A pinched nerve in the neck, back, arms, or other parts of the body creates a lot of pain. It may even prevent you from carrying out your daily activities normally. The problem occurs when a tissue bordering the nerve, such as bone, cartilage, tendons or muscles, presses on the nerve itself or gets "stuck" in it. You can learn how to treat this ailment with both home remedies and with your doctor's help to manage pain and heal.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding Instant Relief at Home
Step 1. Recognize a pinched nerve
In this situation the nerve is damaged in some way and is unable to correctly and completely transmit the electrical signal. The damage could be compression due to a herniated disc, arthritis, or a bone spur. However, there are other reasons that cause this condition, such as an injury, poor posture, repetitive movements, sports, certain hobbies or obesity. Any nerve in the body can potentially be damaged in this way, even if the most affected are in the neck, wrist, elbow and spine.
- All of the causes listed above generate inflammation which in turn compresses the nerve.
- Inadequate nutrition and poor general health can make the situation worse.
- A compressed nerve is a condition that can be reversible or irreversible, depending on the severity of the case.
Step 2. Observe the symptoms
A pinched nerve is essentially a physical obstruction in the body's nerve-connecting system. For this reason the symptoms are numbness, mild swelling, piercing pain, tingling, muscle spasms and weakness. The pinched nerve is also usually associated with excruciating pain in the affected area.
All symptoms are due to the fact that the nerves are unable to properly transmit the nerve signal through the body due to compression or obstruction along their path
Step 3. Avoid straining the area
Once you have been diagnosed with a pinched nerve you should start taking care of it. You should rest the limb and the affected area or try to use it as little as possible. The repetitive strain of muscles, tendons and joints, which press on the nerve, only worsens the situation, because the structures continue to swell and constrict the nerve bundles. The easiest way to find immediate relief is to rest the area around the nerve until the swelling (and therefore the pressure) disappears completely.
- Do not move or contract the part of the body affected by the disorder, to avoid adding more pressure on the nerve. Some movements cause immediate worsening of symptoms, avoid them completely.
- If certain gestures or positions increase the pain, then immobilize the injured area and avoid that particular movement.
- In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, a very common ailment caused by the compressed nerve, the wrist must be kept straight with a brace at night because by avoiding flexion of the joint, it is possible to release the pressure on the nerve itself.
Step 4. Try to sleep
The body uses the extra hours of sleep to heal and repair injuries. If necessary, try to get a few more hours of sleep each night until you feel better or the pain subsides. An extra couple of hours of rest significantly reduces pain and symptoms.
This, together with immobilization of the limb, is a very effective method. In fact, the more you sleep, the less you move. Not only do you limit the use of the affected area, but the whole body has time to regenerate during sleep
Step 5. Use a brace or splint
In some cases it is not possible to rest the area as you would like, because you have to cope with certain commitments such as school, work or other chores. In these cases, it is worth using a brace or splint to help immobilize the limb, while still allowing you to perform certain basic activities.
- For example, if the pinched nerve is in the neck, use a collar to keep the muscles in place throughout the day.
- If the pinched nerve is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, then wear a wrist or elbow brace, also called a "volar splint," to prevent unnecessary arm movement.
- You can buy braces at pharmacies and orthopedics stores. Follow the instructions you find in the package; if you have any concerns or concerns, ask your pharmacist or doctor for more details.
Step 6. Apply cold and warm compresses
A pinched nerve often is accompanied by swelling which, in turn, presses the nerve tissue even more. To reduce edema and improve blood circulation, you should alternate ice packs with hot ones on the affected area, following the method called hydrotherapy. Apply the ice pack for 15 minutes, 3-4 times a day, to reduce inflammation. Then place a warm compress on the area for an hour for 4-5 evenings a week, until the symptoms improve.
- Place a commercial or homemade ice pack on the sore body part and apply gentle pressure. Pressure and ice soothe the pain. Remember to put a soft cloth between your skin and the ice to avoid frostbite. Do not use the compress for more than 15 minutes, as it slows down blood flow and therefore healing.
- After the ice pack you need to use hot water or a warmer to stimulate blood circulation and speed up the recovery process. Do not heat the area for more than an hour, or you will worsen the inflammation.
- You can also take a very hot bath or soak the affected limb in warm water to relax the muscles and increase blood flow.
Step 7. Get a massage
Applying proper pressure to the damaged nerve relieves tension and reduces pain. Undergo a full body massage to relax the muscles and therefore also the sore muscles. You can also opt for a gentle and targeted manipulation right on the compressed nerve area; in this way you help the nerve itself to heal and enjoy immediate relief.
- You can also massage the affected limb yourself. Work your fingers on the area to increase blood circulation and relax the muscles, so as to relieve some compression.
- Do not do deep tissue massages and do not apply excessive pressure as you could unnecessarily strain and compress the affected nerve.
Step 8. Take medication
In the pharmacy there are many medicines for free sale that can help you in the treatment of this ailment. Try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin that reduce pain and swelling.
Strictly follow the instructions on the leaflet and pay particular attention to the warnings. If you have doubts about the dosage and side effects, ask your doctor for advice, especially if you are already following another drug therapy
Step 9. See your doctor
If the symptoms and pain do not subside but recur consistently over the course of several weeks or months, then you should see a doctor. You should also undergo an examination if the methods suggested so far provide initial relief and then lose effectiveness.
- Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience constant numbness or pain, despite almost complete immobilization, or if you lose muscle strength over time.
- Go to the hospital immediately if the symptoms are very severe, if the area becomes cold, very pale or blue.
Part 2 of 3: Treating a Compressed Nerve at Home in the Long Run
Step 1. Do low impact exercises
You can rest the damaged nerve, but at the same time maintain optimal blood circulation which, in addition to good oxygenation and toned muscles, contributes to healing. Keep a conservative approach in your daily activities and only do the jobs you feel you can do. Try swimming or go for a walk. In this way, you move the muscles naturally without putting excessive stress on the joints and tendons surrounding the compressed nerve.
- Inactivity causes muscle tone and strength to be lost, and it also extends recovery times.
- Maintain good posture when resting or exercising. This way you can release the tension on the area.
- A normal weight allows you to prevent this kind of ailment.
Step 2. Increase your calcium intake
One of the factors that can trigger this kind of ailment is the lack of calcium. You can get more of it by eating foods that are rich in it, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach. Doing so promotes nerve healing and your overall health.
- You can also take calcium with supplements. You can buy them at the pharmacy in the parapharmacy for daily consumption. Follow the instructions in the package carefully or ask your doctor for advice if you don't know the exact dosage. Never exceed the suggested dosage.
- Check the labels of packaged foods to see if they have been fortified with calcium. Many food industries offer "fortified" versions of their regular products.
Step 3. Eat more potassium-rich food
Potassium is the most important ion involved in cellular metabolism. Since its deficiency weakens the connections between the nerves, it can also contribute to the symptoms of the compressed nerve. By increasing your dietary consumption, you can restore the balance of nerve function and find relief from symptoms.
- Foods that contain a lot of potassium are apricots, bananas, avocados and nuts. Liquids such as skim milk or orange juice are also perfect for increasing the absorption of this mineral.
- Potassium supplements, just like calcium supplements, should be taken daily in conjunction with a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor before purchasing supplements, especially if you have other diseases (such as kidney conditions) or take other medications. You may need a blood test to check potassium levels before deciding to use supplements.
- Hypokalaemia must be diagnosed by a doctor, and he or she may recommend a potassium-rich diet to resolve this after identifying the underlying cause of the imbalance. See your doctor if you think potassium deficiency may be the trigger for your pinched nerve.
Part 3 of 3: Healing the Compressed Nerve with the Help of a Doctor
Step 1. Get examined by a physiotherapist
If you continue to have problems, and have not been successful with any of the methods described so far, consider seeing a physical therapist. He will teach you special stretching exercises and other movements that allow you to relieve compression and pain on the nerve. Some exercises need to be done with the support of a licensed practitioner or partner who knows how to guide you, so don't try to do them yourself.
Over time, the physiotherapist may recommend new exercises that you can do on your own, but always follow his instructions and do not attempt any maneuvers on your own, unless he has told you otherwise
Step 2. Consider getting epidural corticosteroid injections
This treatment, which is mainly used to treat compression of the sciatic nerve, relieves pain and helps the nerve to heal. During this procedure, a doctor (and only a doctor) performs an injection directly into the spine. After evaluating the severity of your situation and the type of compression, the specialist may offer you this solution.
Epidural corticosteroid injections provide pain relief quickly and effectively. However, it is a procedure that is only performed by a qualified specialist; Although side effects and dangers are considered quite rare, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, back pain and bleeding from the injection site can sometimes occur
Step 3. Discuss the surgery with your doctor
If the pain is severe or symptoms do not subside with other treatments, surgery may be the best solution for some cases of pinched nerve. This relieves the pressure on the nerve or removes some of the tissues that compress it. The first benefits can be found once the convalescence is over and, although relapses are always possible, they remain rare.
- If the pinched nerve is in the wrist, then the muscle may need to be cut to relieve the pressure.
- The pinched nerve from a herniated disc can be treated with partial or complete removal of the disc, followed by stabilization of the spine.
Step 4. Work to avoid symptoms returning
Once the pain and numbness have diminished or disappeared it is essential to continue exercising correctly, maintaining correct posture and biomechanics, as well as avoiding the risk factors described above. The recovery time from this disorder is subject to numerous factors, such as the severity of the nerve damage, the consistency in the therapeutic regimen and the main cause that triggered the problem.
When the compressed nerve is in the back, healing is usually complete. Acute low back pain caused by nerve compression usually subsides within six weeks in 90% of patients
Step 5. Avoid relapses
In most cases, people recover completely and the symptoms subside with the right treatment. To avoid a new injury, do not perform the repetitive movements that triggered the first compression. The most important thing to do is to listen to your body. If a gesture starts to generate pain or you notice the appearance of some symptoms of the compressed nerve, stop the activity immediately and put the limb to rest.
- Collaborate with your doctor to develop a therapeutic and preventive regimen; finds a good balance between use, rest and immobilization of the area affected by the first compression.
- As a preventative method, using a brace can help.
Advice
- If symptoms appear suddenly or after an injury, go to the emergency room immediately.
- The time it takes for a compressed nerve to completely heal depends on how much the nerve has been damaged. As these structures begin to regenerate from root to tip, it may take weeks or months for complete healing.
- If you have back pain, see an osteopath or chiropractor for spinal manipulation. This technique takes the pressure off the nerve so it can heal.
