When a person has damage to a nerve, she can have a pinched nerve. Surrounding tissue can put pressure on a nerve, also resulting in a pinched nerve. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that a pinched nerve can result in numbness or a burning sensation. Treatment can reduce a patients' discomfort.
Rest
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that rest is the recommended treatment for a pinched nerve. For example, if a patient has a pinched nerve in her wrist, she should not type on a keyboard or lift objects that put strain on that area.
Physical Therapy
Patients with pinched nerves may undergo physical therapy. The Mayo Clinic's website explains that a physical therapist will help patients strengthen the muscles that relieve pressure on the nerve. A physical therapist can also help patients modify activities that worsen the symptoms of the pinched nerve. For example, if a patient has a pinched nerve in his hip, the physical therapist will help the patient walk without aggravating the nerve as much. Some pinched nerve patients may need to use supportive devices to reduce the strain on the affected nerve, such as a splint.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Medication can help with pinched nerves, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. Examples include ibuprofen and naproxen, though a doctor may give a patient a prescription-strength NSAID if needed. Besides helping with the pain from the pinched nerve, the NSAID also reduces the inflammation around the nerve.
Corticosteroid Injections
The Mayo Clinic's website points out that some pinched nerve patients may benefit from corticosteroid injections. When a patient has a corticosteroid injection, the doctor administers it directly to the affected area. Like NSAIDs, the corticosteroid injections reduce both the pain and inflammation from the pinched nerve.
Surgery
In some cases, patients may need surgery to treat the pinched nerves. The Mayo Clinic's website notes that doctors perform surgery for a pinched nerve when other treatments do not work. If scar tissue has formed around the affected nerve and puts pressure on the nerve, the surgeon can remove that tissue. Cedars-Sinai explains that the surgeon can also remove a disc or bone spur if they push on the nerve, causing the pinched nerve. Once the surgeon removes the cause of the pinched nerve, patients do not have any of the former discomfort.
