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.
So how long does a pinched nerve cause pain and discomfort? 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.
Overview. A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. A pinched nerve can occur in many areas throughout the body.
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.
Steroid injections or oral corticosteroids can reduce swelling and inflammation, which reduces pain as a result. Surgery may be an option if these treatments fail to provide relief. The goal of surgery is to remove the damaged disc and relieve pressure on the nerve.
Research Shows Why Massage Can Help With Pinched Nerves
Try a gentle, relaxing Swedish massage, which will loosen up your tense muscles and may release the pressure around your nerve. You probably want to avoid deep tissue massage, since the deeper pressure may make the problem worse.
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.
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.
If you think you have pinched nerve symptoms, it's best to visit your primary care physician first. It may be helpful to write down the symptoms you've been having before your appointment.
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.
A physical therapist will work with you to create a program that helps your recovery. However, be careful. Working out alone can worsen your condition. It's important to have the guidance of a trained medical professional whenever attempting to exercise or stretch with a pinched nerve.
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.
I have treated quite a few rsi cases and trapped nerves and have found that in the first instance the best approach is relaxation,heat and de stressing. Massaging the hands, arms, neck, shoulder blades and back is always an excellent place to start finishing with a face and head massage.
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.
You need to keep the pained area still, avoiding all movement that aggravates the pain. A good way to do this is with a splint along the pinched nerve. This gives it the protection it needs from any movement that might occur, intentional or by accident. With no movement, the nerve is free to heal on its own.
Most of the time, a trapped nerve feels like tooth-ache, but running down your arm or leg. Often this is accompanied by neck or back pain, with some limitation of movement. It is also relatively common to experience numbness or pins and needles with a trapped nerve, and some people feel hot or cold sensations.
“As you walk, you gently stretch the nerve through its range of motion,” says Dr. Morrow. Walking can also increase blood circulation to the damaged nerve, which may facilitate healing and reduce pain.
Exercise can go a long way toward taking the pain out of a pinched nerve in the neck. By strengthening and stretching the right muscles, your posture may change to help relieve pain, your movement becomes freer, and more space is created for a pinched or irritated nerve to move.
Create the right sleeping environment
Make sure that your pillows and mattress are comfortable and don't leave you with added pain or stiffness throughout the night or in the morning. Moving bedsheets and blankets so they're not touching your legs and feet can also help with intensified nerve pain.
A 'pinched nerve' is painful, it restricts function, and it can be brought on by physical, emotional, and chemical stressors that cause inflammation, injury, and misalignment.
Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the emergency room if you have: Sudden onset of 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.
Options to treat a pinched nerve include: Ice: Apply directly to the affected area. Over-the-counter medication: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, may help relieve symptoms.
The pressure affects the nerve's function and triggers symptoms ranging from sharp pain and numbness of the skin to weakness and tingling. If left untreated, a pinched nerve can cause severe complications, including permanent nerve damage.