Apply ice and heat Along with rest, ice and heat can ease pain from a pinched nerve. You don't need anything fancy.
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.
Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad. You can also buy single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
Nerve damage can be made worse by overuse. A person with a pinched nerve should avoid any movements that irritate the nerve. They should also try to sleep in a position that relieves the pressure on the nerve.
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.
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.
Nerve Pain
It's best to use cold when the pain is still sharp and move on to heat once that sharpness has subsided. The heat will increase blood flow and help tissues heal faster.
Heating an area speeds up circulation, which can bring more nutrients to damaged tissues. More heat and added nutrients helps tissues to have more of what they need to start healing. This is because heat dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow.
Many patients who suffer from chronic pain report that the change in weather makes their pain worse. Bad weather, such as cold and rainy days, are often associated with pain, but hot and humid summer days are actually worse for chronic pain.
Nerve Pain
It's best to use cold when the pain is still sharp and move on to heat once that sharpness has subsided. The heat will increase blood flow and help tissues heal faster.
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.
Maintain good positioning — don't cross your legs or lie in any one position for a long time. Incorporate strength and flexibility exercises into your regular exercise program. Limit repetitive activities and take frequent breaks when engaging in these activities. Maintain a healthy weight.
Most cases of pinched nerves go away on their own, with some rest. During the healing, avoid over-use of the affected area. If certain movements cause pain, avoid those irritants if possible. Remember, there is inflammation compressing the nerves.
Fewer Distractions
You notice your body is hurting more in the hands or feet that cause you to concentrate on the pain. The brain becomes concerned with the nerve pain rather than simply shutting off and falling asleep. You may even find your bed sheets to be a culprit when it comes to fueling the pain.
Increased nerve conduction – Increased temperature causes some increase in nerve input and can help to lessen the signals from pain nerves while increasing signals from touch nerves.
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.
Side-lying may be the most comfortable position if you been diagnosed with sciatica or a pinched nerve. Signs and symptoms that may indicate sciatica or a pinched nerve include pain radiating to a buttock that can extend down the side of the leg and reach the foot.
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.
Where do you massage a trapped nerve? It is a good idea to start massaging with your hands, arms, neck, shoulder blades, and back. A face and head massage can also help relieve pain in the muscles as neck and shoulders are very often where a trapped nerve occurs.
If the pressure on the nerve isn't relieved in a short amount of time, the nerve damage may become permanent, causing chronic pain and muscle weakness. One example of progressive nerve damage is cauda equina syndrome, a severe complication of pinched nerves at the base of the spinal cord.
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.