Drink lots of water Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors.
Dehydration can cause back pain when the gelatinous material inside your discs lose water and are unable to hold the weight of your body, this causes the disc to collapse which can put pressure on the sensitive nerves exiting the spinal column.
When you're dehydrated, your brain and other tissues in your body shrink (contract). As your brain shrinks, it pulls away from the skull, puts pressure on nerves and causes pain.
The different systems of your brain communicate with your brain through the nervous system, which gives electrical signals to your body using the nerve pathways. When you are dehydrated, the nervous system can't communicate with your body and gives rise to a number of symptoms.
If you can feel a slight tingling sensation in your fingers and toes, then you may be experiencing some form of dehydration. You may also start to experience a light numbness at the back of your eyes, which is another sign that you might be suffering from it.
Hydration Fights Inflammation
Hydration helps our bodies fight inflammation by flushing out toxins. Adequate water intake can also help keep our joints well lubricated and prevent gout attacks. Most of the water in our bodies is stored in connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, etc.)
Broccoli, spinach and asparagus all contain vitamin B, a nutrient important for nerve regeneration and nerve function. Spinach, broccoli and kale also contain a micronutrient called alpha-lipoic acid that prevents nerve damage and improves nerve function.
Reduces inflammation
Staying hydrated helps reduce inflammation, which can help manage pain. Drinking enough water decreases the function of chemical messengers that typically contribute to inflammation.
Drinking too much water, can cause the electrolyte levels in the body to get out of whack and cause sodium levels plummet. The nerve and heart issues that occur with over-hydration can be deadly.
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.
In a dehydrated individual, the sympathetic nervous system is activated: increases in cardiac sympathetic activity cause increases in heart rate and stroke volume, while increases in vascular sympathetic activity cause vasoconstriction and maintenance of arterial pressure via increased peripheral resistance.
Rehydration should occur before your next shift or strenuous physical activity, but do not exceed more than 1.5 liters of water per hour or 12 liters in a day without medical supervision.
Muscle Cramps and Aches
Our muscles require plenty of water and electrolytes to do what we ask of them. Without enough fluid, our muscles can become extremely sensitive and spasm or contract involuntarily.
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.
If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks. A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of 'rest' following your injury. Some people notice continued improvement over many months.
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.
Also a great anti-inflammatory agent, apple cider vinegar can help combat the inflammation caused by nerve pain. To reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar, just mix 2-3 tablespoons of the vinegar in a glass of warm water. You can add a teaspoon of organic honey to help it taste better.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) provides your nerves with energy to function, while vitamin B6 relieves nerve pain and transmits nerve impulses correctly. Vitamin B12 regenerates the nerves, protecting them from damage. A deficiency in vitamins B12 or B1 may be partly responsible for your nerve pain.
At high doses, methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12, accelerated nerve regeneration, increased myelination, and improved motor and functional recovery of injured nerves [80, 83].
Orange, tomato, pineapple and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation. Tart cherry juice has been shown to protect against gout flares and reduce OA symptoms.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.