A pinched nerve is the nerve damage due to immense pressure on the nerve by surrounding tissues, including disc, muscle places, tendons, or bone. It can cause pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and feelings of needles in different body areas. Frequently, it originates in the lower back (due to pressure in a lower spine by herniated disc). Likewise, it can also arise in the upper-middle back, hand, elbow, wrist, or neck. People can recover from the pinched nerves with complete rest and other conservative treatments like medications. Sometimes, in severe cases, surgery is required to alleviate pain. But, physical therapy is also an effective treatment for pinched nerves. Visit a physical therapist company. They will provide better treatment than other treatments like steroidal injections or administrating drugs. However, people with a pinched nerve in the cervical spine may feel stiff neck and numbness that affect arms and shoulder. People with pinched lumbar nerves may experience pain in the hips, back, and legs. Other symptoms may include:
Muscle weakness in the affected area.
Sleepy feelings in different parts of the body.
Pain that increases with sneezing/coughing.
Degenerative arthritis and radiating pain.
Several conditions that cause pinched nerves may also include sudden injuries, awkward lifting, wrist arthritis, stress from repetitive work, sports activities, obesity, pregnancy, and diabetes.
Treatment of Pinched Nerves
Healthcare providers first refer non-surgical treatments to fix nerve compression that include:
Rest
Ice and Heat
Pain Relievers
Splints and Cervical Collars
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a considerable option to alleviate the symptoms of a pinched nerve. According to the patient’s conditions (age, weight, and general health), needs, and the level of your pinched nerve, a physical therapist will plan a treatment program. Physical therapy will increase strength in your muscles which will support the pinched nerve in your body. With proper physical therapy exercises and stretches, the nerve can heal fast. Patients can get their earlier levels of mobility and flexibility and also improve coordination, balance, and posture. Visit physical therapy clinic to meet a physical therapist so that they can organize a routine for you as a method of treating pinched nerves. Physical therapy involves no medications and no hospitalizations. Medications cannot provide long-term benefits. Physical therapy takes less time than surgery, because of which it is the most profitable procedure for treating pinched nerves. Following are the physical therapy stretches and exercises for neck and pain relief.
Side Bends
Walking
Shoulder Rolls
Child’s Pose
Neck Tilts
Head Turns
Try these exercises for quick results and significant improvements.
Surgery
Surgery is the last way to treat pinched nerves. The common types of neck surgeries include:
Anterior Cervical Infusion
It is used to treat a spinal cord compression or pinched nerve with surgical incisions. With this surgery, the disk that creates pain will be removed.
Artificial Disk Replacement
It is used to treat a pinched nerve in your neck with a small incision in front of the neck. With this surgery, surgeons put an artificial disk into the space of the previously located disk.
The common types of back surgeries include:
Laminectomy
It is the most common type of back surgery in which surgeons remove ligaments or bone spurs from your back. It will help relieve pressure and ease the pain on back nerves.
Foraminotomy
Surgeons utilize this surgery to relieve pain due to pinched or compressed nerves in the spine by cutting away bone. This procedure may make your spine less stable.
Moreover
To help prevent a pinched nerve, you need to maintain a healthy weight and good posture. Also, search out for physical therapy center to keep muscles strong and flexible.
