Pinched Nerve Treatment – Importance of Seeking Professional Help
Get expert care if pain and other symptoms persist for over a few days. A medical specialist will assess your physical reflexes, strength, and sensation. Imaging tests, including X-rays and CT scans, will also be performed.
To relieve pressure on the nerves, they’ll recommend a steroid drug or certain stretches and exercises. Surgery could be suggested if this doesn’t work.
Rest
Fortunately, the pain associated with pinched nerves is often short-lived in duration. Mild symptoms may be alleviated at home, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help to reduce pressure on the nerves.
Sleep is also important, and people with pinched nerves should avoid activities requiring sudden movements. That means taking a break from lifting, tennis, golf, and running.
If at-home treatment does not provide relief, you should visit a specialist in pinched nerve treatment near me for evaluation. The longer you wait to get help, the more likely your symptoms will persist or worsen. Pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness are all signs of a pinched nerve. Pain specialists can treat the symptoms by reducing pressure on nerves and using other treatment methods.
Ice
A pinched nerve can make your neck, arms, shoulders, hands, and fingers numb, tingly, and painful. Additionally, it may make it difficult for you to work, sleep, or engage in your preferred hobbies. Cervical radiculopathy is the ailment’s name, and it must be treated.
Apply ice for 20 minutes, multiple times daily, to reduce your symptoms. This eases discomfort, lessens swelling, and aids in boosting blood flow.
You should only apply heat to the area with a pinched nerve once you get a professional assessment. However, alternating cold and heat treatments may help reduce swelling and decrease pain. It is also important to identify any movements that worsen your pinched nerve pain and avoid them. This can include certain positions, such as bending forward or lying on your stomach.
Physiotherapy
Nerves in the neck can become pinched, leading to symptoms that affect the neck, arms, and head. For those experiencing a pinched nerve, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial if symptoms persist despite rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication. In such cases, consulting with professionals at facilities like NQ Townsville Physio can provide specialized care.
Physiotherapy can relieve the pain and swelling of a pinched nerve by reducing inflammation, promoting fresh blood flow to the area, and helping relax muscles. It can also help improve the strength and stability of muscles in the affected area to support and protect the injured nerve. Other treatments may include:
*Acupuncture.
*A cold/heat therapy.
*Manual techniques like neuromuscular re-education or PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation).
In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend painkillers or corticosteroids, a back or neck brace, and surgery to take pressure off the affected nerves.
Medication
In most cases, a pinched nerve gets better with time and rest. But if your pain doesn’t go away or returns frequently, you should talk to your doctor about further treatment options.
You may have imaging tests, such as an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan, to find the source of your pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows more detail about the spine and can show whether soft tissue or bone is compressing a nerve.
Your doctor may prescribe painkillers such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or muscle relaxants to help relieve your pain. If these treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the impacted spinal nerve. Our doctors are leaders in herniated disc surgery and have expertise in other surgical procedures for back and neck problems.
Surgery
Most pinched nerves will resolve themselves within 4- to 6 weeks with rest, over-the-counter pain medication, and alternating heat and ice. If symptoms persist, a medical professional can perform an exam to assess the issue and recommend a treatment plan.
Your spinal cord runs downward through a canal in the center of your vertebrae, and nerve roots branch off from the spine to each area of your body. When the nerves in your neck or back are compressed, you may experience sharp pain and other symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness, or burning sensations. Our top neurosurgeons perform surgery to take pressure off a spinal nerve to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. This includes laminoplasty, a minimally-invasive procedure promoting spine and muscle preservation.
