How Can I Heal a Pinched Nerve Fast?

Whether you wake up with a sharp pain in your neck or back from sleeping in the wrong position, or you have numbness that is radiating down your arm into your leg, it’s clear that something is wrong. You likely have a pinched nerve, which can be a pain (literally!)

But what exactly is a pinched nerve, and how can you heal it fast? Our medical team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills explains!

What is a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when pressure or force is put on a nerve, often due to inflammation, causing it to send pain signals to the brain. Pinched nerves can be caused by sleeping in the wrong position or by damage to the nerve. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and numbness.

You should never put off seeking care for a pinched nerve as it can lead to serious complications. A pinched nerve will often need to be treated by a chiropractor, but there are some home remedies that you can try to get some pain relief.

Keep reading to learn more!

Remedies for Pinched Nerves

Though we recommend seeking chiropractic care for a pinched nerve, you can try these home remedies to get some relief before your appointment.

#1. Rest

Sleep and rest are essential for healing a pinched nerve. The body repairs itself during sleep, so getting rest may reduce symptoms more quickly.

In many cases, resting the affected area and getting extra rest is enough to allow the pinched nerve to heal on its own.

Even if you get extra rest, try not to overuse the nerve, and try to sleep in a position that relieves the pressure to help it heal.

#2. Change Your Posture

A pinched nerve can be caused or made worse by poor posture. Sitting at your desk or standing with an incorrect posture can put unnecessary stress on the body, which can strain the spine and muscles, leading to a pinched nerve.

Using cushions, neck rest, ergonomic chairs, or desks, can help relieve the pressure and allow the nerve to heal. (Plus, help prevent them in the first place!)

#3. Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and relieve the pain associated with minor pinched nerves.

Remember, with any drug, consult with a doctor for dosage recommendations and any potential interactions before treating your pinched nerve with NSAIDs like ibuprofen.

#4. Stretching

Gentle stretching and yoga can help relieve tension and pressure around the pinched nerve. It is important to not stretch too deeply though, as this can make symptoms worse.

If you feel any pain or discomfort with stretching, stop immediately to avoid damaging the nerve any further.

#5. Manual

Having a manual can help reduce the physical pain and inflammation caused by a pinched nerve. Applying gentle pressure around the affected area can help relieve tension, and a full body manual will help the muscles relax.

Deep tissue manual may not be a clever idea, as the extra pressure can make symptoms worse.

#6. Elevate the Legs

If you have a pinched nerve in your back, you may find relief by elevating your legs to help remove pressure from the spine.

Try putting a few pillows under your knees so your legs are at a 45-degree angle to the body. This should help!

#7. Heat & Ice

Alternating between heat and ice packs can help reduce inflammation and pain from a pinched nerve.

Hold an ice pack over the affected area for 15 minutes at a time, three times a day.
Heat pads can be used up to an hour three times a day.

#8. Make Lifestyle Changes

In the long term, including low-impact exercise such as walking, biking, or swimming into your daily routine can help keep your body in shape and reduce pinched nerves. Losing extra weight can help reduce the pressure on the nerves, and the added mobility from regular workouts can help reduce overall inflammation in the body.

Relief from Pinched Nerves

If you need relief from a pinched nerve, come visit our chiropractors at Impact Medical Zephyrhills. With our comprehensive approach, we will help reduce the inflammation near the nerve, reducing pain, and enhancing mobility.

Say goodbye to pinched nerve pain. Call Impact Medical Zephyrhills for an appointment today at (813) 706-5156!