A pinched nerve is the result muscles, bones, connective tissue or other organs in the body putting pressure on a nerve. Because nerves are sensitive, a pinched nerve can cause a variety of symptoms, such as numbness, tingling and severe pain. Pinched nerves can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in areas where nerves are traveling over bones and joints, such as the shoulder or the hip. You can alleviate pain from a pinched nerve either by reducing the inflammation around the nerve or by trying to give the nerve more support and space to eliminate the pressure.
Step 1
Rest the affected area, avoiding activities that cause pain. You may need to wear a splint to immobilize affected joints.
Step 2
Take NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may reduce the pain and also limit inflammation, which can also pinch the nerve.
Step 3
Make a few lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight and including flexibility and strength exercises in your workout routine (or making these your workout routine if you don't have one) can help alleviate pinched nerve symptoms. Having good posture and avoiding repetitive exercises can also limit pinched nerve pain.
Step 4
Go to a physical therapist. A trained physical therapist can help you with muscle stretching and strengthening exercises for affected muscles.
Step 5
Receive corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroids are powerful medications that can reduce inflammation and can be given only by a doctor.
Step 6
Undergo surgery. If conservative treatments have not reduced the pain after several weeks, then surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the pinched nerve. This may involve shaving off portions of a bone, cutting tissue to give nerves more room or removing a herniated disc in the back to take pressure off a nerve.
Things You'll Need
- NSAIDs
- Physical therapist
- Corticosteroids
- Splint (optional)
