
The most frequently recommended treatment for a pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Your doctor will ask you to stop any activities that cause or aggravate the compression. Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, you may need a splint, collar or brace to immobilize the area.
MRI. 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.
In some rare cases, a pinched nerve can get worse and lead to prolonged weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arm, shoulder, or hand. In these cases, nerve restriction can lead to damage, which requires treatment to avoid permanent changes.
The signs of nerve damage
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Feeling like you're wearing a tight glove or sock. Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs. Regularly dropping objects that you're holding.
Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the emergency room if you have: Sudden onset of severe pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis of an arm or leg that does not go away. Loss of bladder or bowel control. Loss of sensation in your genital or anal regions.
Pinched Nerve Pain is Usually Short-Lived
In most cases, symptoms improve and nerve function resumes to normal within 6 to 12 weeks of conservative treatment. Conservative treatment options include physical therapy, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.
Any sudden jerk-like motions will cause a stress response in the body, tensing up all nerves and muscles and making the pinched nerve much worse. Some examples of this may include sports like baseball or golf or any other sport that has long periods of rest followed by a sudden, intense motion.
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.
Symptoms most commonly include a sharp pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or back. A pinched nerve may cause tingling, numbness, or burning. Weakness in the arms or legs also may result. For many people, symptoms get better with time and go away without treatment other than rest and monitoring.
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.
Neurologists are specialists who treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.
Apply heat
The heat will relax the muscles that might be tight around a pinched nerve. Heat also increases blood flow, which can help the healing process.
Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. Sometimes it can be as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. People with neuropathic pain are often very sensitive to touch or cold and can experience pain as a result of stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as brushing the skin.
Stretch It Out. A little stretching may be enough to ease some of your pinched nerve pain—a 2009 study in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy showed promising results. Stretching with gentle resistance, either using resistance bands or your own hands, can also be quite helpful.
Fortunately, most pinched nerves do not become a permanent problem. That is why greater than 98% of pinched nerves can be treated without an operation. Pinched nerves are commonly caused by herniated nucleus pulposus (disk herniation), cervical and lumbar spondylosis (bone spurs).
CT or MRI scans can look for herniated disks, pinched (compressed) nerves, tumors or other abnormalities affecting the blood vessels and bones. Nerve function tests. Electromyography (EMG) records electrical activity in your muscles to detect nerve damage.
Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet. It can also affect other areas and body functions including digestion, urination and circulation.
Some nerve-related problems do not interfere with daily life. Others get worse quickly and may lead to long-term, severe symptoms and problems. When a medical condition can be found and treated, your outlook may be excellent. But sometimes, nerve damage can be permanent, even if the cause is treated.
Numerous clinical studies have found that magnesium has beneficial effects in patients suffering from neuropathic pain, dysmenorrhea, tension headache, acute migraine attack, and others.