Relief for Your Pinched Nerves

Whether you experience numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain from pinched nerves, you typically want relief as quickly as possible. At Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute in Plainsboro and Manalapan Township, New Jersey, our team is led by Dr. Ronak Patel, where we diagnose and treat pinched nerves with various procedures. 

We also provide guidance on how to relieve your pinched nerves on your own. Depending on the severity of your pinched nerves, you can play an active role in treating them.

How pinched nerves occur

Pinched nerves develop when too much pressure gets applied to them by surrounding tissues. As the pressure intensifies, it disrupts your nerves’ function, which causes uncomfortable symptoms.

Since you have nerves throughout your body, they’re susceptible to getting pinched at any time. For example, the overuse of your wrist can cause inflammation around the nerves in that area. The inflammation causes the nerves to be squeezed, which results in pain and weakness in your fingers and hand. 

Or, a herniated disc in your lower back could put pressure on your nerves, causing pain to travel down the back of your leg.

Most people can recover from pinched nerves with rest and other home remedies.

Ways to treat your pinched nerves on your own

Try these remedies to relieve or prevent pinched nerves:

Shift your posture

When you stay in one position for too long, pressure can start to bear down on your nerves. Change your posture frequently to prevent that from happening or to provide relief.

Stretch

Gentle stretching helps your blood circulate and relieves pressure on your nerves, which can improve your symptoms. But don’t overdo it. Simply stretch the area in small increments for the best impact.

Apply heat

If your nerves are surrounded by tight muscles, applying heat relaxes your muscles and increases blood flow. Putting a heating pad on the affected area for 10-15 minutes at a time is effective.

Apply ice

Inflammation around your nerves causes them to be pinched. Ice reduces swelling, which relieves the pressure applied to your nerves. Put ice in a towel and apply it for 10-15 minutes for relief.

Elevate your legs

If you have a pinched nerve in your lower back, elevate your legs, creating a 90° bend in your hips and knees to relieve the pressure.

Wear a splint

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or hand and wrist arthritis, wearing a splint can keep your wrist stable and supported, helping you avoid inflammation that causes pinched nerves.

Over-the-counter pain reliever

Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide relief when you follow the directions on the bottle. However, let our team give guidance on the best pain relievers to take for your condition.

If you don’t find relief with home remedies, or if your symptoms are more severe, you may require our professional care for treatment. We provide many treatments for nerve injuries, including nerve blocks.

To learn more about how to get relief for your pinched nerves, call our office or book your appointment online today.