Can You Relieve Pain from a Pinched Nerve at Home?
A pinched nerve occurs when there’s too much pressure on a nerve from the surrounding tissue, bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. The pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected area. You can feel a pinched nerve in your neck, shoulder, back, upper chest, or arm.
For the most part, it will go away on its own within four to six weeks, and there are many ways you can relieve pain at home. If your pain persists or increases after a few weeks, you should contact a doctor at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery.
Get Plenty of Rest and Sleep
Rest is an effective way to combat a pinched nerve. Sleeping will also heal the nerve as the body recovers from the day. Make sure to go to bed at a reasonable hour to get between seven to eight hours every night. Just remember not to rest too much, as it can increase your pain.
Do Light Exercises and Stretches
The right exercises will strengthen and stretch your muscles, which not only alleviates pain but reduces the chance of a pinched nerve forming. Trap stretches, chin tucks, head turns, neck bends, and shoulder rolls may help reduce your discomfort. Not all exercises work for everyone, so discuss options with a specialist.
Adjust Your Posture
Poor posture can cause unnecessary stress on your body and lead to damage in the spinal cord or muscles, leading to a pinched nerve. Make sure you sit and stand up straight with your head sitting evenly between your shoulders. Adjusting your posture to a correct position will ease the pain.
Use Heat and Ice Packs
Switching between heating pads and ice packs can help relieve discomfort from a pinched nerve. Apply a heating pad directly over the affected area for 10–15 minutes at a time. This will relax tight muscles and increase blood flow. Ice packs can reduce swelling and inflammation.
Wear a Splint to Help with a Pinched Nerve
Wearing a splint on the affected area, especially when you sleep, may help relax your muscles and alleviate pain. It can also help prevent further damage to your nerves.
Try Over-the-Counter Medication to Relieve Pain
Ibuprofen and aspirin can decrease swelling and relieve some pain from a pinched nerve. Make sure to carefully read the label and instructions before using. You should consult your doctor before using any medication. If your pain persists, a specialist might prescribe medication.
Book a Massage to Alleviate Discomfort
A massage can reduce pain, numbness, and stress. To do this yourself, apply light pressure around the nerve to relieve tension and relax the muscles. If you go to a professional, remember not to have a deep tissue massage. Any excess pressure can worsen your pain.
How Can I Prevent a Pinched Nerve?
It’s hard to prevent a pinched nerve, but there are ways you can lower risk. Maintaining a healthy weight and good posture are the two most straightforward methods. Daily exercise and stretching can help as well. You should also try to take breaks from repetitive activities, such as typing, at least once an hour.
Relieve Pinched Nerve Pain at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery
When you need to relieve pain from a pinched nerve, turn to the board-certified doctors at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery. Our doctors use the latest technology to diagnose and treat several back, neck, and spine conditions. When you first partner with us, one of our team members will work with you one-on-one to determine why you’re in pain. We will then develop a treatment specific to your condition. We pride ourselves on our ability to give personalized care to all our patients.
To schedule an appointment, call (855) 853-6542 or complete our contact form today!