Pinched nerves are irritated or inflamed nerves caused by prolonged exposure to direct pressure or compression. Pinched nerves can cause significant discomfort, and you may not know how to get relief. Keep reading to find out how you can get relief from your pinched nerve without surgery.
How do pinched nerves develop?
The pain you feel due to pinched nerves are actually warning signals being sent to the brain that something isn’t right. The feeling of pain can either be present only where the pinched nerve is located or radiate slightly outwards, which can make it challenging to locate the affected nerve precisely.
Depending on your lifestyle and any medical conditions, your pinched nerve could be caused by a number of the following conditions:
- Nearby bones, tendons or muscles are not properly aligned
- Poor posture
- Tunnel syndromes – repetitive motions lead to nerve compression
- Rheumatoid or wrist arthritis
- Obesity and pregnancy – significant weight gain can cause extra pressure on your body and swell nerve pathways, creating a greater risk of “pinching.”
Find relief for pinched nerves
1. Chiropractic care
Many times, pinched nerves can be healed with chiropractic care. However, this care must take place shortly after realizing your condition to prevent long-term damage.
Chiropractic care can help to realign the body, which helps relieve the compression on the nerves, which, in turn, reduces the number of pain signals sent to the brain. Chiropractic care for pinched nerves is particularly effective when paired with other options like massage or physical therapy.
2. Massages
Massages, especially deep tissue massage, relax your muscles resulting in less unnecessary pressure being exerted on your nerves. Massage paired with hot stones or oils can provide additional relief.
3. Yoga, stretching, and exercise
Stretching and yoga can help to lengthen your body and relieve overall tension and pressure. If you are suffering from pinched nerves due to weight gain, additional exercise can help you lose weight and improve your general health.
However, you should immediately stop the exercise if you start to feel any additional discomfort or pain.
4. Posture correction
There many common mistakes we make regarding our posture, and luckily, they are usually easy to correct for relief. Correcting these mistakes is vital since poor posture is one of the leading causes of pinched nerves as well as pain in the lower back muscles.
If you still have some lingering pain after making minute adjustments to your posture, visiting a chiropractor can alleviate your pain levels further. A chiropractor can also provide you with more comprehensive information about attaining the proper posture.
5. Rest the affected area
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommends resting the affected area, especially if the pinched nerve is caused by repetitive movement. Getting enough sleep is also vital for allowing the body to muster up enough energy to heal the damaged nerve from the inside.
6. Heat and cold packs
The alternation of placing hot and cold packs on the affected area increases fresh blood flow to the area, which can lead to pain relief. Use an ice pack three times a day in 15-minute intervals to decrease inflammation. Heating pads can be used three times a day for up to an hour.
Like posture correction, this method can also double as lower back pain treatment, depending on the location of your pinched nerve.
7. Over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs
Over-the-counter pain medications often contain anti-inflammatory drugs which can provide comfort while practicing the other methods. However, always remember to consult with your primary care physician before taking any medication.
Final thoughts
Although these pain relief methods will give you temporary peace of mind, your doctor can determine whether the effects of your pinched nerve are reversible. The quicker you act, the higher the likelihood is that you can improve the condition of your nerve and get back to your daily activities.
