A pinched nerve can occur when there is inflammation or pressure surrounding the nerves and surrounding tissues, which sends warning signals to the brain. Although it can occur anywhere in the body, it is most commonly seen in the neck, elbows, and wrists, and can put you at risk for other conditions such as sciatica, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve can include tingling, burning, numbness, pain, muscle weakness, stinging pain (pins and needles), and limbs falling asleep. If you have a pinched nerve, you may notice that your symptoms worsen when lying down or in the morning upon waking up. However, learning to live with pain is not a good solution, especially if you experience chronic pain in your daily life. Here are a few tips to help prevent and manage chronic pain:

Prevention: Maintaining overall health is essential to preventing pinched nerves, which involves clean eating, exercising, daily stretching, and achieving a healthy weight. However, in some cases, the injury may be severe and require physical therapy.

Tips to Treat and Relieve Pinched Nerve Pain:

• Rest: Extra sleep is excellent for maintaining nerve health, as the body repairs and heals itself while you nap. Often, relaxing the sensitive area is enough to allow the nerve to improve on its own.
• Posture: Poor posture can lead to a pinched nerve, so be mindful of your posture when sitting or standing for extended periods. This stress can lead to spinal and muscle damage and even pinched nerves.
• Stretching and Yoga: Stretching and yoga help relieve tension and pressure in affected areas. However, be careful not to stretch your limbs too deeply, as it may make things worse.
• Massage: Regular massage helps reduce physical pain and stress on your body. Light pressure around the affected area can relieve tension and relax muscles. However, it is recommended to avoid deep tissue massages if you have a pinched nerve, as the added pressure can make the symptoms worse.
• Elevate Your Legs: If your pinched nerve is located in the back, elevating your legs will help release pressure from the spine.
• Ice and Heat: Alternating ice and heat packs can help reduce swelling and inflammation and increase circulation to the area, which helps relieve pain.
• Physical Therapy: A professional can use a combination of exercise, massage, and gentle stretching to help eliminate the symptoms and pain associated with a pinched nerve.

When to Seek Professional Help: If your pain lasts for more than a few days, you should see your doctor promptly, especially if a pinched nerve affects your bladder, you have an inability to grip objects, or nerve damage causing a limb or body part to collapse.

At Ramos Center, we focus on functional pain management, with a holistic approach to health and wellness that encourages our patients to find an individual path that suits their needs. We have a team of skilled professionals on hand, including nutritionists, professional trainers, counselors, and doctors who will customize a plan of action tailored to your needs.

For those with advanced cases of pinched nerves, our staff offers several options to leave you feeling pain-free and fabulous. Contact Ramos Center today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions. We serve patients from Bradenton FL, Sarasota FL, Palmetto FL, Laurel FL, Venice FL, Englewood FL, Memphis FL, Cortez FL, Port Charlotte FL, and Dunedin FL.