Preventative Pinched Nerve Measures

Use a Quality Mattress

A good mattress can protect your back while you are in bed for many hours during the night.  It can support your body and is important in helping to relieve stress on the muscles and joints of the back.

Use a Quality Chair

A good chair will provide proper lumbar pressure.  The right amount of pressure will keep the curve of the spine supported in the correct position.  If your chair does not provide proper lumbar support, you can purchase an insert to provide this support.  However, it is important that you do not purchase one that is too large because too much lumbar support can compress and irritate the spine.

You can also purchase an ergonomic style chair that can be adjusted.  Properly adjusting your chair is important.  Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor.  Adjust the tilt angle of the seat to change the position of your pelvis.  Tilt the front of the seat downward to bring your lower back into extension, which can increase the lower lumbar curve.  If you need to decrease the lower lumbar curve, tilt the front of the seat upward.

Non-Surgical Pinched Nerve Treatment Options

Soft Back Brace

A back brace can help to support fatigued muscles and temporarily relieve irritated tissue in the initial stage of the pinched nerve.  However, it is important that you do not use a back brace for an extended period of time.  If you wear it too long, it can weaken your back musculature because the muscles will begin to rely on the brace for good posture.   Find a brace that puts pressure directly over the irritated area only.  This will protect the tissue, but will also allow the rest of your back muscles to be used.

Traction Devices

While traction devices can be helpful for a pinched nerve, it is important that you do not use unless they have been prescribed by your doctor.  You can obtain lumbar traction through different products.  A chiropractor can use a traction device to produce a pumping motion that can act like a vacuum to pull any protruded disc material inward while opening any compressed canals in the spine.

Ultrasound Pinched Nerve Treatment

An ultrasound can stimulate proper tissue healing.  When a pinched nerve has caused soft tissue irritation to the back, an ultrasound can generate crystal vibrating inside the head of the ultrasound and then can be transmitted through sound, which conducts gel to the tissue.  The sound waves will break down unwanted scar tissue, increase circulation to this area, and help to relax the musculature.

Ice Packs

Ice can help to reduce inflammation and numb the pain associated with a pinched nerve.  However, ice can temporarily tighten the musculature even more.  Do not use ice longer than 20 minutes as this will cause a reversal action that can allow the tissue to become more inflamed.  It is recommended that you combine a brace and ice gel pad for lower back inflammation.  This will help to put more firm pressure over the irritated area.  This will also provide support over the injured area while providing ice pinched nerve therapy.

Hot Packs

These are useful for increasing the circulation and loosening up the muscle tissue.  Hold off on using heat pinched nerve therapy until three days after the onset of the pinched nerve.  This will give the swelling time to go down since heat can increase the inflammation in muscles.  Moist heat is a better option than dry heat because there is less of a risk for dehydration to the musculature.  Use a moist heat pack that contains beads that activate upon being heated in a microwave to give off moist steam without having to add water.

Topical Analgesics Pinched Nerve Treatment

There are a variety of over-the-counter sports creams, ointments, and sprays that have analgesic properties that can help to control the pain.  They do not have intestinal side-effects.  Look for pinched nerve treatment that contains menthol as the active ingredient because it works to block the pain receptors, which can help to relieve pain in the soft tissue and joints.

Surgery

Surgery is an option for pinched nerve treatment.  It will be the absolute last option your doctor will recommend as pinched nerve treatment.

Common Misconceptions of a Pinched Sciatic Nerve

Many times people will consider any form of pain that radiates into the leg as sciatica.  This is not the case.  If the pain originates from a joint, this is not sciatica.  If the pain originates from the nerve, this is truly sciatica.

Pain that is caused from arthritis or other joint health conditions can actually feel just like sciatica.  The pain can feel like it is a shooting sharp pain.  While it may feel just like a pinched sciatic nerve, it is not.

Another common misconception of a pinched sciatic nerve is that it is an actual health condition.  Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis.  Sciatica describes the pain that radiates down the leg due to compression of the sciatic nerve.  The problem that is causing the compression is the actual diagnosis.  For example, a herniated disc (diagnosis) could be causing the sciatica (symptom).

Characteristics of Pinched Sciatic Nerve Pain

The characteristics of pinched sciatic nerve pain you may experience will depend on the severity and condition causing the symptoms. The most common characteristics of leg pain caused from a pinched sciatic nerve are:

• Pain occurs in one leg and not both.
• Pain starts in the lower back or buttock and radiates down the back of your thigh and into the lower leg and/or foot.
• Pain is generally described as sharp, rather than throbbing or a dull ache.  It is also described as a burning sensation.
• Pain is usually worse when you are standing or sitting still and feels better when you lie down or walk.

Other characteristics include:

• Pressure
• Numbness
• Prickling sensation
• Tingling
• Weakness

These characteristics will radiate down your leg and into your foot.

Treatment Pinched Sciatic Nerve

Treatment will depend on the severity of the pain and/or symptoms.  If you experience loss of bowel or bladder control, progressive weakness or complete loss of sensation in your legs, you must contact a physician immediately.  Surgery is an option for severe cases; however, there are many home remedies you can try first.   Here are just a few:

• Anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation
• Pain medication (prescribed or over the counter) to reduce pain.
• Put one pillow under your knees when you lie down to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Lie down on a firm mattress or on the floor.  Do not do this for more than three days.  Too much rest is not very effective and can even worsen your symptoms.
• Apply a hot or cold pack to your back and upper legs.
• Avoid lifting anything.
• Do not bend or sit in soft chairs.
• Eat a diet that is rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables to prevent constipation.  The strain from constipation can irritate the sciatic nerve.

Sciatic exercises, such as the low back stretch, the cat stretch, the hamstring stretch, and yoga, are also important for your recovery.  Make sure to get approval from your doctor before you begin any new exercise routine.

Sciatic exercises work the tense and stiff muscles.  They help to realign your posture, improve flexibility and range of motion, and reduce the risk for future flare-ups.  They also help to strengthen your leg muscles, improve circulation in your legs and increase flexibility in your hips.  Sciatic nerve exercises can be very helpful for a pinched sciatic nerve.

Pinched Nerve in Leg Causes

Your leg only has a few major nerves; therefore, there are only a few places where the nerves can become pinched.  Your doctor will be able to determine the cause through a clinical examination.  A nerve test called an EMG is also a possibility if additional information is required to make a diagnosis.  The following are general areas where a pinched nerve in the leg can occur:

• Buttock – Pain that radiates down the back of the leg is generally called sciatica. It can occur when your piriformis muscle that runs in the middle of the buttock spasms and compresses your large sciatic nerve.
• Knee – A major branch of the sciatic nerve called the peroneal nerve wraps around the outside of the knee just below the skin.  It is prone to becoming compressed, especially when you cross your legs.
• Ankle – A nerve inside the tarsal tunnel located inside the ankle can become compressed.  This is called tarsal tunnel syndrome.  The tunnel is formed with bones and overlying connective tissue where the nerves and tendons travel to the foot.
• Foot – On the undersurface of the foot between the third and fourth toes, there is a knot of thickened tissue that can form around an irritated nerve.  This is called Morton’s Neuroma.  It is commonly the result of wearing tight shoes.  The constant pressure or irritation on the forefoot can cause a pinched nerve in your leg.

A pinched nerve in your leg during pregnancy is generally caused from the additional weight pushing down on the spine because of your growing uterus.  A pinched nerve can also occur during pregnancy because the expanded uterus in the pelvic region can press against the nerve.

Pinched Nerve in Leg Symptoms

While a pinched nerve can occur anywhere in your body, the symptoms you experience will depend on the location of the compression.  A pinched nerve in your leg can cause the following symptoms:

• Numbness – This can cause difficulty with movement and can make your leg feel heavy or uncontrollable.  You may describe this numbness as your leg or foot has fallen asleep.
• Muscle Spasms – The muscles in your legs may have spasms or twitches.  They can occur without warning and can even cause your leg to give out.  This could then result in further injury.
• Pain – Pain can radiate down the nerve to your foot or up into your hip and abdomen.  The pain can be described as a burning sensation or a sharp and severe pain.
• Muscle Weakness – When your muscles become weak, you could have difficulty standing or staying in the same position for a long period of time.  You may also experience reduced mobility and speed.
• Tingling – Tingling or prickling sensations are also called paresthesia.  These are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your leg depending on where the nerve is being compressed.  You may also experience tingling in your knees, feet, and toes.
• Sleep Issues – It can be difficult to find a comfortable sleep position because your leg is in the prone position for increased pressure.  This can interfere with sleeping.

There are a variety of home treatments you can try to relieve the pressure.  Physical therapy is a common treatment.  It can help to loosen the muscle, as well as the grip on the nerve.  While surgery is an option, it is not generally a necessity for treating a pinched nerve in the leg.

Pinched Nerve in Arm Causes and Symptoms

The symptoms you experience will depend on the cause.  The most common causes for a pinched nerve in the arm are carpal tunnel syndrome and elbow injuries.  While these are the most common, there are other causes that can be a possibility, though they are rare.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

This condition is associated with repetitive movements with your hand.  Factory line work, typing, carpentry work, and sports that require repetitive movements like tennis, are common reasons for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms for carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Numbness in the first two fingers
• Pain at the wrist
• Loss of grip strength

These symptoms can affect the entire hand and radiate up the arm.  Symptoms will worsen with movement.  These symptoms have been known to wake people up during sleep due to movement and position of their hand.

Elbow Injuries

A pinched nerve in the arm caused by an elbow injury is also common.  Fractures, direct blows, severe twisting, and dislocations can be examples of an elbow injury that can result in a pinched nerve in the arm.  Forceful flexion and extension of your elbow can occur when you are rear ended in a car accident and your hands are holding the steering wheel time at the point of impact.

Pronator Syndrome

This is a rare condition where the median nerve can become pinched.  This is the same nerve that can be pinched by carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist; however, pronator syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve at the elbow.

Entrapment of the Ulnar Nerve

Entrapment of the unlar nerve at the wrist is a rare condition that can result in a lesion, such as a ganglion cyst, lipoma, or an unlar artery aneurism that can take up space and cause pressure on the nerve.

Repetitive trauma can cause this condition.  Repetitive trauma can be the result of using a jackhammer or using the bone of your hand as a hammer.  This type of compression is more common with people who suffer from arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, or thyroid problems.

Those who are diagnosed with this condition do not generally feel pain.  In fact, most people will complain about weakness and numbness on the outside edge of the hand.  When the entrapment is located at the wrist, sensory and/or motor changes can occur.  This can cause a tingling sensation over the ring and little fingers and at the tip of the little finger.  You may also experience weakness of the muscles that you use to spread your fingers apart.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

This rare condition can cause numbness or tingling in your hand.  It generally affects the long ring finger and small finger.  It is most often caused by tight neck muscles, also called scalenes.

Pinched Nerve in Arm Treatment

Resting the affected area is one of the first steps.  Pain medication is also an option to help reduce the pain.  Your doctor could prescribe corticosteroid injections if splinting and physical therapy is necessary.

It is possible that you will need to make some changes in your life, such as a new occupational routine, if possible.  If this is not a possibility, you may need to take into consideration a new career.  Surgery will be the final option for a pinched nerve in your arm.

Pinched Nerve in Shoulder Causes

A pinched nerve in your shoulder can be the result of a variety of reasons.  Here are just a few causes that can cause shoulder pain from a pinched nerve:

• Shoulder injuries (blunt trauma)
• Rotator cuff tear
• Unstable shoulder
• Ganglion cyst
• Crutch use
• Repetitive sports injury
• Unusual anatomy

It is possible that you can have a pinched nerve in your shoulder due to a failed surgery.  Unfortunately, this is a possibility with shoulder surgery.

Pinched Nerve in Shoulder Symptoms

The symptoms you experience will depend on the location of the nerve that is impinged.  Locations are described by a letter and a number.  The most common locations in the shoulder are: C5, C6, C7 and C8.

• C5 – If you have a pinched nerve in this area, you may experience weakness and numbness in your shoulder and in the deltoid region.
• C6 – If you have a pinched nerve in this area, you will likely feel extreme pain from your thumb up to your shoulder.
• C7 – If you have a pinched nerve in this area, you may experience pain that flows from your shoulder to your middle finger
• C8 – If you have a pinched nerve in this area, you may experience pain in the outer section of your hand, especially from your pinky finger up to the middle of your arm.

The basic symptoms for a pinched nerve are weakness, numbness, and pain.  The severity of these symptoms will depend on the severity of the pinched nerve.

Home Treatment Options

While it is important that you contact a doctor if you experience symptoms, there are some things you can try form home to relieve pain or discomfort.  Here are just a few ideas:

Good Posture

This is something that you should already be doing; however, if you have weak back muscles, your posture could be suffering.  Good posture will help to maintain a normal thoracic and cervical curve.  If you have a flat neck at the back, you are more susceptible to disc problems.  If this is the case for you, you need to make sure to keep the muscles of your upper back that are between the shoulder blades strong.

Tennis Ball Massage

This is one of the most effective and simplest methods for self massage.  You can use one ball or create a two ball system.  Put one ball at the bottom of a tube sock, tie a knot, and put the other ball inside.  Tie another knot and cut off the excess sock.  You should now have a peanut shaped back roller.

There are a few ways to use the ball.  Put the ball on the ground and lie on top of the ball.  Position the ball between your shoulder blades.  You can also use a heavy beam or corner.  Place the ball between your shoulder and the wall.  Rock your body up and down or left and right to work out any knots or tightness you have in your back.

Ice

Ice can help to take away some of the pain.  Heat can cause more swelling and irritations around the nerve area; therefore, an ice pack is your best option. Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen veggies in a dish towel and apply to the affected area.  Keep on the area for as long as you can handle it.

If these home solutions are not effective, you should contact your doctor for further treatment options.  Injections or surgery can be an option for a pinched nerve in the shoulder; however, they should be considered as a last resort.

Pinched Nerve in Upper Back

A pinched nerve in your back can actually cause symptoms to occur throughout your body.  A pinched nerve in your upper back can cause symptoms from your shoulder to your fingers.   You may experience sharp pain or a dull aching pain.  The severity of the pain will depend on the pressure that is being placed on the nerve.

Your muscles may become weak because when there is pressure on the nerves, you may not be able to produce as much force as you could without this pressure.  You may experience a loss of sensation and/or a “pins and needles” sensation down to your fingertips.  When a nerve in your upper back becomes impinged, it is common to have back spasms.

Pinched Nerve in Lower Back

A pinched nerve in your lower back is also common.  There are many causes for this pressure; however, the most common is the surrounding tissue putting pressure on the nerve due to muscle imbalances.  There are tests that can be performed to target these unbalances so they can be corrected.

There are many possibilities as to how you can get a pinched nerve in your back, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.  Imbalances are even more common.  The following scenario is a common situation that can cause an imbalance which can result in a pinched nerve in your back.

If you spend a lot of time driving, your right foot is constantly on the brakes or accelerator, while your other foot is not being used.  As time goes on, you may have a habit of sitting more on the left buttock while you put your right hip in a hiking position.

Over time, you can begin to feel pain in the right buttock that will go down the back of your right leg.  A pinched nerve in the back can be caused because the lower back has become shortened, which can result to nerve pressure or can cause tension on the piriformis muscle that can result to pressure on the nerve that stimulates the back portion of your thigh.

Instant Temporary Treatments for Pinched Nerve in Back

While surgery is a more permanent treatment, it is generally the absolute final treatment plan considered.  There are some options you can try that can provide instant relief.  Here are just a few options:

• Muscle Relaxant – These are effective when a muscle is directly applying pressure on a nerve.  They can relax your muscle, which will take pressure off of the nerve.  It is not a permanent fix; however, it can provide instant relief until the relaxant stops working.  There are injections that can be injected into your lower back; however, these are not recommended because they can be expensive and only treat the symptoms instead of the actual imbalance issue.
• Back Brace – A back brace can help to support weak back muscles, which can let irritated tissue heal.  However, it is important that you do not rely on a back brace for too long because your muscles can weaken.  Only use a back brace as initial relief from pain, but not as a long term treatment plan.
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs – If you have any inflamed areas, they can swell and increase the pressure on the nerves.  Anti-inflammatory drugs can help to reduce the inflammation; therefore, they will reduce the pressure.   They are only effective if you, in fact, have inflammation and should only be used for temporary relief.
• Exercises and Stretching – Specific exercise and stretching positions can help the area to heal quicker.  They can strengthen the weaker muscles, as well as stretch the stronger muscles.  It is important to contact a doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.

Rest is very important in the early stages of a pinched nerve in your back; however, too much rest can inhibit your recovery because it can weaken your muscles and worsen your condition.

Pinched Nerve in Neck Symptoms

The most common symptoms include:

• Pain radiating from the neck
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Burning
• Prickling (peripheral neuropathy)

The symptoms of a pinched nerve in your neck can actually mimic that of vascular health issues, including a heart attack.   Similar to the symptoms of a heart attack, a pinched nerve in this location can cause tingling in the left arm and/or pain in the left chest.  It is extremely important that you visit your doctor if you do experience any of the above symptoms to ensure it is in fact a pinched nerve in your neck and not a vascular health problem.

Type of Pain for Pinched Nerve in Neck

A pinched nerve in the neck can cause acute severe pain or chronic gnawing pain that worsens in the cold weather.  The pain can travel and will likely begin at the base of your neck.  It can then radiate up into your scalp, down your shoulder to your arm and fingers, into the top of your chest, and then into the angle of your shoulder blade or under your arm and into the lower pectoral muscles.

Therapy for Pinched Nerve in Neck

There are some effective therapy procedures that you can try before you consider surgery.  Here are just a few ideas to try:

Maintain Proper Desk Ergonomics

Ensuring you are following proper desk ergonomics throughout your day will help to prevent straining your neck, as well as the rest of your spine.  There are many different things you can do to help support your spine while at your desk.  However, to help prevent or relieve a pinched nerve in the cervical area, you will want to adjust the monitor height.

The monitor should be placed so that the entire screen sits at direct eye level.   Placing the monitor below eye level can strain your upper neck at the base of the skull.  When you look down for long periods of time, this can cause your muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back to become tight.

If necessary, you can use a small shelf to raise the monitor up one to two inches.  An ergonomic furniture site will generally have standing desk units with arms that hold your monitor for sale.  These arms will hold your monitor directly in front of you.

Isometric Neck Exercises

Neck exercises can help to increase your range of motion, as well as strengthen your cervical spine to relieve stiffness and pain.  Neck exercises can help to keep the joints moving and flexible.

It is important to talk with your doctor before you try any new exercises for pain or stiffness in your neck.  Be sure to perform exercises slowly.  You should only be able to feel the stretch, not pain.

One type of neck exercise you can try is to put your hands behind your head.  Be sure to maintain proper neck posture.  Push back with your neck.  Do this for one minute three times a day.   This will help your neck become stronger within about six weeks.

Neck Pillow

A neck pillow can help to cradle your neck while you are sleeping on your back.  This can cushion your neck muscles, which reduces aches, pain, and stiffness.  They allow you to switch positions easily during sleep.

If you feel you may have a pinched nerve in your neck, the best thing you can do is to contact your doctor for further instructions on how to relieve the pain and pressure

Common Pinched Nerve Symptoms

While the area of the symptoms may differ, there are some common symptoms of a pinched nerve that you may experience.  These include pain radiating outward from the injured area, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in your muscles along the path of a nerve.

When you have a pinched nerve “sensation,” you may feel like a specific part of your body has fallen asleep.  Pinched nerve symptoms can occur at the location of the pinched nerve or down the path of the affected nerve.

Numbness

Numbness most often arises from damage or disease of the nerves.  Numbness should not be confused with paralysis.  Numbness is the loss of sensation, while paralysis is the loss of both the ability to move the area and the loss of sensation.

Numbness can follow abnormal pain-like sensations, also described as pins and needles, burning, or prickling sensations.  These sensations are called paresthesias.  Paresthesias can affect your hands, fingers, feet, and any other area of your body where a pinched nerve has occurred.

If the sensations are caused by something simple, such as pressure on the nerves, paresthesias can be reversible.  However, there are some more serious nerve conditions that can also cause paresthesias, such as:  peripheral neuropathy, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.  This is why it is very important that you contact a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of these sensations.

Pain

Your body uses pain to tell the brain that something is not right.  It can vary in intensity and level.  Severe pain is called acute pain.  Pain that is ongoing and persistent is chronic pain.

While there are common symptoms of a pinched nerve, there are common pinched nerve symptoms for a particular area.  Here are just a few that you may experience for a specific area where the damage has been done:

• Neck – Stiffness and/or neck pain, symptoms may radiate up the back of the head and/or into the upper back or chest, weakness in the arm
• Lower Back – Stiffness and/or back pain, stiffness and/or leg pain, sciatica (severe pain radiating down the posterior leg into the buttock and down the back of the leg), radiating pain to the foot
• Wrist – Pain and/or stiffness is generally due to carpal tunnel syndrome and usually affects thumb, index, and middle fingers, weakness in grip strength, atrophy of the muscle of the palm near your thumb
• Elbow – Pain and/or stiffness in the ring finger and small fingers of your hand
• Thoracic Spine – Pain and/or weakness in the mid back, shoulder blade, and chest
• Foot – Pain and/or stiffness is generally caused by tarsal tunnel syndrome and affects the foot and toes

If the pinched nerve comes directly from the spinal cord then coughing or sneezing could aggravate the pain.  If these pinched nerve symptoms last for several days without responding to self care, such as rest and pain medication, contact a doctor immediately.