What to Do For a Pinched Nerve

spinal stenosis

Do you know what to do for a pinched nerve? Those who live with this painful condition know how excruciating a pinched nerve can be. You may recognize a pinched nerve by intense radiating pain. Some people describe it as being stabbed by a red hot ice pick. People who have a pinched nerve in their lower back may feel radiating pain that shoots all the way down their leg. Others reports tingling and numbness. Either way, a pinched nerve is serious trouble that needs to be dealt with.

Nerves are the communication channels from the brain to the body and vice versa. Some nerves travel down the length of your spine. Other nerves, called peripheral nerves, leave your spine and branch out to other parts of your body. Due to various conditions, all nerves are vulnerable to being pinched, compressed, or stretched. Since these nerves are important communication channels, any pinching or irritation along these nerves can result in severe pain or discomfort.

So what to do for a pinched nerve? There are several options. This first step is to treat the pain. Your doctor may recommend various pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and probably some form of heat or ice therapy. The trick is to reduce the pressure at the point of compression along the nerve. You should avoid any activity that seems to make the problem worse. The anti-inflammatory drugs and ice/heat therapy will help reduce any swelling and give the area time to heal.

Your doctor may also recommend some form of stretching or physical therapy. This is because you may have developed some form of muscle imbalance. A muscle imbalance is simply a condition where one group of muscles becomes stronger and tighter than the opposing group of muscles. These muscle imbalances develop naturally over time as a result of your lifestyle, posture, and work habits. Over time, these imbalances will slowly warp your spine and pelvis out of alignment. This often results bulging disks, spinal stenosis, and other conditions that can pinch the nerves. Therefore, these muscle imbalances are usually the root cause of almost all pinched/impinged nerves and back pain.

If you only treat the pain and neglect these underlying conditions, don't be surprised if the pain quickly returns. Treating the pain is not the same as curing the condition. My best advice for what to do for a pinched nerve is to educate yourself on muscle balance therapy techniques. Many people have found this to be the most effective strategy for long term pain relief.