Getting a pinched nerve can be devastating to your health and wellness, and it is not just the excruciating pain you will have to endure. The pain will affect other areas of your life, like work and leisure activities, which can result in lost time you can’t get back. Depending on the severity of the pain, you may also need to take time off to rest and recover.
While simple remedies can help momentarily relieve the pain, they are not long-term solutions. This blog will discuss how you can combat back pain due to a pinched nerve and live a better quality of life.
When you have back pain, it can be tempting to blame the problem on yourself. You might think that because you slouch or don't exercise enough, your back is telling you that it's time to get into better shape. But while these factors can contribute to your condition, they're not likely the cause of your pain.
In most cases, doctors find that there are other reasons for back problems than bad posture and lack of exercise. The types of injuries and conditions that may cause a pinched nerve include:
These conditions can lead to or exacerbate a pinched nerve, which will then definitely aggravate your back pain.
Back pains caused by a pinched nerve are often due to the compression of a particular nerve in your body near or around the lower region of your spine. This causes inflammation and irritation, leading to muscle spasms or weakness, numbness and tingling sensations in your limbs (neuropathy), and even paralysis if left untreated. Your doctor or upper cervical chiropractor will assess your condition before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Thirty minutes of sitting at a time, even if you are active during the day and may go to the gym or do other physical activities, can strain your back muscles. When sitting, make sure that your chair is comfortable and ergonomically designed to support both feet. You can also use a wedge pillow, which raises your hip to level with the rest of your body.
Limit standing for long periods of time as well. Although standing may seem like an easy alternative to sitting, it can actually cause more strain on your lower back. That is because it does not allow for regular movement throughout your body and requires different muscles to stabilize yourself when standing versus sitting down.
Therefore, try limiting any prolonged standing activities such as working retail jobs or waiting in line at grocery stores.
Cold compresses can help relieve inflammation and numbing and provide soothing relief from the pain. They can also encourage blood flow to the affected area, which in turn will help reduce swelling—an important part of healing.
A hot compress can provide pain relief and help temporarily improve circulation. You should avoid applying too much heat or using heating pads for long periods because they can cause more damage to your muscles by interfering with their natural blood supply and causing muscle spasms or even contractions (which would result in more pain).
While the pain relievers may not be able to cure your pinched nerve completely, they can help reduce the inflammation associated with it. This will help you feel much better and get through the day without as many aches and pains. And if you have trouble sleeping because of back pain, over-the-counter pain relievers may also help you get some sleep.
If you do not respond to over-the-counter medication, visit a doctor. Though the pain may be mild, it's still important to get it checked out by a professional. Doctors have better tools and more experience to help with your pain. They may prescribe stronger medication or refer you to a specialist like an orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist, a therapist, or an upper cervical chiropractor who can determine the treatment option most appropriate for your case.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a natural and very safe way to relieve pinched nerves by simple physical correction of misalignment in order to relieve discomfort. It is a well-known effective care option for pinched nerves. Although it may take some time or a couple of sessions to see results, it will be lasting and pain-free. Upper cervical chiropractors have the skills and ability to help you solve your problems with your back pain – caused by a pinched nerve – by ensuring your spine is aligned correctly, and your whole body is well-balanced.
If you are hurting from back pain that is not getting better, it may be from a pinched nerve. The good news is that finding an accredited chiropractor in the United States is not very difficult anymore! You can get a chiropractor near you from the Upper Cervical Awareness extensive list of chiropractors. In addition, visiting the Upper Cervical Awareness page will give you access to more information on what Upper Cervical Chiropractic is, as well as why it has been proven to be an effective care alternative for a lot of people who suffer from chronic pain conditions and pinched nerves.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
